A series of high-level talks on the Israel-Palestinian conflict are going on in Washington ahead of a White House meeting between President Bush and Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon on Tuesday. 

Saudi Arabia's Foreign Minister Prince Saud al-Faisal discussed peace efforts with Secretary of State Colin Powell shortly before Mr. Powell met the Israeli leader Monday. The secretary of state also confers with Jordan's King Abdullah later in the day. 

The Saudi minister said it is time for all sides to do their part to push the peace process forward. The first step, he said, is for Israel to finish its withdrawal from Palestinian Authority areas. 

Mr. Sharon came to Washington with his own proposals for peace, which include reforming the Palestinian Authority. He argues that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is a terrorist and can have no role in peace efforts. 

President Bush says he is disappointed in Mr. Arafat, but U.S. officials say it is up to Palestinians to choose their leader and Israel must deal with him. 

Mr. Sharon will give U.S. leaders a 100-page file that Israel says links Mr. Arafat directly to terrorism. The Israeli report alleges Mr. Arafat gave money provided by the U.S. and the European Union to militants for attacks against Israelis. Palestinian officials dismiss the file as lies, forgeries and fabrications. The European Union says it is waiting for Israel to provide evidence to back its allegations but says that so far, it is not aware of such wrongdoing. 

Some information for this report provided by AP and Reuters.

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