Second Israeli-Palestinian summit to convene

The Jerusalem Post ^ | 29 May 2003 | THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF

[anotherview]

May. 29, 2003
Second Israeli-Palestinian summit to convene
By THE JERUSALEM POST INTERNET STAFF

Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmud Abbas were to meet Thursday night for their second summit in two weeks to discuss the three-phase blueprint for ending bloodshed and creating a Palestinian state, known as the 'road map.'

Officials from both sides met Thursday afternoon to prepare an agenda. Palestinian Authority head Yasser Arafat weighed in on the process, and announced at one point that the summit was to be postponed.

Then Sharon's office issued a statement reaffirming that his meeting with Abbas was on.

The meeting is expected to convene at 9 p.m. in Jerusalem. No specific location was published.

The meeting was turning into a preparatory session for the summit with US President George W. Bush expected to take place in the southern Jordan resort of Aqaba next week.

Palestinian officials also said that they would demand at the summit an explicit Israeli statement, recognizing their right to a state. An Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said Israel was prepared to issue the statement, but only after the Palestinians show concrete efforts to stop attacks against Israelis.

The first phase of the peace plan begins with statements from the Israelis and Palestinians renouncing violence and recognizing each other's rights to security and statehood.

The road map calls on parallel steps by the two sides, but Israel has demanded a crack down on militants before the rest of the plan is implemented. Abbas has pledged to stop attacks on Israelis, but said he preferred to conduct a dialogue with Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Islamic Jihad leader Abdulla Shami told The Associated Press on Thursday that his group was willing to consider an indefinite cease-fire "if the enemy is committed to not targeting our people ... as well as releasing Palestinian prisoners." Shami said that the group would not give up its weapons prior to concluding peace negotiations with Israel, however.

Abbas met last week with Hamas, but no conclusions were reached. Another meeting is scheduled for next week, by which time Abbas said he hoped to have an agreement.

"I believe that next week I will reach a cease-fire agreement with Hamas," the premier said in an interview published in Thursday editions of the daily Yediot Ahronot.

Abbas said he also hoped to reach an agreement with Islamic Jihad, but had not met with the group yet.

(With The Associated Press)

[SaltyDog]

What Israel needs to do is give the Palestineans everything they want. Then when Hamas or the Jihad attacks, Israel take everything back and makes it a glow in the dark parking lot.

[Thinkin' Gal]

the three-phase blueprint for ending bloodshed and creating a Palestinian state, known as the 'road map.'

Aka the abomination that makes Israel desolate.

But when ye shall see the abomination of desolation, spoken of by Daniel* the prophet, standing where it ought not, (let him that readeth understand) then let them that be in Judaea flee to the mountains

*dividing the land for a price ("peace" dividend), Dan 11:31-39

Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, ye scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem. Because ye have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves (Yesha Yahu 28.14-15)

32. And he shall corrupt by flatteries those who do wickedly against the covenant; but the people who know their God shall be strong, and take action