Bush 'optimistic' about peace talks

Updated 23.52 Mon Nov 26 2007

Keywords: Tony Blair, George Bush, Middle East

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators have neared an agreement on a peace agenda as President George W Bush launched a new drive to restart long-dormant talks to create a Palestinian state.

Expectations were low for three days of meetings in Washington and nearby Annapolis, Maryland, partly because Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas all face political challenges at home.

Mr Bush told Mr Olmert he was looking forward to a serious dialogue with the two leaders "to see whether or not peace is possible"

Mr Bush, beginning his biggest attempt at Middle East peace with only 14 months left in office, held Oval Office talks with Mr Olmert and planned a separate session with Mr Abbas later.

Mr Bush told Mr Olmert he was looking forward to a serious dialogue with the two leaders "to see whether or not peace is possible." He said he was optimistic about the outcome. He is to meet the two leaders together on Tuesday in Annapolis.

Mr Olmert said he hoped to launch "a serious process of negotiations". "This time it is different," he said, hailing what he described as "very important" international participation in the conference.

Despite long-standing frictions, Israeli and Palestinian officials said they were close to agreement on a joint document that would outline the peace goals to follow this week's sessions.

A top aide to Abbas, Yasser Abed Rabbo, predicted an announcement Monday or Tuesday on the joint document and said: "There will be extensive meetings and efforts in order to reach this document."

Israeli officials said negotiators had narrowed some of their differences over the document, which will chart the course for negotiating the toughest issues of the conflict - Jerusalem, borders, security and Palestinian refugees.

Syria and Saudi Arabia have promised to attend the Annapolis talks Tuesday, joining envoys from more than 40 countries at the U.S. Naval Academy, making the conference one of the most sweeping efforts in years.

They will be joined by former prime minister Tony Blair in his role as Middle East envoy for the quartet, which represents Europe, Russia, the US and the UN.

He is expected to report on the actions he has taken to support efforts to build Palestinian institutions by Salam Fayyad, prime minister of the Palestinian National Authority.