Bush calls for Mideast Peace conference

WASHINGTON-President George W. Bush called on Monday for a Middle East peace conference bringing together Israel,the Palestinians and some Arab neighbors and led by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.Under pressure from Arab allies to break years of stalemate, Bush said the conference-meant to pave the way to a Palestinian state alongside Israel-would take place this autumn.But he specified no date, location or which neighbors would be invited.In Jerusalem, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told President Mahmoud Abbas that Israel would start freeing 250 Palestinian prisoners this week.Prisoner releases have bolstered confidence in the past.Bush reaffirmed his vision of a Palestinian state at peace with Israel and said Palestinians faced a choice between the Islamist militant group Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip, and the more moderate Abbas."This is a moment of clarity for all Palestinians. Now comes a moment of choice,"Bush said in a White House speech. "The alternatives before the Palestinian people are stark."Bush said the participants in the talks would help review progress on building Palestinian institutions.

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