Palestinian delegation in Washington today

A high-ranking Palestinian delegation is heading today to Washington to hold talks with the US administration regarding the Middle East peace process before the tour of US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to the area, which is scheduled for the beginning of September.

The Palestinian delegation includes Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen), the secretary general of the executive committee for the Palestinian liberation organization; and Saeb Erekat, the top Palestinian negotiator.

Palestinian official sources said the meetings of the Palestinian side in Washington will focus on the Palestinian - Israeli talks regarding implementation of the Wye River accord signed in October 1998.