Post by Moses on Apr 11, 2005 7:39:52 GMT -5
Peres downplays construction plans
<br>Deputy prime minister tells U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney not to worry about Israeli plans to build near the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim
By Yitzhak Benhorin
<br>WASHINGTON - Construction in Maaleh Adumim continues to play a central role in meetings between Israeli and American officials in the lead up to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s visit to the United States next week.
<br>U.S. Vice President Cheney, who met yesterday with Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres, asked for clarification regarding construction in the area.
Peres, who said, “Cheney didn’t nag too much about the issue” during their meeting, explained that he had told the vice president that, “in the Middle East, there’s a difference between talk and action.”
<br>“The building plan in Maaleh Adumim was formulated 14 years ago. You can’t freeze construction in settlements that is a result of natural growth, but Israel does not plan to go beyond the current route,” Peres said.
<br>Construction in Maaleh Adumim will likely be addressed also during the Bush-Sharon meeting. However, officials in Washington said the main topic of discussion is to be the Israeli disengagement plan from Gaza and parts of the West Bank.
<br>Talking money
<br>During the course of the Washington meetings, Peres suggested to American officials that, in addition to security coordinator General Ward, they appoint an economic coordinator for the disengagement plan. Peres also talked of establishing a free trade zone with the Palestinian Authority.
<br>Peres and Cheney also discussed American aid in anticipation of the disengagement plan.
<br>“The burden on the Israeli government is very high, we want to turn the exit from Gaza into a success story,” Peres said, adding that the development of the Negev and Galilee was a priority.
<br>Israel has still not presented the American government with a specific request for economic aid to help implement the disengagement plan. Nor has Peres said how much money the government plans to ask from Washington as debates in the U.S. Congress regarding budgetary supplements will only take place in September.
<br>On the topic of Israeli-Palestinian economic ties, Peres said that USD 140 million would be needed to build modern border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip, allowing for the speedy exchange of goods.
<br>Peres also had a chance meeting with Kudar Talabani, the son of the new Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, at the CNN television studio in Washington. Kudar watched Peres’s interview and afterward said it was “excellent.”
<br>The two later shook hands.
<br>First Published: 04.08.05, 11:03
Latest Update: 04.08.05, 15:31
American Concerns
U.S. softens stance on settlements / By Yitzhak Benhorin
White House spokesman tells journalists upcoming meeting between Bush and Sharon will focus mainly on disengagement, not the building of homes near Maaleh Adumim
<br>Deputy prime minister tells U.S. Vice President Dick Cheney not to worry about Israeli plans to build near the West Bank settlement of Maaleh Adumim
By Yitzhak Benhorin
<br>WASHINGTON - Construction in Maaleh Adumim continues to play a central role in meetings between Israeli and American officials in the lead up to Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s visit to the United States next week.
<br>U.S. Vice President Cheney, who met yesterday with Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres, asked for clarification regarding construction in the area.
Peres, who said, “Cheney didn’t nag too much about the issue” during their meeting, explained that he had told the vice president that, “in the Middle East, there’s a difference between talk and action.”
<br>“The building plan in Maaleh Adumim was formulated 14 years ago. You can’t freeze construction in settlements that is a result of natural growth, but Israel does not plan to go beyond the current route,” Peres said.
<br>Construction in Maaleh Adumim will likely be addressed also during the Bush-Sharon meeting. However, officials in Washington said the main topic of discussion is to be the Israeli disengagement plan from Gaza and parts of the West Bank.
<br>Talking money
<br>During the course of the Washington meetings, Peres suggested to American officials that, in addition to security coordinator General Ward, they appoint an economic coordinator for the disengagement plan. Peres also talked of establishing a free trade zone with the Palestinian Authority.
<br>Peres and Cheney also discussed American aid in anticipation of the disengagement plan.
<br>“The burden on the Israeli government is very high, we want to turn the exit from Gaza into a success story,” Peres said, adding that the development of the Negev and Galilee was a priority.
<br>Israel has still not presented the American government with a specific request for economic aid to help implement the disengagement plan. Nor has Peres said how much money the government plans to ask from Washington as debates in the U.S. Congress regarding budgetary supplements will only take place in September.
<br>On the topic of Israeli-Palestinian economic ties, Peres said that USD 140 million would be needed to build modern border crossings between Israel and the Gaza Strip, allowing for the speedy exchange of goods.
<br>Peres also had a chance meeting with Kudar Talabani, the son of the new Iraqi President Jalal Talabani, at the CNN television studio in Washington. Kudar watched Peres’s interview and afterward said it was “excellent.”
<br>The two later shook hands.
<br>First Published: 04.08.05, 11:03
Latest Update: 04.08.05, 15:31
American Concerns
U.S. softens stance on settlements / By Yitzhak Benhorin
White House spokesman tells journalists upcoming meeting between Bush and Sharon will focus mainly on disengagement, not the building of homes near Maaleh Adumim