[JURIST] In meetings with US senators on Tuesday, US Supreme Court nominee Samuel A. Alito [official profile; US News profile; JURIST news archive] said that the Court's 1973 Roe v. Wade decision guaranteeing women the right to an abortion was long-standing precedent and therefore entitled to respect. Speaking to Sen. Joseph Lieberman (D-CT) he did not, however, commit to upholding the decision in the future. Although pro-choice Senators were encouraged by their latest discussions with Alito, the abortion issue is still likely to be a key issue during January's confirmation hearings. AP has more.