Professor Khalidi is a Palestinian-American historian whose last book "Palestinian Identity" has recently been published in french by Editions La Fabrique and in Italian by Bollati Boringhieri. His forthcoming book, to be published in early 2004 by Beacon Press, entitled "Resurrecting Empire : America and the Western Adventure in the Middle East", examines recent developments in the region in the light of the history of resistance in the region, the role of oil, and the question of Palestine. He is visiting Geneva to take part in a Round Table at the ICRC Museum on "The Writing of History and the Future of Peace in the Middle East", and will speak at the United Nations Arabic Book Club on "Edward Said and the Dialogue of Civilisations".

I look forward to seeing you at this press meeting.