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U.S. Expert to Review Israeli Security Fence Demands

(Ha'aretz) - Aluf Benn An American defense specialist will review Israel's contention that the separation fence should be constructed east of Beit Aryeh in order to prevent terrorists from firing shoulder-launched missiles at planes near Ben-Gurion International Airport. The U.S. opposes the inclusion of the Beit Aryeh enclave, saying some 15,000 Palestinians live in the area. Presenting plans for the fence to U.S. National Security Adviser Condoleeza Rice on Monday, Defense Ministry director general Amos Yaron argued that the inclusion of Ariel and Kedumim would ease matters for Palestinians living in the area, enabling the IDF to dismantle a number of roadblocks. The Americans oppose the construction of a continuous fence between Ariel and the "green line," arguing that such a fence would create political facts on the ground, and make it more difficult to establish a Palestinian state that has an adequate measure of territorial contiguity. Prime minister's bureau chief Dov Weisglass and Yaron said the location of the fence was designed with a view to security considerations only, and not in order to create future political borders.
2003-09-24 00:00:00
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