"Am I therefore become your enemy,because I TELL YOU THE TRUTH...?"
(Galatians 4:16)

Summit sets 2008 for Palestinian state

Israeli and Palestinian leaders have hailed an "historic opportunity" for peace and agreed to open negotiations aimed at reaching a final accord on an independent Palestinian state by the end of next year.President George W Bush read out a joint statement by Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas at a US-sponsored summit designed to launch the first substantive talks to solve the Middle Eastern conflict in years.The agreement was reached after weeks of intense negotiations and it was not clear until the US president stepped to the podium in the grand Memorial Hall at the US Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, that the two sides would come together on how to move forward on the path toward peace.Despite the enormous difficulties, the statement's positive language created a level of expectation that will be hard to ignore."We express our determination to bring an end to bloodshed, suffering and decades of conflict between our peoples; to usher in a new era of peace, based on freedom, security, justice, dignity, respect and mutual recognition," it said."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's speech was unhesitant in its commitment to supporting a goal that has eluded his predecessors for decades.He said that the timing was perfect to pursue a peace settlement by the time he leaves office in January 2009 because "Palestinians and Israelis have leaders who are determined to achieve peace".He added that "a battle is under way for the future of the Middle East and we must not cede victory to the extremists".Mr Abbas, the president of the Palestinian Authority and leader of the Fatah faction, said the world would come to remember "pre-Annapolis" and "post-Annapolis" phases in the Middle East. He made an impassioned appeal to the Israeli people."Neither we nor you must beg for peace from the other. It is a joint interest for us and you," he said. "Peace and freedom is a right for us, just as peace and security is a right for you and us."Mr Olmert, the Israeli prime minister, promised that "the negotiations will address all the issues which thus far have been evaded. We will not avoid any subject."While this will be an extremely difficult process for many of us, it is nevertheless inevitable."At the conclusion of their speeches, the three men shook hands before President Bush grabbed each of the others by the hand for a somewhat awkward yet sincere gesture of unity.Handshakes have long been a powerful symbol of Middle Eastern diplomacy, and its failures. No one was expressing confidence that the embrace would lead to success, but all parties were encouraged by the announcement.Under the so-called work plan, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators will begin talks on Dec 12, and Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert will hold private bi-weekly talks throughout the process, which will be monitored by the United States.None of the most contentious issues was mentioned in the joint document, which was due to be endorsed by the conference participants, including key Arab nations such as Saudi Arabia and Syria.Tony Blair, the former prime minister, was present in his capacity as a Middle East envoy.

As in the days of Noah...