Israel makes pledge on talks

Jerusalem - Israel said yesterday it would work to ensure that a dispute over Jewish settlements would "not be a barrier" peace talks with the Palestinians after the PLO suspended negotiations over the issue. Mr Danny Yatom, a senior aide to the Prime Minister, Mr Ehud Barak, said this on Israel Radio. He did not elaborate on a solution. Mr Yatom was responding to an announcement by the Palestinian negotiator, Mr Yasser Abed Rabbo, that talks with Israel on a final peace deal could not continue until Israel stopped expanding Jewish settlements.