JERUSALEM: Chairman of U.S. House committee on Foreign Affairs Tom Lantos sets low expectations for November Middle East conference

U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), chairman of the the House Committee on Foreign Affairs says "nothing will culminate" from November's expected international conference on the Middle East. U.S. Congressman Tom Lantos (D-CA), Chairman of the influential House Committee on Foreign Affairs, told reporters Sunday (August 12) in Jerusalem that "nothing would culminate" from November's expected conference on Middle East peace, and people should not expect a "quickie" solution to the conflicts in the region. The November conference has been promoted by U.S. President George W. Bush's administration, which many political analysts say, would like to see break-through improvements in Israeli-Palestinian relations before Bush's term in office expires in January 2009. "Well let me first say that nothing will culminate next November," Lantos said at a news conference. "This is one of many, many conferences that will be held over many years to come to move this process forward." Lantos said the American electoral cycle has nothing with the realities on the ground in the Middle East. He said the Middle East had its own rhythm and has nothing to do with either bi-annual Congressional elections or quadrennial presidential elections. "And while I understand that some people in the administration would like to see great achievements in the next few months, great achievements will not be forthcoming," he said. "There have been so many mistakes, and so many outrageous acts perpetrated for so long that to anticipate a quickie solution to an issue that is deep-seeded, complex in the extreme, and will take years of serious effort - is very important to underscore, and understand." The Hungarian born Lantos, who is also a Holocaust survivor, called for improved relations between Israel and its neighbours. He also called for greater economic support in the Arab world for Palestinians, and cessation of the flow of funding and supplies to militant organisations which threaten Israel.

ITN Source | August 13, 2007

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