41.   Both sides have approached the truce talks with great skepticism.

42.   Both sides approach the truce talks with some skepticism.

43.   Bush urged Sharon to support the truce talks, said the official, speaking on condition of anonymity.

44.   But the prospect of truce talks did not calm the highly charged atmosphere.

45.   Conditions are right for making progress in Mideast truce talks, an optimistic U.S. envoy said Friday, after separate meetings with the Israeli and Palestinian leaders.

46.   Despite the continued violence, Israel and the Palestinians are trying to set up truce talks, an aide to Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said.

47.   Despite the continuing incidents, contacts are under way to set up truce talks between Peres and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, a Peres aide said.

48.   Despite the latest violence, Bush said earlier that he still had hopes for U.S.-supervised truce talks between Israel and the Palestinians.

49.   Despite the continuing incidents, contacts are under way to set up truce talks between Peres and Arafat, a Peres aide said.

50.   Despite the violence, another round of truce talks was held Friday.