Hamas: statehood Bush promised "vague, illusory"_English

GAZA, Nov. 27 (Xinhua) -- Islamic Hamas movement on Tuesday described the Palestinian statehood which U.S. President George W. Bush has called for creating as "vague and illusory."

Speaking at the opening of Annapolis peace conference, Bush said it was time for a new Palestinian statehood.

"Bush did not clarify the boundaries of the Palestinian statehood and did not set a timetable for its creation," Salah al-Bardaweel, a spokesman for Hamas lawmakers, told reporters in Gaza.

"Bush did not speak about the statehood's form, nature and the refugees and he did not specify the capital either."

Hamas understands from Bush's speech that the Palestinian statehood will not be created since Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and his men did not apply the security plans that aim at protecting Israel, according to al-Bardaweel.

Annapolis conference was designated to trigger Israeli-Palestinian negotiations for final settlement. In his speech, Bush set Dec. 12 as the time to start the negotiation process.

U.S. President George W. Bush, in a speech opening the Annapolis conference on the Middle East here on Tuesday, said Israelis and Palestinians reach an agreement to launch immediate, bilateral talks aimed at reaching a comprehensive peace deal by the end of 2008.

U.S. President George W. Bush (C) Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert (L) and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas shake hands. Bush Tuesday launched his biggest initiative for Middle East peace, brushing aside skeptics by insisting the time is right for Israelis and Palestinians to end their six-decade conflict. (Xinhua/AFP Photo)
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The Palestinian National Authority (PNA) hopes to negotiate a two-state solution with Israel before Bush's term ends.

Meanwhile, al-Bardaweel slammed Abbas for going to Annapolis amid solid opposition by Hamas, the biggest Palestinian faction. "Abbas is not authorized to make decision on behalf of the Palestinian people."