Palestinians say no talks without agenda

GAZA, Oct. 24 (UPI) -- Palestinian negotiators will only attend a U.S.-hosted peace summit if Israel agrees to create a specific agenda in advance, the Jerusalem Post reported.

Saeb Erekat, a member of the negotiating team, told the newspaper there is pan-Arabic support for making a 2002 peace plan the foundation of the talks scheduled for late November in Annapolis, Md.

"We won't go to the conference unless we reach an agreement with Israel on the final status issues and a clear timetable for the implementation of any agreement between the two parties," he said.

Sources told the Post Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is concerned that a lack of progress could lead to more violence.

"President Abbas is convinced that failure will boost Hamas' popularity and undermine the moderate voices among the Palestinians," the source said.

Israel has expressed little interest so far in crafting a point-by-point agenda, various media reports have noted.