Palestinian state possible by 2011, says its PM

Washington, Dec.19 (ANI): Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has told the Israelis that there is a change in the Palestinian mindset, and suggested that the dream of a Palestine State could be realized in 2011 if all sides are "fully committed to non-violence."

Fayyad, in a Channel 2 interview taped last week at the Saban Forum in Washington, said: "It is possible to get this process to move forward as long as there is a dialogue on the core issues."

He added: "In the past too much time was wasted on the process, but we should not be discouraged because we have failed before, we should not give up."

Regarding whether the Palestinians would seek a UN Security Council resolution recognizing a Palestinian state, the Jerusalem Post quoted Fayyad, as saying: "We are looking for a state of Palestine, not a unilateral declaration of statehood."

"I think it's time for the expectations to be set high," Fayyad said. "We have to believe that this can happen in order for it to happen." (ANI)