Subscribe to Print Edition | Wed., April 09, 2008 Nisan 4, 5768 | | Israel Time: 02:21 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File

Olmert, Abbas meet, vow to fast-track final status talks By Barak Ravid and Avi Issacharoff Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas emerged from an intensive four-hour meeting yesterday and announced their intention to fast-track negotiations over a final status agreement. The two made the announcement despite both side claiming that the other had violated the road map peace plan. Advertisement During the meeting, Olmert and Abbas were briefed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and chief Palestinian negotiator Ahmed Qureia on progress in the talks. The two leaders then met alone for more than an hour. Both agreed that despite continued terror attacks and construction in West Bank settlements, an agreement should be reached by the end of 2008. The Palestinians, members of the Fatah movement forcibly expelled from Gaza by Hamas last year, voiced concern over the humanitarian situation in the coastal territory. Olmert responded by pledging Israel's commitment to prevent a humanitarian crisis from breaking out there. After the meeting concluded, Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the two sides still had many differences of opinion to settle. He said the meeting mostly revolved around the issue of construction in Jewish settlements in the West Bank. Bookmark to del.icio.us   Falk's folly Israel will refuse entry to the UN's Richard Falk for equating Israel to Nazi Germany. Peace when? After 30 years, the public has adopted Peace Now's views, but peace is still elusive.

Today Online Bradley Burston: I want the Palestinians to win Responses: 181 Evangelist to Yoffie: 'I'm not trying to undermine peace' Responses: 125 Moshe Arens: Making Palestine Judenrein Responses: 115 Vice PM: Ofra settlement homes built on private Palestinian land Responses: 111 Barghouti peace overture to be read at Peace Now rally Responses: 109 More Headlines 22:54 Complainant against Katsav seeks to reenter rape charge in new indictment 19:01 Katsav accuser: Decision to drop plea deal stems from denial 01:20 IDF home front chief: Israelis ready to meet any threats 02:21 IDF begins clearing out West Bank settlements' armories 01:48 Israel to deny UN official entry for comparing Israel to Nazis 21:14 Peace Now: Our views are now mainstream but peace still elusive 20:56 Anaylsis: All outcomes possible in Katsav sex crimes case 20:49 Tunnel meant for terrorist infiltration found in N. Gaza 22:19 Interior Ministry, Finance Ministry employees to strike Wednesday 20:40 Strikes cost Israeli economy over 2.5 million workdays in 2007 Previous Editions Select Day 08 apr 07 apr 06 apr 04 apr 03 apr 02 apr 01 apr 31 mar 30 mar 28 mar 27 mar 26 mar

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