"The issue of Jerusalem will not be postponed until the end of negotiations," Ahmed Qureia, head of the PA negotiating team said Friday, according to Voice of Israel Radio.

Qureia, also known as Abu Ala, was responding to statements made by Prime Minister Ehud Olmert during his visit to Berlin earlier this week.

Asked about reports that Qureia personally confirmed that there had been secret talks about Jerusalem, Olmert said, back in Israel after his German visit was finished: "With all due respect, Abu Ala doesn't decide the agenda for the talks. We established a rule that Jerusalem would be discussed last and that's clear to both sides."