Talks to Resume on Minor Issues

Talks with Israel can resume on minor disputes but not on the crucial issue of Israel withdrawing from more West Bank land, chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat suggested earlier that contacts between the two sides would intensify. Erekat, however, was quick to lower expectations. He said renewed talks would cover unresolved issues stemming from the interim peace accords, such as creating a land route for Palestinians between the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the release of Palestinian prisoners.