Israel hampers progress on peace, says Abbas
Middle East Desk Report

RAMALLAH—Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas on Wednesday accused Israel of hampering preparations for a U.S.-hosted Mideast conference and warned Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice that time is quickly running out for writing a joint peace document with Israel.
The Palestinians have made such a document, which would address the key issues of the conflict, a requirement for attending the conference, to be held in November or December in Annapolis, Md. Abbas spoke as Rice was wrapping up four days of shuttle diplomacy meant to lay the groundwork for the conference. It wasn’t clear whether Abbas’ noticeably harsher tone toward Israel on Wednesday was a sign of a brewing crisis, or a negotiating tactic.
Referring to recent Israeli actions, including army raids and a decision to renew excavations near a key Jerusalem holy site, Abbas said: “These actions ... are hindering the endeavor to reach a document with substance, to go to the conference.” Abbas warned that little time is left to prepare for the conference. “Efforts should be extensive,” he said. “We must not waste time.” Abbas aides said Rice is to return in early November. Rice did not comment publicly after the meeting, her second with the Palestinian leader in three days.
Rice had started her day with a visit to Jesus’ traditional birthplace in the West Bank town of Bethlehem. Rice, the daughter and granddaughter of Presbyterian ministers, lit a candle in the grotto and paused for prayer. “Being here at the birthplace of my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, has been a very special and moving experience,” said Rice. “It is also, I think, a personal reminder that the prince of peace is still with us.”
She said the three monotheistic religions of the Holy Land, Judaism, Christianity and Islam, “have an opportunity to overcome differences, to put aside grievances, to make religion a power of healing and a power of reconciliation, rather than a power of divisions.” In Bethlehem, Rice got a firsthand look at Israel’s contentious West Bank separation barrier, which lines the town on two sides.
Her convoy passed twice through a gate in the towering wall that cuts off Bethlehem from Jerusalem. Also, the hotel where she met civic leaders was just a few yards from the wall and an Israeli watchtower. Israel started building the West Bank barrier in 2002, initially portraying it as a temporary defense against Palestinian attackers who have killed hundreds of Israelis in recent years. However, the barrier’s meandering route and massive cost suggest it could be used as the basis for a future border.
Bethlehem residents need difficult-to-obtain permits to cross into Jerusalem, and long lines often form during rush hour. Rice left Bethlehem after about three hours, then headed to the West Bank town of Ramallah, for talks with Abbas. Later Wednesday, she was meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and other Israeli officials.
Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are trying to write a joint document of principles that would guide future peace talks. Tensions arose earlier in the week when Olmert said such a document is not a prerequisite for the Annapolis conference. The Palestinians insist on such a document, even if it contains only a sentence or two about the core issues, such as the fate of disputed Jerusalem, borders, Israeli settlements in the West Bank and Palestinian refugees. They want the conference to relaunch peace talks, and seek an internationally backed deadline for reaching a peace agreement.
The U.S. appears to favor the idea of a document, but has been cool to the notion of a timeline. The U.S. has not set a date yet or issued invitations but hopes key Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia, will attend. Arab leaders have said that before accepting an invitation, they want to be sure the conference deals with substance.