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Clinton Rejects Israel’s Claims of Previous Settlement Deals with Bush
8 June 2009
U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton dismissed on Friday reports that former U.S. President George W. Bush’s administration had an understanding under which Israel could keep expanding settlements on the occupied West Bank. "I don’t recall any informal and oral agreements between Israel and Bush’s previous government. If they did occur, which of course people say they did, they did not become part of the official position of the United States government," Clinton said at a news conference with Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoglu. "And there are contrary documents that suggest that they were not to be viewed as in any way contradicting the obligations that Israel undertook pursuant to the road map," Clinton added. "And those obligations are very clear." Dov Weisglass, chief of staff to former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, wrote in an op-ed piece published this week in the Yedioth Ahronoth daily that the Bush administration had secretly agreed to expanding Jewish settlements on the occupied West Bank. Speaking to reporters in Washington, Clinton sought to undercut Weisglass' argument, saying there was no acknowledgment of any such agreement. The United States wants Israel to keep its commitment under the 2003 "road map" peace plan to halt all settlement activity, including so-called "natural growth." The multi-stage peace plan was agreed to by Israel and the Palestinians during the Bush presidency. Netanyahu on Monday defied the U.S. demand for settlements’ freeze. Meanwhile, the European Union is considering using its trade clout to bolster U.S. pressure for an Israeli freeze on settlement construction, diplomats said. EU members have in recent months said that ties between the EU and Israel depend on the Israeli government's commitment to a two-state solution. Following the three-week-long aggression on Gaza Strip, diplomatic bodies in a number of European countries called for a freeze on upgrading relations with Israel, citing the pressure of domestic public opinion. ‘Obama Tired Of Bush’s Failed Initiatives’ A senior Palestinian official, who said he spoke in depth with Obama advisors about the Israeli-Palestinian issue, told Ynet that Obama’s administration plans to take some "drastic steps" in 2009 regarding the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. According to the source, who is involved in political processes from the Palestinian Authority's side, "the American government is consolidating a policy that will amaze both sides. It intends to enforce its will on both sides, particularly Israel." He added that Obama is determined to put an end to settlement construction but that "the settlements won't be the end of the story." The official estimated that the US president is tired of the failed initiatives of his predecessor, George W. Bush, which harmed ‘American credibility’ in the eyes of the Palestinians in the Arab world. As such, the source said, he intends to put forth an initiative that will turn "the words of two states into deeds." Obama’s Plan Includes A Clear Timetable Yet, Orly Azoulay, a Ynet correspondent, wrote in an analysis that Obama is to present an executive plan with a clear timetable. “Obama took his place at the train engine; for him”, said Azoulay, “the train has already left the station, and this is the last call for Netanyahu. Obama will take the Middle Eastern stage again around July or August and present a plan that not only features a framework for action, but also a timetable.” “At this time, Obama is timing Netanyahu, while expecting him to voluntarily connect to the new winds blowing from Washington, before he is forced to contend with a storm.”
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