The Palestinians are calling for an international conference in Egypt to advance the long-stalled road map plan for Mideast peace, but American support is still lacking, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in remarks published Wednesday. "The Palestinian Authority has suggested via international and Arab contacts holding an international conference in Cairo to solve the Palestinian issue and for implementing the road map, " Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas was quoted as saying in the London-based pan-Arab daily Al-Hayat. Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, said Britain is enthusiastic to hold this conference while the U.S. is still reluctant, but contacts are still under way with all parties to secure approval to hold it. Egypt supports holding such a conference, which Israeli officials have said is premature. "I have hope and I believe that peace has to come, but the Israeli side might not want it to, especially the government of (Israeli Prime Minister Ariel) Sharon," Abbas was quoted as saying. "But we have to try and carry out our duty. If the Israeli side won't reciprocate, this would be the problem of the Israeli people and international community, and they will handle that rejection and not us." Abbas is the front-runner in the Jan. 9 election to succeed Arafat as Palestinian Authority president. Abbas, a pragmatist, has the support of Israel and the international community.
