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 8 Version 9
New Mid-East peace drive launched New Mid-East peace drive launched
(about 2 hours 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. Israeli and Palestinian leaders have agreed to start talks aimed at reaching a full peace deal by 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, US President George W Bush said all outstanding issues dividing the two sides would be on the table.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the talks must include all final status issues. Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the talks must include the status of Jerusalem as a Palestinian capital, and the future of refugees.
Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said Israel was prepared to compromise for peace. Israeli PM Ehud Olmert said Israel was prepared to make compromises for peace.
Core issues Standing before the diplomats from more than 40 countries and international agencies at the US naval academy at Annapolis, Maryland, President Bush stepped back to allow the Palestinian and Israeli leaders to shake hands.
"We agree to engage in vigorous, ongoing and continuous negotiations and shall make every effort to conclude an agreement before the end of 2008," Mr Bush said, reading from a statement agreed by the two sides.
KEY ISSUES Jerusalem Water Refugees Borders and settlements History of failed talks
He said the first negotiations would start on 12 December, with further meetings to be held every two weeks after that.
He committed himself to spending the rest of his presidency - until January 2009 - working towards "an independent democratic viable Palestinian state".
"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."
'Time has come'
Mr Abbas followed with his own speech, saying: "We have to start comprehensive and deep negotiations on all issues of final status, including Jerusalem, refugees, borders, settlements, water and security and others".
In Ramallah, Palestinians protested against the conference Gazans reject Mid-East talks Q&A: Annapolis Possibilities of Annapolis
He said East Jerusalem should be the capital of the new Palestinian state, something deeply opposed by many Israelis who regard it as part of their own capital.
Mr Olmert said 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.
But he added that the "time has come... we want peace".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.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 by the end of 2008. He leaves office in early 2009. Following the speeches, the delegates at Annapolis broke into sessions for further discussions.
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 conference
"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."
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.
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 its chances for success.
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 conference
But expectations going into Annapolis have been low because every other attempt at negotiation between the Israelis and the Palestinians has failed, says the BBC's Jeremy Bowen at the conference.
However, there are grounds for optimism, says our correspondent: the Americans are behind the talks, there is no plan B and the consequences of failure could be bloody.
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. The absence of Palestinian faction Hamas, which is designated a terrorist organisation by the US, the EU and Israel, could also make negotiating a deal problematic.
In 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. And in the West Bank, controlled by Mr Abbas's Fatah faction, Palestinian security forces broke up several protests against the Annapolis gathering. 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 gathered at the Western Wall on Monday to protest against the conference. 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.
The Annapolis talks also involve members of the Middle East Quartet, UN Security Council and G8 industrialised nations. Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert have said say they are ready and willing to negotiate, our correspondent says - the question is, whether events and some of their own people will let them.
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.