MEET THE PANEL Name: Nadim Homsi Age: 68 Lives: Amman, Jordan Works: Retired banker

After all, if peace is to be reached, face to face meetings are essential.

However - and there is always a "however" when discussing Middle Eastern politics - if the meeting is only intended to provide the moribund Bush presidency with a stellar photo opportunity to burnish its image, then the consequences could be disastrous.

Q: Do you believe all three leaders, George Bush, Ehud Olmert and Mahmoud Abbas are acting in good faith?

A: I think Condi Rice is acting in good faith and has managed to bring Bush to her way of thinking despite Cheney, Abrams and others. I think Abbas is acting in good faith for he has a lot to gain, although I am sure he has many doubts about the intentions of Olmert.

However, judging by Israel's past record, they have no interest in signing a peace treaty until they have reached the borders they want to have and "acquired" all the water resources they can lay their hands on.

So do I think Olmert is acting in good faith? Good heavens, absolutely not! He is just playing for time, stringing out the "negotiations" until Bush's term comes to an end and a new president is installed, one who has a lot to lose if he were to confront Israel and try to impose withdrawal from even part of the West Bank.

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