Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., September 19, 2007 , | | Israel Time: 17:48 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
  Back to Homepage
Print Edition
Diplomacy
Defense Arts & Leisure Real Estate Jewish World National Advertising
Magazine Week's End Business Opinion Rosner's Domain Anglo File Books Travel
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal speaks during a news conference in Jeddah last month. (Reuters)
del.icio.us
Digg It!  new
Last update - 09:34 13/09/2007
Saudi FM: Kingdom may boycott summit if 'major' issues avoided
By The Associated Press

Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal said Wednesday his country may not attend the Middle East peace conference called by U.S. President George W. Bush for later this year if it doesn't address issues of real substance.

Al-Faisal said Saudi Arabia had requested to see the summit's agenda, but hadn't yet received a response.

Washington has hoped that Saudi Arabia will attend the gathering planned for this fall and aimed at advancing the Arab-Israeli peace process.

Advertisement
But Arab countries have been concerned the conference will be symbolic without addressing the toughest issues of the Arab-Israeli conflict such as the status of Jerusalem and Palestinian refugees.

"The kingdom sees no benefit in any peace meeting or conference if it is not comprehensive and if it doesn't tackle major issues," al-Faisal told a news conference. "If the conference doesn't provide these things, then the kingdom's participation is doubtful."

The U.S. and Israel are hoping the kingdom's presence at the conference would be a significant step in bringing public contacts between it and Israel, with which it does not have relations.

Saudi Arabia attended the 1991 Madrid peace conference as observers, then later took part in multilateral talks that tackled such issues as arms, water and economic development as official participants.

Al-Faisal's comments echoed doubts voiced recently by other regional leaders, including Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and Jordan's King Abdullah II, on the conference.

Arab foreign ministers who met in Cairo last week demanded that the meeting work toward a final settlement between Israel and the Palestinians rather than simply be a diplomatic show.

Bush called for the conference in July to re-energize the stalled peace process and tackle outstanding issues between Israelis and Palestinians, but the specific agenda remains uncertain.

A Western diplomat said the conference can only succeed if the top fundamental issues between Israel and the Palestinians are pre-negotiated so a concrete agreement can be reached.

