VOA常速英语2007年-Israel Lowers Expectations for Peace Deal by En

By Robert Berger
Jerusalem
02 December 2007

There were high hopes for peace in the Middle East after last week's summit in Annapolis, Maryland. But now, the mood is not as optimistic. Ehud Olmert tells his Cabinet that Israel is not obligated to conclude a peace deal with the Palestinians by the end of 2008. Robert Berger reports from the VOA bureau in Jerusalem.

The Annapolis conference set a goal of reaching a final peace agreement between Israel and the Palestinians by the end of next year. But Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert is lowering expectations.

Mr. Olmert told the Cabinet that that while Israel will make every effort to hold speedy negotiations¹, there is no commitment to a firm timetable.

He said there could be no peace agreement until the Palestinians carry out their commitments under the internationally-backed "Road Map" peace plan and crack down on terrorist groups.

But Cabinet Minister Rafi Eitan doubts Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will do that.

Eitan says he expects Palestinian terror to continue for decades.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says his side is ready to keep its commitments under the Road Map. And with regard to reaching a peace agreement by the end of next year, he said, "where there is a will, there is a way."

"And I hope that our leaders will take the decisions required to achieve the historic treaty, that is needed for Palestinians and Israelis in order to establish the two-state solution," said Erekat.

In a goodwill² gesture to President Abbas, Israel plans to release 429 Palestinian security prisoners on Monday.

1 negotiations   

协商( negotiation的名词复数 )； 谈判； 完成（难事）； 通过

参考例句：

• negotiations for a durable peace 为持久和平而进行的谈判
• Negotiations have failed to establish any middle ground. 谈判未能达成任何妥协。

2 goodwill   

n.善意，亲善，信誉，声誉

参考例句：

• His heart is full of goodwill to all men.他心里对所有人都充满着爱心。
• We paid ￡10,000 for the shop,and ￡2000 for its goodwill.我们用一万英镑买下了这家商店，两千英镑买下了它的信誉。