Israeli president says violence must end

Israel's president said Sunday that any talks between the Israeli prime minister and his Palestinian counterpart are unlikely to be productive unless Palestinians stop their terror attacks.

Officials from the two sides have been trying in recent weeks to set up a summit for Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to meet with Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, but no date has been set.

Arriving in Hong Kong for a three-day visit, Israeli President Moshe Katsav called on Palestinian leaders to rein in the terrorists and added that he thinks Qureia "has the ability to stop the violence."

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Katsav said Sunday that if the Palestinians can halt attacks, "we can immediately renew the peace talks," noting both sides stand to gain from returning to the negotiating table.


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