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Source: http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/461404.html
U.S. Mideast Envoy in Talks with Sharon
(Ha'aretz) Aluf Benn- The U.S. National Security Council's Mideast envoy, Elliot Abrams, focused on Israel's internal political situation during talks Thursday with Prime Minister Sharon. American and Israeli sources said that the Bush administration does not plan to exert pressure on Israel over the issue of West Bank construction during the U.S. election season. Israeli sources said Abrams did not raise the issue in his talks with Sharon or other officials. Sharon responded to reports of a plan to build Jewish communities connecting Jerusalem and Ma'ale Adumim, which lies just east of the capital, telling Abrams the idea was 10 years old and stems from the time of former prime minister Rabin. Abrams said after meeting with Palestinian Prime Minister Qurei that he received the impression there has been no change in the PA. He said Qurei and his government are not in control and have not progressed in carrying out internal reforms. Abrams told Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom the U.S. was acting to keep the issue of the West Bank separation fence out of the UN Security Council.