Israel 'willing to Talk' to Abbas

Israel is willing to start talks on creating a Palestinian state if the new government of President Mahmoud Abbas demonstrates it is a "credible and serious administration" committed to defeating terrorism, Israel's prime minister said yesterday.

Speaking at the White House before talks with President Bush, Ehud Olmert said the schism after Hamas's armed takeover of the Gaza Strip presented an "opportunity" to empower Palestinian moderates. "I am going to make every possible effort to cooperate with him [Mr Abbas] ... There is no question that I want to talk to him." The objective remained the two-state solution proposed by Mr Bush five years ago.

Having exorcised Hamas "terrorists", Mr Olmert said the new government must show it could "upgrade the quality of life in the West Bank, improve security, and fight terror in the most effective way".

Mr Bush said the US fully supported Mr Abbas and his new prime minister, Salam Fayyad, and was "open to the idea" of peace talks. Attempting to underscore Hamas's isolation, he said Mr Abbas was "president of all the Palestinians".

The Islamist movement does not recognize Mr Abbas's new government and could disrupt any new arrangements.

Mr Olmert said Israel would not be "indifferent" to the plight of Palestinians trying to leave Gaza for the West Bank, but nor did he offer free passage.