Originally posted by the Voice of America. Voice of America content is produced by the Voice of America, a United States federal government-sponsored entity, and is in the public domain. US Mideast Envoy Begins New Round of Indirect Peace Talks VOA News 19 May 2010 US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, left, talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, and Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, center, after their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, 19 May 2010 Photo: AP US Middle East envoy George Mitchell, left, talks with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, right, and Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat, center, after their meeting in the West Bank city of Ramallah, 19 May 2010 U.S. Middle East envoy George Mitchell has begun a second round of indirect peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians focused on possible outlines of a future Palestinian state. Mitchell met Wednesday in Ramallah with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas for the first time since indirect talks with Israel were launched earlier this month. Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the new round of indirect talks will focus on borders and security.  Mitchell is expected to meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Thursday. The U.S. envoy will continue to shuttle between the two sides for up to four months to try to narrow the differences on the terms of Palestinian statehood. Mr. Abbas has insisted he will not enter direct talks until Israel stops all building of homes for Jews in East Jerusalem and the West Bank -- occupied land the Palestinians claim for a state.   Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has accepted the idea of a Palestinian state, but with conditions and without East Jerusalem. Israel has frozen new housing starts in the West Bank since last November for a 10-month period as a peace gesture. But it has refused to stop building homes for Jews in East Jerusalem, which it claims as part of its "eternal" capital. Some information for this report was provided by AP, AFP and Reuters. .