But he also said that the American position on Palestinian participation would not change.

Key procedural issues, like the form of Palestinian participation, remain open.

He was a driving force behind the Palestinian participation in the seminal Madrid peace conference a decade ago.

Palestinian participation is required at every stage of the negotiations required to achieve peace, justice and security.

Throughout the conference young people carrying olive branches continued to demonstrate in support of Palestinian participation.

The Israeli economy has been almost entirely independent of Palestinian participation since the first intifada in the late 80's.

"Palestinian participation is essential to success in the peace process," he said.

"Palestinian participation is required at every stage of the negotiations."

We want Palestinian participation without barriers or handicaps.

There was no Palestinian participation in drafting the guidelines.