Erekat: Tax released . Ross on way back.

Israel's decision to release PNA tax revenues it held back two months ago is not a favor to the PNA but a step in the right direction, said Palestinian minister of local authority, Dr. Saeb Erekat, who is also a member of the Palestinian negotiating team with Israel.

Dr. Erekat said that Israel had no right from the beginning to freeze the PNA's tax revenues and stressed that in their meeting three days ago, neither PNA President Yasser Arafat nor Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ever raised this issue.

Erekat confirmed reports that US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Dennis Ross, is due to return to the region on October 19 and that Palestinian and Israeli negotiating teams will be heading to Washington between October 26-30 for further talks under the auspices of the US.