This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/7114396.stm

The article has changed 13 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 7 Version 8
New Mid-East peace drive launched New Mid-East peace drive launched
(30 minutes later)
US President George W Bush has said the Israelis and Palestinians have agreed to make every effort to reach a peace agreement before the end of 2008.US President George W Bush has said the Israelis and Palestinians have agreed to make every effort to reach a peace agreement before the end of 2008.
Opening a Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, he said formal negotiations to create a Palestinian state would begin next month.Opening a Middle East peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, he said formal negotiations to create a Palestinian state would begin next month.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the talks must include all final status issues.Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the talks must include all final status issues.
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said Israel was prepared to compromise for peace.Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said Israel was prepared to compromise for peace.
He said the "time has come" and that "we want peace". Core issues
He said: "It is time to end the boycott and alienation toward the state of Israel," and that he had come to Annapolis despite the obstacles posed by continuing violence against the people of Israel. Mr Olmert said he had come to Annapolis despite the obstacles posed by continuing violence against the people of Israel.
Mr Abbas, speaking moments earlier, said negotiations should lead to an end to Jewish settlement activity in disputed land; an end to checkpoints and roadblocks against Palestinians; and establish East Jerusalem as the capital of the new Palestinian state. But he added that the "time has come... we want peace".
KEY ISSUES Jerusalem Water Refugees Borders and settlements History of failed talks
Mr Olmert agreed that all the core issues dividing the two sides would be on the table, and that Israel would assist Palestinian refugees find a future in the new Palestinian state.
However, in remarks addressed to the representatives of Arab nations that do not recognise Israel, Mr Olmert said "it is time to end the boycott and alienation toward the state of Israel".
Mr Abbas, speaking moments earlier, said: "We have to start comprehensive and deep negotiations on all issues of final status, including Jerusalem, refugees, borders, settlements, water and security and others".
He said East Jerusalem should be the capital of the new Palestinian state, something deeply opposed by many Israelis who regard it as their own capital.
Low expectationsLow expectations
Opening the conference, Mr Bush said he wanted to find a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict before he leaves office in early 2009. Opening the conference, Mr Bush said he wanted to find a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by the end of 2008. He leaves office in early 2009.
In a speech to the diplomats and representatives from more than 40 countries and international organisations, Mr Bush said the goal of creating a Palestinian state to co-exist in peace alongside Israel would not be easy.In a speech to the diplomats and representatives from more than 40 countries and international organisations, Mr Bush said the goal of creating a Palestinian state to co-exist in peace alongside Israel would not be easy.
ANNAPOLIS SCHEDULE 1400 GMT (0900 Washington time): Arrivals1440-1530 GMT: Closed meeting between Bush, Olmert and Abbas1600 GMT: Speeches by all three leaders1700 GMT: Three sessions on international support, economic and institutional development and regional peace 0030 GMT: End of meeting press conferenceANNAPOLIS SCHEDULE 1400 GMT (0900 Washington time): Arrivals1440-1530 GMT: Closed meeting between Bush, Olmert and Abbas1600 GMT: Speeches by all three leaders1700 GMT: Three sessions on international support, economic and institutional development and regional peace 0030 GMT: End of meeting press conference
"Such a state will provide Palestinians with the chance to lead lives of freedom, purpose and dignity," Mr Bush said."Such a state will provide Palestinians with the chance to lead lives of freedom, purpose and dignity," Mr Bush said.
"And such a state will help provide Israelis with something they have been seeking for generations: to live in peace with their neighbours.""And such a state will help provide Israelis with something they have been seeking for generations: to live in peace with their neighbours."
Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal and Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad are also at the talks.Saudi Arabian Foreign Minister Saud al-Faisal and Syria's Deputy Foreign Minister Faisal Mekdad are also at the talks.
Their presence is regarded as vital, but expectations of any substantial progress at the meetings at the naval academy in Annapolis remain low.Their presence is regarded as vital, but expectations of any substantial progress at the meetings at the naval academy in Annapolis remain low.
The Bush administration hopes that the meeting will act a catalyst for the first Israeli-Palestinian peace talks in seven years - a programme of meetings over the next year or so which will lead to a Palestinian state. Observers say the fact that the summit is being hosted by the US and has attracted the participation of Saudi Arabia and Syria, two Arab states that do not recognise Israel, is critical to its chances for success.
Observers say the fact that the summit is being hosted by the US and has attracted the participation of Saudi Arabia and Syria, two Arab states that do not recognise Israel, is critical to chances for success.
Wider tensionsWider tensions
BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Washington says there are a number of issues that could scupper any chances of a deal - in particular the absence of Palestinian faction Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US, the EU and Israel.BBC Middle East editor Jeremy Bowen in Washington says there are a number of issues that could scupper any chances of a deal - in particular the absence of Palestinian faction Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US, the EU and Israel.
In Ramallah, Palestinians protested against the conference Q&A: Annapolis Possibilities of AnnapolisIn Ramallah, Palestinians protested against the conference Q&A: Annapolis Possibilities of Annapolis
Hamas controls the internal affairs of the Gaza Strip and says it will not be bound by anything decided in Annapolis.Hamas controls the internal affairs of the Gaza Strip and says it will not be bound by anything decided in Annapolis.
In Gaza on Tuesday thousands of people joined a rally protesting against the talks, many of them chanting "Abbas is a traitor" and "We will not recognise Israel".In Gaza on Tuesday thousands of people joined a rally protesting against the talks, many of them chanting "Abbas is a traitor" and "We will not recognise Israel".
In the West Bank, Palestinian security forces broke up several protests against the Annapolis gathering, including one in the town of Ramallah. One man was killed in Hebron, Palestinian medical officials said.In the West Bank, Palestinian security forces broke up several protests against the Annapolis gathering, including one in the town of Ramallah. One man was killed in Hebron, Palestinian medical officials said.
In Jerusalem, Israelis had gathered at the Western Wall on Monday to protest against the conference, with Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu labelling the meeting "a continuation of one-sided concessions".In Jerusalem, Israelis had gathered at the Western Wall on Monday to protest against the conference, with Israeli opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu labelling the meeting "a continuation of one-sided concessions".
The wider tensions in the Middle East are also a concern, with many fearing that problems with Iraq, Iran and Lebanon could derail any peace process, our correspondent says.The wider tensions in the Middle East are also a concern, with many fearing that problems with Iraq, Iran and Lebanon could derail any peace process, our correspondent says.
KEY ISSUES Jerusalem Water Refugees Borders and settlements History of failed talks
The Annapolis talks also involve members of the Middle East Quartet, UN Security Council and G8 industrialised nations.The Annapolis talks also involve members of the Middle East Quartet, UN Security Council and G8 industrialised nations.
Our correspondent says that both Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert believe they are not going to get a better chance to forge a peace, in part because of their own political weakness and in part because of the way the Middle East is changing.Our correspondent says that both Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert believe they are not going to get a better chance to forge a peace, in part because of their own political weakness and in part because of the way the Middle East is changing.