AMMAN, Jordan, Jan. 14 (UPI) -- Talks between Israelis and Palestinians resumed Saturday in Amman, Jordan, although neither side seems optimistic about the outcome, officials said.
"If we agree on a common ground, then we go to negotiations; but if the ground is not there, then what are we supposed to negotiate about? So far, there is no agreement on the ground," said Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.
In September, the two parties were given a 90 day deadline by the quartet of Middle East peace mediators -- the United States, European Union, Russia and United Nations -- to submit proposals on borders and security, bikyamasr.com reported.
The Palestinian Authority set a deadline of January 26 for the talks about starting formal negotiations.
"January 26 remains a crossroad; we either make progress in these exploratory meetings or we will be forced to take [other] decisions," said Nabil Abu Rudeineh, spokesman for Abbas.
Israeli officials say they believe the 90 day deadline began after the first exploratory meeting held in Amman Jan. 3.
Rudeineh said the Palestinian Authority will have to consider its next step, should no progress be made by Jan. 26, the Jerusalem Post reported.
"We will have to take decisions," Rudaineh said. "The U.S. administration must do its utmost to make the Israeli government stop settlement construction and accept a Palestinian state along the 1967 borders."
