After Clinton destroyed the mid East peace process a decade ago by handing a cigar to the PLO leader which some sniggering from the sidelines described as a 'Monica Special', President Bush has brought together that which can initiate peace. What is it that brings these three together now? Could it be that the possibility of bringing another Clinton to office, seen through the election of Mr Rudd last weekend, has spurred the trio to action?
Rudd's election has done more than provide this hope. It has also ended Australia's run of prosperity which has seen the UN accolade of a third place listing in the 'World's most livable nations' after Iceland and Norway. Australia is even higher than Canada and Ireland. No doubt Rudd can get it into a position to rival the sub Saharan nations ..
Wednesday, November 28, 2007
Election of Rudd Breaks Mid East Reserve
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Australia ranked world's third most livable nation
from news.com.au
AUSTRALIA is the third most desirable country to live in, according to an annual United Nations report that looks at wealth, life expectancy and educational levels.
Australia came in behind top-ranking Iceland and Norway in second spot.
The top three nations have not changed since last year's report, when Australia was again third but Norway was on top and Iceland second.
AIDS-afflicted sub-Saharan African states occupied the lowest rankings of the UN Human Development Index.
As expected, rich free-market countries dominate the top places.
Behind Iceland, Norway and Australia come Canada and Ireland.
But the US has slipped to 12th, from eighth last year.
Mid-East peace talks announced
By Arshad Mohammed and Sue Pleming in Annapolis, Maryland
WITH a handshake, leaders of the United States, Israel and the Palestinians agreed to immediately launch peace talks with the goal of reaching a final accord by the end of 2008.
US President George W. Bush made the dramatic announcement at the opening of a 44-nation Middle East peace conference, with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas standing alongside him.
Mr Bush arranged for a handshake between the two leaders as they stood at the podium of the conference after he announced the agreement to start the talks, whose aim is establishment of a Palestinian state that will live in peace with Israel.
The accord emerged from lengthy, last-minute negotiations between the parties on a joint document meant to chart the course for negotiating the toughest "final status" issues of the conflict - Jerusalem, borders, security and the fate of Palestinian refugees.
"We agreed to immediately launch good faith, bilateral negotiations in order to conclude a peace treaty resolving all outstanding issues, including core issues, without exception," Mr Bush said, reading from a joint statement.
He said the two sides agreed to try to reach an agreement by the end of 2008. Representatives from each side will hold a first session on December 12 and Mr Abbas and Mr Olmert will meet weekly.
The joint statement did not list the core issues, but Mr Abbas laid them out.
"Tomorrow, we have to start comprehensive and deep negotiations on all issues of final status, including Jerusalem, refugees, borders, settlements, water and security and others," he said.
Mr Abbas, addressing the conference after Mr Bush spoke, laid down some key Palestinian demands. He said Palestinians want East Jerusalem as capital of "our state" - which Israel traditionally claims as part of its own eternal capital.
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