Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Tuesday that "comprehensive and deep" negotiations with the Israelis over all the so-called core issues dividing them must start immediately. "Tomorrow, we have to start comprehensive and deep negotiations on all issues of final status, including Jerusalem, refugees, borders, settlements, water and security and others," Abbas said at the opening ceremony of the Middle East summit in Annapolis.
In his address, Abbas called for an end to the "occupation of all Palestinian lands since 1967, including East Jerusalem, as well as the Syrian Golan and occupied Lebanese territory," as well as a solution to the Palestinian refugee problem.
"We need East Jerusalem to be our capital, and to establish open relations with West Jerusalem," he continued, urging respect for the holy places of all religions.
"I am not overstating it, Mr. President, if I say the region is at a cross-roads between the pre-Annapolis phase and the post-Annapolis phase," he continued. "We are facing a test as our credibility as a whole - the United States, the Quartet, and the whole international community ... Israel, Palestine and the Arab states as well."
The PA leader also hailed Arab countries for attending the summit, saying it proved the sincerity of them to continue what they started by launching a peace initiative in 2002. Abbas also called on Bush to ensure that Israel releases Palestinian prisoners.
On his part, a Hamas spokesman in Gaza rejected Abbas' speech and said the latter speaks only for himself. The spokesman, Fawzi Barhoum, said Abbas "has no mandate to discuss, to agree, or to erase any word related to our rights." Accoridng to Barhoum, Abbas went to the conference "without any support from his people. He is isolated (and) represents himself only."
In his address, Israeli prime minister Ehud Olmert said Israel was ready for painful concessions for peace, and to dramatically change the reality that emerged following the 1967 War. "We want peace," he continued. We demand the end of terror, incitement and hatred. We are prepared to make a painful compromise, rife with risks, in order to realize these aspirations."
"The negotiations will address all of the issues which we have thus far avoided dealing with," he continued. " am convinced that the reality that emerged in our region in 1967 will change significantly. I know this. Many of my people know this. We are prepared for it."
Olmert said Israel was offering an outstretched hand for peace, despite all its concerns. "The ongoing shooting of Qassam rockets against tens of thousands of residents in the south of Israel, particularly in the city of Sderot, serves as a warning sign, one which we cannot overlook," he said. "I have come here, despite the concerns and the doubts and the hesitations."
"I believe that there is no path other than the path of peace. I believe that there is no just solution other than the solution of two national states for two peoples," he said. "I believe that there is no path that does not involve painful compromise for you, the Palestinians, and for us, the Israelis."
The Israeli leader said he did not come to Annapolis to "settle historical accounts" for the conflict, adding that he was aware of that Palestinians too have suffered greatly.
Olmert voiced hope that the sides could resolve the refugee issue, one of the toughest sticking points. "Israel will be part of an international mechanism that will assist in finding a solution to this problem," he said.
The Israeli prime minister said that a peace agreement could only be implemented, in "gradual and careful" steps, after the road map is fully carried out. "We will abide by all of our obligations, and so will you." "There isn't a single Arab state in the north, in the east or in the south with which we do not seek peace," he said. "There isn't a single Muslim state with which we do not want to establish diplomatic relations."
