ARE WE THERE YET?:

Palestinians, Israelis Hold Initial Talks: Abbas-Sharon summit may soon follow. A U.S. envoy arrives to meet with both sides. (Laura King, January 27, 2005, LA Times)

Bolstering a conciliatory mood that has taken hold since Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas was inaugurated this month, Israelis and Palestinians on Wednesday held their first high-level diplomatic meetings in more than 18 months.

A Palestinian official said afterward that a summit between Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon could take place in two weeks, though other officials on both sides said no date had been set.