Palestine hails RI`s plan to host Asia-Africa confab

Jakarta (ANTARA News) - Visiting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hailed on Monday Indonesia`s plan to host an Asia-Africa conference in the near future to support the Palestinian people`s struggle for an independent state.

"This is proof of the keen attention shown by Asian-African countries which will hold the conference in the near future at the initiative of Indonesia. This shows the keen attention and real support which is expected by our nation," he said in a joint press conference with President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono at his office here.

On the plan to hold an international meeting on Israeli-Palestinian peace in November, Abbas said the United States, United Nations, European Union and Russia which make up the so-called Mideast Quartet working to end the Palestinian conflict, plus Arab countries, and three predominantly Muslim countries, namely Indonesia, Malaysia and Turkey were expected to attend it although no invitation had been extended to them.

"Therefore, we always establish communication and cooperation between the governments of Palestine and Indonesia. We have set up a joint team or committee between the two foreign ministers to take follow up actions and keep abreast of latest developments," he said.

In addition, he said his side was also holding intensive communication and dialogs with Israel to agree on documents acceptable to both sides and to the international community.

"The documents will later serve as a basis for holding conferences. Afterwards, there will be negotiations between Palestine and Israel. Hopefully, before 2008 there will be a real settlement as expected," he said.

On the occasion, President Yudhoyono hailed the plan to hold the international conference on increasing Palestinian capacity in reviving the stalled process of seeking a fair, permanent and comprehensive solution in pursuit of Palestinian independence.

"I also underscored the need to include in the agenda of the conference crucial issues in the interest of Palestine by involving countries which also have a interest in the settlement of the Palestinian issue, including Lebanon and Syria," he said.

Indonesian Foreign Minister Hassan Wirajuda said the Asia-Africa conference was likely to be held in January or February 2008.