Palestinian leader arrives for meeting with Bush, comments

Описание: (25 May 2005)

Andrew Airforce Base, Maryland
1. Wide shot, plane, zoom in to Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas disembarking followed by Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia
2. Various, delegates greeting Abbas
Ritz Carlton Hotel, Washington, D.C.
3. Abbas leaving car and entering building
4. SOUNDBITE (Arabic): Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian leader (in answer to question: "What are you asking from the US?"):
"As we have said several time in the past, we want a clear political stand to adhere to the 'road map' and we also asking for economic support."
5. Abbas walking away

STORYLINE:

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas arrived in Washington late on Tuesday (GMT Wednesday) for the first meeting between Palestinian and American leaders since international efforts to broker an Israeli-Palestinian peace treaty broke down in late 2000.

Abbas, accompanied by Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, landed at Andrew Air Force Base, Maryland.

Abbas is on a three-day trip to the US capital which includes meetings on Wednesday with congressional leaders and a summit with President George W. Bush on Thursday.

He wants assurances from President Bush of US help in halting Israeli settlement building and keeping the peace process moving after Israel's planned withdrawal from the Gaza Strip this summer.

Abbas spoke to journalists when he arrived at the Ritz Carlton Hotel, Washington DC.

Many hope Israel's plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and four small West Bank settlements will jump-start peace talks that have been stalled during nearly five years of fighting.

But Palestinians are understood to fear Israel will use the Gaza pullout as an excuse to strengthen its hold on the West Bank.

Abbas is deeply concerned about an Israeli plan to build 3,650 new homes in Maaleh Adumim, the West Bank's largest settlement.

The construction would cut off the West Bank from traditionally Arab east Jerusalem, which Palestinians dream of making the capital of a future state.

Bush publicly criticised the Maaleh Adumim plan during a news conference with Sharon last month, but the Israeli leader vowed to push ahead.

Abbas' trip to Washington coincides with a visit by Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

Earlier Tuesday, Sharon pledged cooperation with Abbas, but said Israel would not risk its security.

Speaking to a convention of the American-Israel Public Affairs Committee - or AIPAC - a pro-Israel lobbying group in Washington, Sharon also promised to release more Palestinian prisoners.

At the same time, he demanded that Abbas quickly crack down on militants.

The Israeli Prime Minister said he's paid a heavy political price for supporting peace with the Palestinians and the dismantling of Israeli settlements in the West Bank and the Gaza strip.

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