Israeli PM says trilateral meeting to take place on Feb 19th

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Source: CCTV.com | 02-07-2007 14:17

Israeli Prime Minster Ehud Olmert says a trilateral meeting between himself, Palestinian President Mohmoud Abbas and US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice has been scheduled to take place on 19th February.

He hopes the upcoming talks will provide the opportunity for major progress in the Middle East peace process.

At a conference addressing Israeli diplomats and ambassadors in Jerusalem, Olmert announced that the three-way meeting will take place this month.

Ehud Olmert said, "The meeting will take place on the 19th. The trilateral meeting initiated by secretary Rice is significant."

Since Hamas took power last March, Western countries have cut foreign aid, leaving the Palestinian government bankrupt. Abbas has been trying to form a unity government to restore aid.

During his speech, Olmert expressed hope that Abbas will not forge a unity government with Hamas or any government who refuses to recognize Israel, renounce violence or accept former peace accords.

Ehud Olmert said, "We will not accept any departure from these three principals. We will cooperate however with every government in the Palestinian authority that will accept this principal and will be ready to act on the basis of these principals in order to establish a credible process of negotiations between Israel and themselves."

Olmert also praised Condoleezza Rice for her efforts in securing the resumption of peace talks in the region. The Israeli Prime Minister has not yet confirmed where the meeting will take place.

Editor:Du Xiaodan