grade enriched uranium for nuclear fuel. In another discussion, Israeli Vice Premier Shimon Peres enthused over the prospects of improved Israeli-Palestinian relations, saying peace talks could enter a "new age." Peres said he was encouraged by the election of Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas in "a convincing democratic way," and welcomed a fresh approach to the Middle East conflict by Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. A preoccupation of the meeting was Iraq's elections, scheduled for Sunday. Afghan Foreign Minister Abdullah said he hoped the vote would improve the security situation in that country. "I have no doubt that if the elections in Iraq are successful they will have a lasting impact on the situation in the country," Abdullah said. Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he looked to the government that will emerge from Sunday's elections in Iraq to make sure Iraqi Kurds do not break away and found an independent state. "No single entity in Iraq must assume superiority over another," Erdogan said. Turkey has a troubled history with its Kurdish population's independence ambitions. Much of this year's forum is focusing on ways to cut poverty _ a theme addressed by British Prime Minister Tony Blair and French President Jacques Chirac. --more 1448 Local Time 1148 GMT
