SHEIK, EGYPT , MAY 21, SPA -- PALESTINIAN PRESIDENT MAHMOUD ABBAS SAT DOWN SUNDAY WITH ISRAELI FOREIGN MINISTER TZIPI LIVNI, THE FIRST HIGH LEVEL MEETING BETWEEN THE TWO SIDES SINCE THE HAMAS ORGANIZATION'S SURPRISE VICTORY IN ELECTIONS EARLIER THIS YEAR. ISRAEL RADIO SAID LIVNI AND ABBAS WOULD TRY TO FORM A "BYPASS" CHANNEL TO MAINTAIN COMMUNICATIONS WITHOUT INCLUDING HAMAS IN THEIR TALKS. ABBAS WANTS TO RESUME PEACE NEGOTIATIONS WITH THE ISRAELIS. THE ASSOCIATED PRESS QUOTED ISRAELI OFFICIALS AS SAYING THAT THE MEETING WAS TO DEAL MOSTLY WITH HUMANITARIAN ISSUES IN PREPARATION FOR A SUMMIT BETWEEN ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER EHUD OLMERT AND ABBAS AFTER OLMERT RETURNS FROM WASHINGTON. ABBAS, HOWEVER, SAID HE HAD MORE ON HIS AGENDA THAN MONEY. "I'M GOING TO TALK POLITICS WITH THEM, AND I HOPE THEY RESPOND," THE PALESTINIAN LEADER SAID.
