National Security Advisor Condoleeza Rice faced confirmation hearings Tuesday before the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.
Committee member, John Sununu used his time questioning Rice to determine US policy in the Isreali-Palestinian conflict.
The New Hampshire Senator has just returned from monitoring the recent Palestinian Presidential Elections.
But while Israel was an important topic of the day, the Bush Administration's critics chose to focus their questions on the US policy in Iraq.
NHPR Correspondent Julie Donnelly reports from Washington.
In contrast to some of his fellow Senators - both Democrats and Republicans-- Senator Sununu was polite, deferential even.
His goal appeared to be not to challenge Secretary of State Nominee Condoleeza Rice, but simply to gather information.
And Sununu also seemed eager to determine what commitment the Bush Administration had toward solving the Israeli/Palestinian conflict.
" in talking to abu mazin ...put that in the supplemental budget"
Dr. Rice explained that while the Bush Administration has plans to support peace efforts financially, it was also depending on Arab neighbors contributing to the cause.
And she says Arab governments have another job to do.
"the most important thing they can do...in their mosques..."
Sununu also followed other Senators in suggesting what role the US should play in the mideast peace process.
"what came up again and again was the importance of your visit..."
Dr. Rice has said she supports the idea of sending a special envoy, but she would not commit to appointing one.
Dr. Rice also would not commit to a timetable for pulling out of Iraq.
She would say only that it depends on how quickly Iraqis can start resolving their own problems, after the elctions this month.
"it was never going to be easy..."
Massachusetts Senator and former Presidential Candidate John Kerry wasn't satisfied with Dr Rice's answers.
" the policy now is growing the insurgency, not stopping it..."
If Iraq was the hot topic of the day, Senator Sununu seemed determined to steer the conversation away from it.
He focused on diplomatic achievements such as the American Universities in the middle east and suggested opening one in Amman Jordan.
Sununu also urged the nominee to focus on free trade with the Middle East as a path to peace.
But when the Republican Senator's ten minutes were up, the conversation turned back to grilling Dr. Rice on just how many members of the Iraqi security forces are ready to take the place of US soldiers.
She said a hundred and twenty thousand Iraqis have been trained for the job.
But she acknowledged that some have deserted, and others do not perform well when tested.
For NHPR News, I'm Julie Donnelly in Washington.
