GAZA, Nov. 7 (Xinhua) -- An aide of deposed Prime
Minister Ismail Haneya said on Wednesday that the Islamic Resistance Movement
(Hamas) would consider joining an international conference on Mideast peace to
be held Annapolis, the United States later this year, if the movement was
invited.
Ahmed Yousef told reporters in Gaza that if Hamas
movement was invited to join Annapolis conference, "it would think about joining
and it can detour around its constitution."
Yousef, considered as a moderate Hamas figure, keeps
contacts with unofficial European and U.S. figures involved in good ties with
Israel and the Palestinian National Authority.
In July, U.S. President George W. Bush called for a
peace summit to invite Israel, the Palestinians, Arab and world leaders to
resume the peace process and end up with establishing a Palestinian state.
Earlier, Hamas leaders had called on Arab countries,
mainly Egypt and Saudi Arabia to boycott the summit. The movement also urged
President Mahmoud Abbas to shun the conference and get back to the negotiation
table.
The movement, which took control of the Gaza Strip by
force in mid June, also described the peace summit "a great failure" and vowed
to miscarry it through holding a conference parallel to Annapolis summit in
Damascus.
Olmert: Annapolis summit set for end
of November
JERUSALEM, Nov. 6 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert announced
Tuesday that the U.S.-host Mideast peace conference in Annapolis will take place
in the last week of November.
Olmert made the announcement to reporters after meeting with Israeli
President Shimon Peres in Jerusalem. Full story
Rice, Olmert agree to involve Syria
into peace summit conditionally¡¡
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Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (R)
poses with U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during their meeting
in Jerusalem Nov. 4, 2007, in this picture released by the Israeli
Government Press Office (GPO). (Xinhua/Reuter Photo)
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JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert and visiting U.S. Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice agreed on
Sunday that Syria could attend the upcoming U.S.-sponsored international Mideast
peace conference on certain conditions, local daily Haaretz reported on its
website. Full story
Israeli PM says opportunity for peace
talks exists
JERUSALEM, Nov. 4 (Xinhua) -- Israeli Prime Minister
Ehud Olmert said Sunday evening that there is an opportunity for peace talks as
the Palestinian leadership is committed to agreements signed in past years,
local daily Yedioth Ahronoth reported on its website. Full story
Abbas: We should implement roadmap
first phase
RAMALLAH, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Palestinian President
Mahmoud Abbas announced on Monday that both Israel and the Palestinians should
be equally committed to implement the first phase of roadmap plan for peace in
the Middle East. Full story
Israel, Palestinians show positive
signs ahead of peace parley
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Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L)
walks with Palestinian Authority chief Mahmoud Abbas during their meeting
in the West Bank city of Ramallah.(Xinhua Photo)
Photo Gallery>>> |
JERUSALEM, Nov. 5 (Xinhua) -- Visiting U.S. Secretary
of State Condoleezza Rice said on Monday that Israel and the Palestinians are
"moving toward an understanding" that a U.S.-sponsored conference can be a forum
to restart long-stalled peace talks.
Rice made the remarks after meeting with high-ranking
officials from both sides during her third visit to the region in six weeks,
aiming at boosting peace talks prior to the upcoming peace parley in Annapolis,
Maryland later this year. Full story
