Bush says Annapolis aim is to launch negotiations

WASHINGTON, Nov 27 (Reuters) President George W Bush said today the aim of a West Asia peace conference in Annapolis, Maryland, is to launch negotiations, not conclude an agreement.

In remarks prepared for delivery at a gathering of diplomats from more than 40 countries, Bush also said the task begun at the conference will be difficult and much work remains to be done, but ''the time is right'' to try.

REUTERS RJ HT1905