Rice, Olmert, Abbas meet

Trilateral talks involving Israel, the Palestinian Authority and the United States ended with little progress, though the parties committed to meet again. Israel will continue contacts with P.A. President Mahmoud Abbas, but will not negotiate with the new unity government, Prime Minister Ehud Olmert told Kadima lawmakers after the two-hour session. Olmert, Abbas and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met Monday in Jerusalem without aides, after which Rice held a brief news conference alone, saying the two sides talked and agreed to meet again. During the meeting, Olmert and Rice reiterated the international preconditions for the resumption of aid to the Palestinian Authority — renouncing violence, and recognizing Israel and past peace accords — said Abbas aide Saeb Erekat. However, Erekat said regarding the conditions, “I don’t think we have any room for maneuvering.” Rice said she planned to return to the region soon to continue the talks.