tpinews.com live from Annapolis Conference
Annapolis. According to remarks released by the White House in advance of the conference, U.S. president George Bush said that the time is right to relaunch the Middle East peace talks. “First, the time is right because Palestinians and Israelis have leaders who are determined to achieve peace,” Mr Bush said. “Second, the time is right because a battle is under way for the future of the Middle East and we must not cede victory to the extremists. Third, the time is right because the world understands the urgency of supporting these negotiations.” “Today, Palestinians and Israelis each understand that helping the other to realize their aspirations is the key to realizing their own, and both require an independent, democratic, viable Palestinian state,” Mr Bush added. “Such a state will provide Palestinians with the chance to lead lives of freedom, purpose and dignity. And such a state will help provide Israelis with something they have been seeking for generations: to live in peace with their neighbors.” The White House has spent a lot of time in the last few days to try to define what would be a successful outcome for the Annapolis conference. George Bush will repeat that this morning, according to the remarks released by the White House. “Our purpose here in Annapolis is not to conclude an agreement. Rather, it is to launch negotiations between the Israelis and Palestinians,” Bush said. “For the rest of us, our job is to encourage the parties in this effort and to give them the support they need to succeed.” State Secretary Condoleezza Rice has been unable to find common ground between the two sides for a final declaration or joint document stating what Israelis and Palestinians have to do to relaunch the negotiations. Jean-Cosme Delaloye / Annapolis Please read the interview of Daniel Kurtzer, former U.S. ambassador to Israel (2001-2005), with the.point.is. news agency. CommentsYou must be logged in to post a comment. |
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