"The conference's only chance of success is for it to be an endorsement of a deal accepted by both parties," said the diplomat, who spoke on condition that his name and nationality be withheld. "Anything short of that would lead to the collapse of the conference before it even starts," the diplomat warned.
Bookmark to del.icio.us
Dead tide
Camel and horse carcasses washed up on Tel Aviv beaches baffled police.
Never give up
The World Bank's recommendations for Gaza are nearly impossible to implement.
  1.   The Wahhabhists and 9/11 20:20  |  Brod 12/09/07
  2.   These Islamists should hold a Peace conference on Darfur instead 20:28  |  Genuine Tosefta 12/09/07
  3.   This is no surprise 20:30  |  Mark Lincoln 12/09/07
  4.   Abandon failed "Land for Peace" policy. 20:37  |  Hal 12/09/07
  5.   Israel is being stampeded into agreeing to pal "return" 20:44  |  Absolute Sweden 12/09/07
  6.   It was to be expected 21:02  |  Axel 12/09/07
  7.   In the recent interview with CNN Mishal said that israel was 21:27  |  lakshmi 12/09/07
  8.   The House Of Saud Is Guaranteed To Weasel Out 21:27  |  Bill Foonman 12/09/07
  9.   absolue Sweden: ethnic cleansing must not 21:47  |  KM 12/09/07
  10.   The major issue: Can ABBAS control PA? 21:57  |  Vittorio 12/09/07
  11.   When will Arabs give land for independence to minorities? 23:02  |  Genuine Tosefta 12/09/07
  12.   To Brod 00:24  |  Persian Kitty 13/09/07
  13.   To Genuine Tosefta 00:31  |  Persian Kitty 13/09/07
  14.   Fully agree with you Kitty. My Iranian friends lament the same. 00:55  |  Genuine Tosefta 13/09/07
  15.   Why should they come? 01:22  |  Sam Weinstein 13/09/07
  16.   Fully agree with you Kitty. My Iranian friends lament the same. 01:31  |  Genuine Tosefta 13/09/07
  17.   They want Israel to surrender! 01:32  |  Shalom 13/09/07
  18.   Saudi Doody 02:10  |  Connie 13/09/07
  19.   Brod - and others 02:14  |  Mark Lincoln 13/09/07
  20.   To Genuine Tosefta 02:21  |  Persian Kitty 13/09/07
  21.   Saudi`s are not permitted by their own laws.. 02:50  |  Avi 13/09/07
  22.   Major Issues Identified ... 03:18  |  steve dill 13/09/07
  23.   The Saudi`s Hate Us why won`t we learn? 05:34  |  ralphsrant1 13/09/07
  24.   I have one message for the arab countries 05:36  |  Tamir Palestine 13/09/07
  25.   So, what else is new? 05:41  |  Nechama 13/09/07
  26.   SHE SHOULD KNOW THAT MUCH ERALIER 07:56  |  indrajaya 13/09/07
  27.   SHE SHOULD THAT MUCH ERALIER 07:56  |  indrajaya 13/09/07
  28.   SHE SHOULD KNOW THAT MUCH EARLIER 07:57  |  indrajaya 13/09/07
  29.   Get the facts right Avi no 21. 09:22  |  Alan 13/09/07
  30.   The right move 09:42  |  Adel 13/09/07
  31.   29: Alan selectively chooses his facts 10:51  |  David Teich 13/09/07
  32.   as i predicted the saudis would find an excuse 11:50  |  victor hardman 13/09/07
  33.   #6axel says it all ! take it or leave it 11:53  |  victor hardman 13/09/07
  34.   diplomatic show 12:31  |  peter VDH 13/09/07
  35.   Well, it is the natural response to yesterday`s article..... 12:53  |  Johnboy 13/09/07
  36.   Poor Axel,no chance of him returning to East Preussen or Breslau 13:07  |  Absolute Sweden 13/09/07
  37.   We WILL GO BACK HOME!!! 13:59  |  5millionPal Refugees 13/09/07
  38.   ABBAS: GAME OVER !!!!! 14:04  |  Wissam 13/09/07
  39.   Three questions for the New Year.... 14:36  |  r 13/09/07
  40.   Only proves need to step up resistance 15:24  |  Tim 13/09/07
  41.   Tit for Tat 16:15  |  Tony Anthony 13/09/07
  42.   Issues of real substance 17:01  |  Chick 13/09/07
  43.   # 31 david teich 17:31  |  Axel 13/09/07
  44.   THE BUSH-PALESTINE SHELL GAME 18:26  |  David Turner 13/09/07
  45.   THE BUSH-PALESTINE SHELL GAME, 2 18:28  |  David Turner 13/09/07
  46.   Seize This Corrupt Fat Man`s Petrol and Proceed Without Him 19:53  |  Solon 13/09/07
  47.   No Axel, the US isn`t the only one 11:03  |  David Teich 15/09/07
  48.   35: JB, can`t of course, deal with the real substance 11:07  |  David Teich 15/09/07
  49.   david teich 48 12:24  |  realism 15/09/07
  50.   49: Surrealsim, popping up again 17:30  |  David Teich 17/09/07
  51.   And running again... 17:43  |  David Teich 19/09/07
 Today Online
Bradley Burston: Jews who hate Reform Jews - Kippur, 2007
Responses: 63
Security cabinet votes to disrupt Gaza power, fuel supply
Responses: 208
Palestinian killed as IDF hunts Hamas cell in Nablus
Responses: 82
Peres: Tensions with Syria have subsided, we're ready for talks
Responses: 60
Dutch church to reexamine policy of solidarity with Israel
Responses: 151
Haaretz.com TV: Iranians said killed in July blast at Syria chemical arms plant
Responses: 13
Rosner's Domain
* Guest: David Raab's short guide to fighting terrorism
* WTR: Madonna, you are not Jewish!
* Rice as a supporting actor
* The false debate of Idealism vs. Realism


More Headlines
17:37 At least five people killed, 20 more injured in Beirut car bomb
17:33 Ministers declare Gaza 'hostile entity', vote to disrupt power, fuel
15:37 ANALYSIS: Gaza as a 'hostile entity' - a decision in the dark
16:54 Hamas denounces curbs on Gaza as 'declaration of war'
17:28 Rice after Livni meet: Iran sanctions can work, must have teeth
17:17 Iran air force says retaliation plan ready should Israel strike Iran
17:04 Justice minister withdraws intention to limit right of appeal to High Court
17:18 Cabinet postpones plan to fund independent aliyah agencies
16:20 Police identify body of seventh Israeli victim of Thai plane crash
Previous Editions
Special Offers
Advertisement
Eldan Rent a Car
Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on all online reservations
JOIN FREE AT JDATE.COM
The most popular online Jewish dating community in the world! Explore the possibilities! Click Here!
Dead Sea Salt
Beauty and skin care from the Dead Sea. Coupon code HAARETZ for 10% off!
Hertz Special deals
don't miss Hertz fantastic deals for the "Tishrei" holidays
Israeli History Documentaries.
Own a piece of Israel?s treasured past.
Junkyard
Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt.
Holiday Inn and Crown Plaza Israel
Lowest internet rate Guaranteed at ichotelsgroup.com !