Abbas to Rice: World must give us a chance
In meeting with US secretary of state, PA president asks international community not to sever ties with unity government, allow it to start operating
Abbas met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Ramallah to discuss a series of issues ahead of the two leaders' meeting with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert Monday.
Prior to the meeting Abbas said he was grateful to Rice for her relentless efforts to promote the peace process in the Middle East. The president noted that the meeting would focus on pushing forward the diplomatic negotiations with Israel.
Rice said she had come to Ramallah to learn more about the Mecca unity deal, and in order to prepare Monday's summit, which could help promote the two-state solution.
In the meeting, Rice is expected to demand that the Palestinians accept the Quartet's conditions, namely renouncing violence, recognizing Israel and honoring past accords with Israel.
The Palestinians, on their part, will present to Rice the unity government's diplomatic guidelines, and stress that although Hamas will constitute a major part of the government, Abbas will be the one leading the diplomatic process.
