Israeli, Palestinian negotiators meet in Gaza

In this story: Neither side optimistic U.S. diplomat's trip delayed RELATED STORIES, SITES

JERUSALEM (CNN) -- Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat and former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres joined negotiators from both sides late Saturday in talks aimed at reaching a Mideast peace deal.

The roundtable discussion involved, on the Israeli side, Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami, chief negotiator Gilead Sher, and negotiator Amnon Lipkin-Shahak. On the Palestinian side, participants included chief negotiator Saeb Erakat, Col. Mohammed Dahlan, Palestinian cabinet minister Yasser Abed Rabbo and negotiator Abu Alla.

Arafat and Peres were scheduled to meet privately following the talks which are being held in Gaza City.

U.S. President Bill Clinton is expected to decide later whether a last-ditch mediation effort on his part is warranted.

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Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority executed two Palestinians by firing squad on Saturday after they were convicted of collaborating with Israel. (More on the executions)

Saturday's talks follow the renewal of high-level direct talks that went into the early morning Friday.

A spokesman for Israel's Ben-Ami, who participated in Friday's talks at Erez Crossing in Gaza, described the talks as good and said the atmosphere was positive.

Neither side optimistic

Neither side, however, is optimistic that an agreement is imminent, both because of time constraints and remaining differences.

Palestinian negotiator Ahmad Qorei, noting that "big differences" remain, said an agreement could be reached in one day if Israel modified its position on key issues.

"If there's good will on the Israeli side, I think we can do it, if they will come to say, 'Yes, we recognize the Palestinian rights and international legitimacy,'" Qorei said.

Peres expressed concern that time was running out for an agreement.

"What worries me above all is the lack of time. By next Sunday night, there will be a new president in the White House. What have we left -- eight days, including two weekends," he said, shrugging.

U.S. diplomat's trip delayed

Meanwhile, U.S. envoy Dennis Ross's planned trip to the region remained on hold as officials from the Clinton administration waited for the security situation to improve.

"Steps have been taken in the last few days to improve the security situation," P.J. Crowley, spokesman for the National Security Council, said. "The tone has improved somewhat."

Security talks earlier this week brought about Israel's easing of some travel restrictions in the West Bank and Gaza on Thursday, including the removal of several barriers and roadblocks.

On Friday, Israel opened border crossings from Gaza into Egypt and from the West Bank into Jordan. Gaza's international airport was also partially reopened.

Still, the U.S. State Department on Friday re-isssued a travel warning for Israel, the West Bank and Gaza.

"The U.S. government has indications that there is a heightened threat of terrorist incidents in Israel, the West Bank and Gaza," the warning said.

Saturday's talks come a day after a fresh round of Israeli-Palestinian violence. According to the Israel Defense Forces, fighting broke out on Friday in Ayosh Junction in Ramallah and in the West Bank town of Hebron, where one Palestinian was killed.

Five Palestinians were wounded by rubber-coated steel bullets in Ramallah, and two were wounded in Hebron, according to the Palestine Red Crescent Society. Two Palestinians were critically wounded by live ammunition in Khalil, near Hebron, the agency said.

Both sides blame each other for the violence and its continuation.

Since September 28, when the latest round of violence in the 52-year-old conflict began, at least 392 people have been killed. The Red Crescent Society says that 336 of them were Palestinians, and the IDF says that 43 were Israeli Jews and 13 Israeli Arabs.

CNN Correspondents Jerrold Kessel, Matthew Chance and The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Fierce clashes erupt as Israeli-Palestinian talks renew
January 12, 2001
Israelis, Palestinians conclude high-level talks
January 11, 2001
Ross reschedules Mideast trip as time to seal accord slips away
January 10, 2001
Clinton envoy makes one last try at Middle East peace agreement
January 8, 2001
Clinton to send special envoy back to Mideast
January 7, 2001
Clock running down for Clinton's hopes for Mideast deal
January 6, 2001
Israeli negotiator: 'We are waiting for the president now'
January 5, 2001
Israeli envoy to present written reaction to peace proposal
January 4, 2001
Arafat meets Mubarak, will consult Arab ministers on U.S. peace proposals
January 3, 2001
Arafat concludes second meeting with Clinton
January 2, 2001
Clinton and Arafat to meet Tuesday to discuss framework for peace
January 1, 2001

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