[Los Angeles Times] Ken Ellingwood - Meeting for the second time this month as part of a new U.S.-launched peace effort, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators Monday discussed Israel's demand that the Palestinians crack down on armed groups, as well as proposed Israeli construction in areas the Palestinians claim for a future state. Israel sees little chance of progress unless the Palestinians take action against militias that have carried out hundreds of attacks against Israelis, including regular rocket attacks from Gaza. "We demanded that they carry out their public commitments on security," said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Arye Mekel. Israeli media have reported that Israel's proposed 2008 budget includes funds to build more than 700 housing units in Har Homa and in Maale Adumim. Israel views Har Homa as part of the municipality of Jerusalem and thus subject only to Israeli law. Israeli officials contend that any construction in Maale Adumim, a suburb of Jerusalem, would comply with the Roadmap because it would occur only in areas that are already built up. Israel views Maale Adumim, with a population of over 33,000, as one of the settlement blocs that would end up in its hands in any treaty with the Palestinians.
2007-12-26 01:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive