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If there is a conference....it's already doomed!

Condi Rice has just arrived in the Jersualem for a 4 day visit in the region in an attempt to get things sorted out for next month's supposed Middle East conference. Trouble is that there isn't even a date arranged for this conference let alone what the agenda is to be. Meanwhile, the Israelis have made it already known that it sees the conference not to achieve some sort of outcome between the Palestinians and Israelis but rather a general discussion on a number of principles. In other words, more stalling, consistent with Israel's actions in the past.

The LA Times reports that Arab nations are sceptical about the whole conference idea - seeing it nothing other than a photo-op for the Americans rather than a real attempt to achieve something positive in the region:

"The upcoming Israeli-Palestinian peace conference resembles a dinner party with a less-than-inspiring menu and a bunch of well-tailored yet exasperated guests who, if they show up at all, doubt that anyone will go home happy.

Posturing and recrimination often characterize such negotiations, but Arab nations, including Washington's closest allies, are criticizing the November conference as a miscalculated photo op by a Bush administration desperate to repair its image in the Middle East.

"This is not an effort to save the Palestinians, it's an attempt to prop up the administration's very low standing in the Arab world," said Mustafa Alani, an analyst with the Gulf Research Center in Dubai, United Arab Emirates. "Saudi Arabia and other Washington allies will lose a lot of credibility if this is just to take part in an American show."

Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice plans a visit to the region this week aimed at persuading Arab countries to send at least ministry-level officials to the meeting in Annapolis, Md. But analysts and media in the Middle East complain that the U.S. has not done the diplomatic legwork needed to advance peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Preliminary talks between the two sides are at an impasse."

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