The United States and Britain, in a bid to reach a liberal bilateral aviation accord by the end of the year, will attempt to jump-start negotiations today.

A meeting between John Prescott, Britain's deputy prime minister, and U.S. Transportation Secretary Rodney Slater in Washington, isn't aimed at achieving a breakthrough on an "open-skies" accord, But they hope it will improve the two sides' relationship, which has been strained following two fruitless meetings in the past six months.

Britain fears that if the two sides fail to make progress in the coming months, the talks could be put on ice once the U.S. presidential campaign gets under way next year.

But Britain has not budged on its key demands, including the right of *British airlines to offer domestic service in the United States* and to lease their planes and crews to U.S. carriers.

Are they serious!! Domestic service in the US, are US carriers going to be allowed to provide domestic service in the UK and EU!!

Lance