No Peace Unless Israel Withdraws to 1967 Borders

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal says no peace unless Zionist regime withdraws to June 4, 1967 borders, will only shake Zionists’ Prime Minister Olmert's hand when 'that hand is extended in peace'

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal expressed hope on Monday that US President George Bush would exert pressure on Zionist regime so that a peace agreement could be concluded by PM on Saudi Snub.

The prince also said he believes it will be impossible to achieve peace unless Israeli withdraws to the borders it occupied on the eve of the Six Day Way in 1967.

Saudi Arabia announced only on Friday that it intended to participate in the Annapolis confab- its attendance was highly sought after by the Bush administration.

Al-Faisal organized a mini conference of his own on Monday when he held an assembly of 16 foreign ministers from Arab countries in the Saudi embassy in Washington, DC.

Despite Saudi representation at the Annapolis confab, al-Faisal has said that he would neither shake Prime Minister Ehud Olmert's hand nor converse with the Israeli leader during the summit.

"This is not a theatrical production. We are not coming to be photographed and to shake hands. We do not want to give people the wrong impression. The moment the hand opens for peace - we will shake it."

In reference to his hesitation to attend the peace summit, al-Faisal said: "We were fearful of failure. For us, of course, and what the turn of events after a failure would be.

The Saudi prince said that Zionist regime needs to make a decision. "They have lived for the last 60 years basing their policy on force. Yet they are not closer to achieving peace or security than they have been in the past. 

"It is time for them to try a different policy, a policy of accepting to live with the Palestinians and live in the neighborhood," he said.

According to al-Faisal, he is participating in the conference in order to "support Palestinian presidency Mahmoud Abbas, Syria, Lebanon and in order for them to get their territory back."