Palestinians: Call for talks \'encouraging\'

The Palestinian Authority wants the countries involved in Mideast peace talks to clarify their position on Israeli settlements, a negotiator said Saturday. Nabil Shaath said Palestinian leaders find the proposal by the Quartet on new talks "encouraging," The Jerusalem Post reported. But he said in addition to details on settlement construction the authority wants a clearer idea of which "international terms of reference" would serve as a basis for negotiations. The authority leadership met Saturday in Ramallah to discuss the proposal. The proposal by the European Union, United Nations, United States and Russia mentions the Road Map, President Obama's speech to the United Nations last year, the 2002 Arab peace plan and Security Council resolutions. The Quartet called for new talks with a time table after President Mahmoud Abbas submitted a request for membership in the United Nations. The plan calls for Israel and the authority to submit plans for borders and security guarantees within 90 days and sets a goal of an agreement by the end of 2012.