Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmoud Abbas arrived in the United States Saturday night and began preparations for the conference in Annapolis, Maryland on Tuesday. Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is leaving on Sunday for the meeting.
Abbas expressed pessimism in advance of the meeting, particularly following the failure of Israel and the PA to agree on a joint pre-Annapolis statement. He has asked the Arab League to step up pressure on the United States to force Israel into accepting the Saudi Arabian initiative of 2002, which calls for the League's diplomatic recognition of Israel in return for a total surrender of the parts of Israel restored to the Jewish State after the Six-Day War in 1967. Another stipulation is that millions of foreign Arabs be allowed to immigrate into Israel. Prime Minister Olmert has categorically rejected both demands.