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Source: http://www.nysun.com/article/21681
Abbas Will Seek "Clear Statement" On the Road Map
(New York Sun) Eli Lake - PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas will seek an endorsement from President Bush Thursday for the commencement of direct, final-status negotiations with Israel, according to the director of political affairs for the PLO in Washington, Nabil Abuznaid. While Abbas will be seeking American pressure to restart final status talks on creating a Palestinian state, diplomatic sources in Washington say most of the meetings will be focused on how the PA can make good on its promise to disarm Hamas and other terrorist organizations. "Israel believes the Palestinian Authority has the means to disarm these organizations, and every day that passes without them taking these steps will only make it more difficult as the terrorist organizations become more empowered and emboldened," said Israeli Embassy spokesman David Siegel. "The gunning down with impunity of teenagers in broad daylight has to stop; it can't be business as usual. Israel can't tolerate it; no country in its right mind would tolerate it."