Lara Rozen is reporting that there has been good progress made toward getting the two sides together in face to face talks:An announcement that Israelis and Palestinians have agreed to go into direct peace talks is expected in the coming days, U.S. officials, Mideast watchers and European diplomats said Monday."We are close, we are optimistic," a U.S. official said. "There's still work to do, details remain."One western diplomat said the announcement was expected Monday, adding that both parties are essentially agreeing to go into direct talks based on assurances they have received from the United States.U.S. officials said they were still focused on getting both parties to agree, and would not say where talks, expected to start by Sept. 1, might be held.Middle East watchers believed talks would be announced this week despite the reported rejection Sunday by the Israeli cabinet of a statement from the so-called Middle East Quartet -- comprised of the U.S.,...(Read Full Post)