PLO raising Jerusalem on talks agenda

JERUSALEM, Feb. 15 (UPI) -- The issue of Jerusalem won't be postponed until the end of Palestinian-Israeli talks as Israel insists, the head of the Palestinian negotiating team said.

Ahmed Qurei on Friday said all issues at the Mideast peace talks were on the table for Friday's session and would come up as warranted, Israel Radio said. He was reported by the Jerusalem Post to have confirmed secret talks with Israel had already taken place.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert said the agenda had been set and discussions on Jerusalem come last.

Saeb Erekat, head of the PLO's negotiating team, said in its view Har Homa, Givat Ze'ev and Ma'ale Adumim -- all in East Jerusalem -- aren't part of Jerusalem and also Jewish neighborhoods like Ramot and Gilo "are settlements for all intents and purposes."

The neighborhoods he mentioned contain most of the Jerusalem's Jewish residents, Israel Radio said.