W Asia security talks may resume

The US has also said it will have its most senior contacts with the Palestinians next week since it called last month for Palestinian President Yasser Arafat to be sidelined.

The resumption of security talks would further raise hopes of a breakthrough to stem bloodshed. But any optimism has been tempered by new violence, including the killing of the 13-year-old Palestinian girl by Jewish settlers on Sunday.

‘‘This week I expect to start security contacts with the Palestinian leadership,’’ Ben-Eliezer said, suggesting talks could begin with Palestinian Interior Minister Abdel Razzak al-Yahya or another senior official on Monday or Tuesday.

‘‘I hope it will go well. Then it will be possible to say that we are starting in a direction which we might expect will bring stability in the area.’’

There was no immediate comment from Palestinian leaders. They welcomed the resumption of talks between Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Palestinian moderates earlier this month following a four-month freeze, but both sides say they are not peace talks.

Israeli PM Ariel Sharon, whose government and army have been criticised at home and abroad over an air strike on a militant’s home in Gaza City last week, has ruled out peace talks in the near future. But he announced plans on Sunday to ease restrictions in the West Bank where troops have 700,000 Palestinians under curfew. (Reuters)