Posted on 12/07/2007 8:53:40 AM PST by SJackson
BRUSSELS (Reuters) - U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice warned Israel on Friday its plan to build 300 house units on land captured in the 1967 war threatened U.S.-backed efforts to reach peace with Palestinians.
"We are in a time when the goal is to build maximum confidence with the parties and this doesn't help to build confidence," she said in rare U.S. criticism of Israel.
"There should not be anything which might prejudge final-status negotiations," Rice said after talks with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on the sidelines of a NATO meeting.
"It's even more important now that we are on the eve of the beginning of the negotiations. I made that position clear," she told a news conference.
Israel has issued a tender for the construction of some 300 units at Har Homa, one of several residential districts that have been built on land captured by Israel in the 1967 war and now home to a substantial Jewish community.
The United States fears the move could scupper peace talks launched last week at a U.S.-hosted conference in Annapolis, Maryland. Peace negotiations are due to begin on December 12.
Palestinian leaders have said the home-building undermines that peace process launched by U.S. President George W. Bush and aimed at reviving talks that had been dormant for seven years.
Under obligations contained in the 2003 "roadmap" framework for Middle East peace, Israel must cease settlement activity.
But Israel has said it does not consider the site, known as Abu Ghneim by Palestinians, as part of the West Bank territory the Palestinians want for a state.
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Simply honoring our Jordanian allies just expulsion of Jews from East Jerusalem (and the entire West Bank) in 1948, as well as their destruction of 58 Synagogues.
It’s looking like we have clearly switched sides in this matter. How terribly disappointing.
This should earn rice another oak cluster on her collar tabs to go with her shiny black boots.
Boy were we fooled, she is a nitwit. continuing
One would think Rush would talk about this instead of his sex studies.
More money for her Saudi 401(k) plan.
Since Condi is a supposed expert on the Soviet Union/Russia, shouldn’t she spend more of her time focusing on the growing problems in that part of the world?
Har Homa is Jerusalem, not “captured” lands. Stupid (rhymes with witch).
Condi Reich is on the same side as always. Like her mentors Brent Scowcroft and James Baker--against Israel, and in the Saudis' pockets.
I must’ve missed the memo. When did we switch sides on Israel?
And to think we used to want her to run for President.
Just doing what her Boss is telling her, or do you believe she has set out this course on her own? If that were true then GW is the most incompetent President we have ever had..........Oh never mind, that part is looking more likely all the time.
And to think there were dozens of Freepers suggesting that Cheney resign or W drop him in the last election so she could be Veep and then have a lock on the nomination this year. What a disaster this woman would be as president!
For GODs sake Israel, tell Rice and the U.S. to go to hell.
Grow some balls and stand up for yourself.
"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus
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