Israel PM: Peace talks possible

JERUSALEM – Israel’s prime minister spelled out his opening position for the new round of Mideast peace talks set to begin next week, insisting yesterday on key security conditions and saying an agreement would be “difficult but possible”.Benjamin Netanyahu said a future Palestinian state would have to be demilitarised, recognise Israel as the homeland of the Jewish people and respect Israel’s vital security interests. Some of his demands have already been rejected by the Palestinians.“We come to the talks with a genuine desire to reach a peace agreement between the two peoples, while protecting Israel’s national interests, chiefly security,” Netanyahu told his Cabinet. (AP)