Abbas says peace deal with Israel can be reached
24/03/2006 - 09:54:02Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas today called for secret negotiations with Israel and predicted that such talks could produce a peace agreement within a year.
In an interview published in the Israeli Haaretz daily newspaper, Abbas said that despite the pending formation of a Palestinian government led by Hamas, which calls for the destruction of Israel, there was still a strong chance for a peace deal.
Abbas said peace talks would be conducted by the Palestine Liberation Organisation, an umbrella for Palestinian factions that does not include Hamas.
"We are in a historic period in which we must decide whether we will move toward peace and a better future for our children. I can promise you that you have a partner for this peace," Abbas said.
