Palestinian government refuses to jump to final status negotiations

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said it is early now to talk about a summit comprising Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak, Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and US President Bill Clinton.

Meanwhile, Imad El-Falouji, a member of the Palestinian government, said the Palestinian government "refuses Israel's attempts to overcome the obligations of the transitional stage and jump to negotiations of the final status."

El-Falouji said there are transitional agreements that Israel must respect and implement, especially the Wye River agreement.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian - US joint committee is holding a meeting in Ramallah this week to discuss enhancing relations between the Palestinian and the American sides.