No progress on ceasefire after Powell-Arafat talks
US Secretary of State Colin Powell has left his meeting with Yasser Arafat describing it as "useful and constructive" but indicated he made no progress toward a ceasefire.
In a terse statement after three hours of talks, Mr Powell said they "exchanged a variety of ideas" to be followed up when they meet again on Monday.
Yasser Arafat accompanied the Secretary of State to the front door of his compound in Ramallah and shook his hand, but did not emerge.
"Arafat did not come out for security reasons," senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said, gesturing toward an adjoining building held by the Israel defence forces where soldiers peered out of windows. "You see the Israeli snipers all around. We are not going to take that risk."
Mr Powell is now due to meet Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon in an attempt to halt 18 months of Israeli-Palestinian violence.
