Palestinian negotiators dismissed claims that peace momentum has stalled, saying Israel and the Palestinians still have their sights set on framing a shared vision of peace. «There is no crisis at all,» said Ahmed Qureia, the lead negotiator, in an Associated Press interview on Thursday. Qureia met Thursday with Tzipi Livni, the Israeli foreign minister and head of Israel's negotiating team, and that meeting was followed Friday by the third meeting between the two teams. Friday's meeting lasted two hours and was «in-depth,» Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said. He would not divulge what was discussed or if progress was made. Israeli officials would not comment on the meeting. Qureia spoke Thursday after U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice wrapped up a four-day visit to the region meant to lay the groundwork for the conference. The U.S. hopes the gathering, expected to take place in November or December, will launch formal peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians. Qureia said he remained hopeful a deal would be reached, though he acknowledged much work lay ahead. «We are still preparing for intensified negotiations that will take place before the conference in order to reach a joint document,» he said. «So far, we haven't discussed any issues.» --MORE
