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Olmert, ‘Abbas Meeting in Jerusalem: Last Gasp Before Party Primary

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert hosts Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas at his Jerusalem residence on Sunday. Topping the agenda is what pundits see as a last attempt to have some form of agreement in hand before Olmert’s Qadima party holds its primary election to pick Olmert’s successor. Olmert reportedly wants ‘Abbas to accept an "agreement in principle" – outlining a two-state solution but leaving open many of the details. Analysts at The Media Line suggest that while such a pact will in part satisfy both Olmert’s and U.S. President George W. Bush’s quest for legacy, the dearth of details will be its undoing. Palestinian negotiator Sa’ib ‘Ariqat dismissed the probability of having an agreement in September. Olmert’s proposal reportedly opens negotiations on sovereignty and Jerusalem holy sites to international participation and places the Jerusalem issues on a five-year schedule.