- RAMALLAH, West Bank: A Palestinian negotiator says the White House Mideast envoy has failed to secure Palestinian agreement for going to direct talks with Israel.
The US has been calling for a speedy resumption of negotiations, but Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas wants to first establish an agreement on a framework, agenda and timeline.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wants open-ended talks without any conditions.
White House envoy George Mitchell met Tuesday with Abbas to try and move forward.
Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, however, said after the three-hour meeting that there was "no agreement yet." Mitchell is to meet with Israeli leaders on Wednesday.
US officials have said Mitchell would press to begin talks by Sept. 1.

