WASHINGTON
- Delegates from dozens of countries, including Saudi Arabia and Syria, will take part Tuesday in the Mideast peace conference in Annapolis, aimed at reviving the peace process between Israel and the Palestinians.
However, despite the considerable international support enjoyed by the summit, expectations for a breakthrough in the regional conflict remain low.
Just hours prior to the conference's ceremonial opening, set for 4 pm Israel time, no joint Israeli-Palestinian statement has yet been drafted.
While the Palestinian delegation seeks to reach an understanding on a timetable for a final status agreement and refuses to recognize Israel as Jewish state, the Israeli envoys refuse to commit in writing to the establishment of a Palestinian state, certainly not within a given timeframe.
Delegates prepare for summit (Photo: AP)
At an evening dinner at the State Department for members of some 50 delegations invited to the talks on Monday, President George W. Bush said that "difficult compromises" will be required
but the Israeli and Palestinian leaders were committed to making them.
The Annapolis conference will open Tuesday at the US Naval Academy with speeches by President Bush, Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. The summit's architect, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will also deliver a speech, followed by addresses by the delegates to the summit.
The delegates' speeches will concentrate on the three main topics agreed upon: International support for the peace process; reforms in the Palestinian Authority and ways to strengthen it; and peace in the Middle East.
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