Olmert says unclear if Abbas deal possible by Nov.
Source: Reuters
(Adds background) JERUSALEM, Sept 3 (Reuters) - Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said on Monday he hoped to reach an agreement with the Palestinians on statehood principles but it was unclear if that would be possible before a U.S.-planned conference in November. Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas have held regular meetings aimed at agreeing a framework for renewed peace negotiations since Abbas broke with Hamas after the Islamist group seized control of the Gaza Strip in June. "I have been holding meetings with Palestinian Authority Chairman Abu Mazen (Abbas) and I hope that in the near future this will lead to a ... joint declaration," Olmert told reporters. "If we can achieve a draft by November, we will achieve it, but I am not sure we will be able to do that." Abbas has complained of a lack of specific undertakings by Olmert, saying on Sunday that this could doom the regional talks to failure. Israeli officials have voiced doubt over whether it would be possible to reach a meaningful deal with Abbas.
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