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An ever-elusive problematic "meeting"

Steven Erlanger, Bureau Chief of the NY Times in Jerusalem, published in IHT, reflects on the supposed up-coming now called "meeting" - it was originally spoken of as a Conference - brokered by the Americans in an attempt to negotiate some sort of deal between the Palestinians and Israelis. All up things aren't looking promising. In fact, the Saudis have said in the past that they would not attend if it was to be basically no more than a talk fest.

"The American-sponsored Middle East peace conference expected by the end of the month looks to be thin on content, mostly serving as a stage to begin formal negotiations on a peace treaty between Israel and the Palestinian president, Mahmoud Abbas.

Israeli and American officials have been so busy dampening expectations that they are not even calling the event a conference anymore, instead referring to it merely as a "meeting."

Israeli and Palestinian negotiators are having trouble agreeing on even a short declaration about the shape of a final peace.

Their leaders, Abbas and Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, have a rough understanding on where they are heading, officials of both sides say, but they are afraid to write it down or say so publicly, given the political cost of any concessions.

Ahead of the meeting, tentatively scheduled for Nov. 25 to 27 in Annapolis, Maryland, Israeli coalition members are warning Olmert not to go too far or get too specific. And Palestinian negotiators are squabbling among themselves, getting little firm direction from Abbas."

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