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W Bank talks for Abbas and Olmert W Bank talks for Abbas and Olmert
(about 1 hour later)
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has begun talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert has begun talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank.
The meeting in Jericho is the most senior meeting between the two sides in a Palestinian city for some years.The meeting in Jericho is the most senior meeting between the two sides in a Palestinian city for some years.
The Palestinians say they want to discuss "final status" issues such as borders, refugees and Jerusalem.The Palestinians say they want to discuss "final status" issues such as borders, refugees and Jerusalem.
But the Israelis have said they do not want to discuss core issues, only broad principles ahead of a US-sponsored peace conference in November.But the Israelis have said they do not want to discuss core issues, only broad principles ahead of a US-sponsored peace conference in November.
Under heavy security, the two leaders met at a resort hotel in the city just a few hundred metres (yards) from a permanent Israeli army checkpoint. Mr Olmert arrived by motorcade, escorted by two helicopters. Under heavy security, the two leaders met at a resort hotel in the city, close to a permanent Israeli army checkpoint. Mr Olmert arrived by motorcade, escorted by two helicopters.
Good willGood will
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said before the talks that his side wished to sketch the outlines of a final peace deal and was looking to "establish the parameters" for resolving the core issues.Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said before the talks that his side wished to sketch the outlines of a final peace deal and was looking to "establish the parameters" for resolving the core issues.
Palestinians want fewer Israeli checkpoints on the West Bank"Once the parameters are established, then it can be deferred to experts [for drafting]," he added. [They]... are just embarking once again down a long road that has produced no result for the Palestinian people Ismail Haniya, a Hamas leader
"Once the parameters are established, then it can be deferred to experts [for drafting]," he added.
One of the specific issues the Palestinians want to discuss is the reduction of military checkpoints in the West Bank.One of the specific issues the Palestinians want to discuss is the reduction of military checkpoints in the West Bank.
However, David Baker, an official in Mr Olmert's office, said the core issues would not be discussed.However, David Baker, an official in Mr Olmert's office, said the core issues would not be discussed.
Describing the meeting as a gesture of good will, he said it would be restricted to humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, Israeli security concerns and the institutions of a future Palestinian state.Describing the meeting as a gesture of good will, he said it would be restricted to humanitarian aid for the Palestinians, Israeli security concerns and the institutions of a future Palestinian state.
Mr Olmert, he added, intended "for this to be a productive meeting to enable progress with the Palestinians". Palestinians want fewer Israeli checkpoints on the West BankMr Olmert, he added, intended "for this to be a productive meeting to enable progress with the Palestinians".
A dramatic breakthrough does not seem to be imminent at these talks, says the BBC's Tim Franks in Jerusalem. There is immense caution and suspicion on both sides and neither leader appears to be in a strong position. Speaking from the Gaza Strip, Ismail Haniya, the former Hamas prime minister, dismissed the talks as futile.
"It's clear that the meetings... are just embarking once again down a long road that has produced no result for the Palestinian people."
The BBC's Aleem Maqbool in Jericho says many people across the Palestinian territories will remain sceptical about progress being made until they feel it in their day to day lives.
Drawing closerDrawing closer
Nonetheless, co-operation between the Israelis and the Fatah administration of Mr Abbas, centred on the West Bank, has improved since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in June. Co-operation between the Israelis and the Fatah administration of Mr Abbas, centred on the West Bank, has improved since Hamas took control of the Gaza Strip in June.
The takeover has left the Palestinian territories split between the two rival factions.The takeover has left the Palestinian territories split between the two rival factions.
Israel has been trying to bolster Mr Abbas's position, freeing some Palestinian prisoners and releasing frozen Palestinian tax revenues.Israel has been trying to bolster Mr Abbas's position, freeing some Palestinian prisoners and releasing frozen Palestinian tax revenues.
Several hundred gunmen of the Fatah-linked al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades have taken advantage of an Israeli offer of amnesty and have handed in their weapons to Palestinian authorities and renounced violence.Several hundred gunmen of the Fatah-linked al-Aqsa Martyrs' Brigades have taken advantage of an Israeli offer of amnesty and have handed in their weapons to Palestinian authorities and renounced violence.
Mr Olmert's popularity has plummeted since an inconclusive war in Lebanon last year that was intended to smash Hezbollah militants.Mr Olmert's popularity has plummeted since an inconclusive war in Lebanon last year that was intended to smash Hezbollah militants.
And it is not clear whether Mr Abbas can bring Hamas, which refuses to recognise the Israeli state, in on any deal.And it is not clear whether Mr Abbas can bring Hamas, which refuses to recognise the Israeli state, in on any deal.