U.S. Diplomat Says Israel Must Stop Settlements

[Wonk]

Mon January 12, 2004 03:22 PM ET

By Saul Hudson

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - A senior U.S. Middle East diplomat said on Monday Israel "must stop" building settlements and told Palestinian leaders to rein in militant attacks to revive a U.S.-backed peace plan based on two states.

David Satterfield, deputy assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, said Israel should also rethink the barrier it is building in the West Bank following threats from both sides that could sink the "road map" plan.

The diplomat put more emphasis on concessions from Israel than top U.S. officials -- including Secretary of State Colin Powell -- have in recent weeks.

"For friends of Israel, the conclusion is hard to escape, settlement activity must stop because it ultimately undermines Israeli as well as Palestinian interests," Satterfield said in a speech to a conference on the Arab-Israeli War in 1967.

more...
http://www.reuters.com/newsArticle.jhtml?type=politicsNews&storyID=4113386

[dudeness]

1. on the face of it

these comments make legitimate sense..the art of negotiation requires compromise and conciliation from both parties..if the major stumbling blocks are overcome..terrorism must cease..settlements must be dismantled..and the route of the fence , negotiated..then only mindless politics can stand in the way of acting in the interests of the peoples of this region.

[sushi]

2. Finally,

a US official who sounds even-handed.