Olmert and Abbas Aim for Pact by End of 2008

Israel and Palestinians to hold bi-weekly talks, beginning Dec. 12
By Jonas Oransky,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 27, 2007 12:29 PM CST
Olmert and Abbas Aim for Pact by End of 2008
President Bush, center, accompanied by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, left, and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas walk to the opening session of the Mideast conference at the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Md., Tuesday, Nov. 27, 2007. President Bush hopes the Annapolis Conference will be the...   (Associated Press)

Standing with President Bush on US soil, the Israeli and Palestinian prime ministers pledged today to seek a peace agreement by the end of next year; the two sides will hold bi-weekly talks to that end beginning Dec. 12. The agreement creates a framework, the New York Times cautions, but does not address the core issues thwarting a two-state solution.

Israel's Ehud Olmert was optimistic about addressing "all the issues which thus far have been evaded,” while Mahmoud Abbas promised "comprehensive and deep negotiations on all issues of final status." But the Washington Post notes that the language from both sides included diplomatic code for longstanding grievances that will make the road ahead very tough going. (More Mahmoud Abbas stories.)

Get breaking news in your inbox.
What you need to know, as soon as we know it.
Sign up
Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X