Olmert: Palestinians can achieve independence through talks

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert today said he hoped to revive long-stalled peace efforts with the Palestinians, saying that they would be able to achieve an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through talks with Israel.

In what was billed as a major policy speech, Olmert said that Palestinians stood at an “historic crossroads” and could choose to continue on the path of violence or peace.