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Opinion: German Amiability Won't Bring Peace to Israel ... W Bush is to meet Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas amid continuing efforts to boost the Middle East peace process.

On the eve of the meeting, Mr Abbas said the gaps between Palestinians and Israelis were still wide, singling out Israeli settlement activity.

The talks in Washington come ahead of Mr Bush's planned trip to Israel and several Arab countries next month.

He is seeking a peace settlement before he leaves office in January.

Progress has been slow since the Annapolis peace conference five months ago and there is deep scepticism about the chances of reaching a settlement, correspondents say.

Truce proposal

During his trip to Washington Mr Abbas appealed for the Israelis to stop building settlements on disputed land so that peace talks can proceed.

The settlements were the main obstacle to peace, he said, adding that time was running out if the goals set at Annapolis were to be met.

The Palestinian leader has already held talks with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and US lawmakers.

The US has been trying to shore up support for Mr Abbas after the Palestinian Authority that he heads lost control of the Gaza Strip to Hamas.

At the White House on Wednesday, King Abdullah of Jordan pressed for a timetable for negotiations towards Palestinian statehood, something the US has been reluctant to give.

In Cairo on Thursday, Hamas leaders gave Egyptian negotiators proposals for a truce in the Gaza Strip that could later be extended to the West Bank.

Hamas had previously said a truce for both areas had to begin at the same time.

Egypt is expected to relay the proposals to Israel in coming days.

(BBC)

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