The radio quoted a government source travelling with the Israeli premier in the US as saying that Barak "estimates a 15-month time-frame during which negotiations for final peace in the region will crystallise."

During the next 15 months Barak expects it would be possible to know the results of negotitions on three tracks - Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians, the source said.

Barak, elected in May, has pledged to honour all peace deals that Israel signed with the Palestinians, including the Wye river land-for-security deal, whose implementation washalted by Netanyahu.Barak, who met Palestinian President Yasser Arafat before leaving for the US, has, however, suggested that the Wye accord be carried out parallel to talks on the final status agreement.

He met Defence Secretary William Cohen on Friday to finalise an agreement on Tel Aviv buying 50 F-16 fighter jets, with an option to buy 50 more, to update its air force.The Palestinian cabinet demanded that the Wye accord be implemented immedately and not linked with anything else.

"There is no need, importance, or justification to tie this agreement with any other issues," it said in a statement.However, the Israelis have indicated that Barak's position is not inflexible, and that if the Palestinians did not agree to his suggestion, Tel Aviv would honour the Wye river agreement.

The timetable laid down in the accord requires troop withdrawals by the two sides from the West Bank over a two-month period once the implementation is resumed.

The Palestinian cabinet also said it would like a strong USrole in future talks, something that Barak does not want.