Subscribe to Print Edition | Mon., April 21, 2008 Nisan 16, 5768 | | Israel Time: 14:08 (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

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. (Reuters) Last update - 06:25 21/04/2008 Abbas says will discuss peace agreement with Bush Tuesday By Reuters Tags: Palestinian Authority  Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Sunday he would consult U.S. President George W. Bush this week on ways to advance peace talks so that a deal with Israel can be reached by the end of the year. Abbas, speaking during a visit to Tunisia from where he travels to Washington on Tuesday, said he does not want the outcome of Israeli-Palestinian talks, shrouded in secrecy, to end with a vague declaration of principles. "I will focus in my talks with President Bush and American officials on the negotiations and on ending talks with an agreement this year," Abbas told reporters. Advertisement The Palestinian president said he wants a framework deal that would outline the way sensitive final status issues can be resolved to establish a Palestinian state. Palestinian officials have said that peace talks on issues including the fate of Jerusalem, Jewish settlements, Palestinian refugees and borders, have shown no real signs of progress since their launch late last year. Bush, who is set to visit Israel in May to celebrate Israel's 60th anniversary, said at the summit in Annapolis, Maryland last November that he wanted the sides to reach a deal before he leaves office early in 2009. Abbas said he will meet Bush on Thursday and will also have two meetings with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to review progress in the talks. "I'm not saying we will end up with an agreement but we will try to meet the target date of having a deal by the end of this year," he said. Abbas warned against missing "the window of opportunity" for making peace this year and said that "if this year ends without an agreement, we will face very difficult times." Senior aides travelling with Abbas said he was hoping to hear Bush's suggestions on ways to save the peace process as they were concerned that the year-end target would lapse. "President Abbas is not going to Washington to complain but to review the talks five months after Annapolis and to see how things can be moved forward," senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. The Palestinians also said that Washington has so far refrained from pressuring Israel to advance the process. "We will tell the Americans we don't expect them to pressure Israel, but we want them to be fair," Abbas said. Israeli negotiators headed by Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Palestinian negotiators led by Ahmed Queria had been meeting regularly to discuss all the issues, he added. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said earlier this month it would be possible to reach "understandings" with the Palestinians this year that would lead to a future Palestinian state, but added, "I don't see any chance that we can implement an agreement in the coming period". White House spokesman Gordon Johndroe said "President Bush believes that Prime Minister Olmert and President Abbas are committed to getting an agreement this year." Israeli officials have said that even if a deal was reached, it would not be implemented as long as the Gaza Strip is run by militant Hamas Islamists who seized the territory from Abbas's Fatah faction almost a year ago. Related articles: Olmert, Bush and Abbas to hold three-way summit in Jerusalem PM to Abbas: Israel won't undermine final status talks Report: Syria wants 'public' peace talks with Israel Bookmark to del.icio.us   Passover in Damascus Syria's 100 remaining Jews say they feel free to celebrate Passover openly. Shanghai surprise A Jewish couple in Shanghai weds inside a synagogue for the first time since WWII.   1.   US can have no valid discussion w. Abbas, except his resignation 04:21  |  Dr. L. Brnd 21/04/08   2.   Our unquestionable historical and modern political rights. 08:45  |  Jean Van Daem 21/04/08   3.   In the light of Abbas`s recent announcements in Russia 09:04  |  Margie in Tel Aviv 21/04/08   4.   bush and abbas are to meet in disneyland 11:27  |  v hardman 21/04/08   5.   "Peace" and the Charters exclude each other! 14:04  |  AliciaYasmeen 21/04/08

Read & React Gideon Levy: Hamas and Israel - how different are they? Responses: 22 Harel & Issacharoff: Hamas wants calm, but from position of strength Responses: 21 Syria's Assad confirms trading messages with Israel Responses: 32 Carter: Hamas willing to accept Israel's right to 'live in peace' Responses: 46 Israeli Arab students take to fields to learn green activism Responses: 20 Israel to tighten Gaza embargo in wake of attacks Responses: 39 Rosner's Domain The Passover test and The Passion of Passover Just say no to Carter Poll: What is Carter doing in the Middle East? Let the debate begin: what's a "pro-Israeli" position? Clinton: Massive retaliation if Israel attacked (WTR) More Headlines 14:08 Syria 'eager' to restart negotiations on Golan, says Carter 13:16 Carter: Hamas willing to accept Israel's right to 'live in peace' along '67 borders 10:39 Two Palestinians killed in IAF strikes on Gaza Strip 12:26 Dear Diplomat, whose side are you really on? 12:04 Talks with Hamas / One stage or many? 10:46 Analysis / Keeping Gaza quiet until Israel's Independence Day 05:27 Israeli Arab students take to the fields to learn green activism 05:55 Legendary actor, director, and teacher Nissan Nativ dies at 86 08:11 Researchers: We know secret of Joseph's biblical pest control 03:29 Israel to tighten controls at Gaza crossings in wake of attacks 04:09 Water Authority: Drought years threaten drinking water supplies 06:21 Hilton to open Waldorf-Astoria luxury hotel in Jerusalem 09:50 Expected: No cuffs for some prisoners at hospital Previous Editions Select Day 20 apr 18 apr 17 apr 16 apr 15 apr 14 apr 13 apr 11 apr 10 apr 09 apr 08 apr 07 apr

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