Barak, Mitchell remain disputed on settlements
After long meeting in Washington between defense minister, US Mideast envoy,
two fail to agree on settlement freeze. Issue to be debated again when
Mitchell meets PM Netanyahu in two weeks' time
Yitzhak Benhorin YNET Published: 07.01.09, 01:01 / Israel News
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3739614,00.html

WASHINGTON - Defense Minister Ehud Barak and US special envoy to the Middle
East George Mitchell failed to reach an agreement regarding the Israeli
construction in the settlements during their meeting in Washington Monday.

Mitchell is scheduled to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netnayahu in about two
weeks.

A joint statement published following the meeting said that Barak and
Mitchell "discussed the full range of issues related to Middle East peace
and security and the contributions Israelis, Palestinians, their neighbors
and the international community should make to this effort.

"Specifically, their discussions covered a wide range of measures needed to
create a climate conducive to peace. These included measures on security and
incitement by the Palestinians, steps by Arab states toward normalization
with Israel; and, from Israel, actions on access and movement in the West
Bank and on settlement activity. The discussions were constructive and will
continue soon."

The two discussed ways to jumpstart the peace talks between Israel and the
Palestinains. Barak made it clear that Israel is willing to pay a price for
renewing the talks, but that the Arab world needs to contribute to the
efforts as well. "We are weighing any positive contribution we can make to
promote the peace efforts, while taking into consideration our security
interests," he said.

No agreement was reached on freezing settlement construction. The US is
demanding that Israel put an immediate moratorium on all building in the
settlement blocs. However, the Obama administration is interested in
decreasing the conflict that has flared between the US and Israel over the
issue out of an understanding that such a state of affairs does not serve
their interests in the Middle East.

Mitchell will arrive for another round of meetings in about two weeks. Until
then, the Americans are expecting a number of goodwill gestures from Israel,
such as easing restrictions on West Bank Palestinians.

Barak's entourage received the impression that the Americans understand that
any demand for freezing settlement building must not be separate from an
inclusive, regional peace process. Therefore, the US will also be looking
for goodwill gestures from the Arab states.