Diplomats ready for Annapolis
Monday, 26 Nov 2007 09:35
Middle East negotiators prepare for US-sponsored peace conference
Final preparations are underway in the United States as negotiators await the opening of a three-day
Middle East peace conference.
The long-awaited talks, aimed at rejuvenating the
Israeli-Palestinian roadmap of 2003, are being attended by more than 40 nations.
This weekend Saudi Arabia and Syria confirmed they would be represented at the talks, although Damascus, which has no diplomatic ties with Israel, said it would be sending a deputy foreign minister.
Ahead of tomorrow's conference in Annapolis, Maryland, US president George Bush is holding private talks with Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority president Mahmoud Abbas.
"This conference will signal international support for the Israelis' and Palestinians' intention to commence negotiations on the establishment of a Palestinian state and the realisation of peace between these two peoples," said Mr Bush as he welcomed Mr Olmert and Mr Abbas to Washington.
Expectations for the talks, however, are low, due to a lack of support for the three leaders domestically.
No diplomatic representatives from
Iran will be present in Annapolis, while Hamas has also not been invited.
The Islamist organisation, which was democratically elected in 2006 and seized control of the
Gaza Strip earlier this year, remains a thorn in US attempts to negotiate a peaceful settlement.
The key issues to be discussed this week include the future of the
West Bank, the Gaza Strip and east Jerusalem in the scheme of creating a Palestinian state, the status of Palestinian refugees and Israeli security considerations.
But the disputed territory of the Golan Heights, annexed by Israel from Syria in 1967, is not expected to be on the agenda.