Palestinian negotiators have asked U.S. mediator George Mitchell to clarify whether the position of Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu is consistent with that of his predecessor Ehud Olmert. Now in the second round of indirect talks, the Palestinian side is formulating answers to questions posed by the Israelis. But the Palestinians have told Mitchell that certain positions relative to the matter of borders have already been presented during prior negotiations and have been set forth in memoranda presented to former Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice during the Bush administration. They want assurances that understandings reached at that time remain in effect. It is not clear what the Netanyahu government’s position on previous talks will be. Even present opposition leader Tzipi Livni, who headed the Israeli negotiation team during the Olmert years, frequently admonished that until there is a complete agreement partial elements of a proposed deal are not operative.