WASHINGTON: US President George W. Bush is set to launch a major push for a Middle East peace when he opens a global meet in Maryland this week of nearly 50 countries and organizations, including India, after he meets with leaders of Palestinian Authority and Israel on Monday.
"The preparations for the conference are coming together. We are confident that we will get to Annapolis, Maryland, in good shape," State Department spokesman Sean McCormack said, making the point that while the Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will be there for the entire duration of the proceedings at Annapolis, "clearly the president's in charge".
"The president will say that the Annapolis conference will signal broad international support for the leaders' courageous efforts, which will help provide for meaningful progress toward a just and lasting negotiated settlement to this conflict, and ultimately a comprehensive peace in the Middle East," White House press secretary Dana Perino said.
Rice has said that the sessions will be "serious and substantive" and certainly not a gathering for a "photo op".
Before, during and after the conference, Bush plans to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas. Arab states including regional powerhouse Saudi Arabia, have agreed to attend the conference.
More than one hundred delegates from nations including India and international and regional organisations have been invited to attend the conference in Annapolis with Bush scheduled to address the participants on Monday evening.
Washington has pushed for a major conference so that Bush can clinch a final deal before the US President leaves office in January 2009.
The date for the conference was only confirmed last Tuesday, even though it had been in the works since Bush first announced plans for it in July.
