'Construction plan not finalized'

WASHINGTON - While the defense minister signed the approval for the construction of thousands of housing units in the Jewish settlement of Maaleh Adumim recently, the U.S. Administration has been notified that the cabinet has not yet reached a final decision on the matter.

The Administration leveled public criticism at Israel this week asking for clarifications pertaining to Israel’s plan to construct new homes in Maaleh Adumin near

Jerusalem, a plan which violates Israel’s commitments specified in the U.S. backed road map plan.

According to U.S. officials, special envoys visiting the Palestinian Authority this week delivered a request for clarifications on the absence of such a decision.

The American envoys, Deputy National Security Advisor Elliot Abrams and State Department diplomat David Walsh, met with Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, Vice Premier Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz.

U.S. to closely monitor issue

State department spokesman Adam Areli confirmed that settlement activity was discussed during the meeting, particularly about the report of 3,500 housing units.

He said that when asked for further information, the envoys were told that a final decision had not yet been made.

Areli added that the envoys reiterated their basic concerns over Israel's unilateral measures, which would likely infringe on Palestinian rights, or influence negotiations on the final settlement between the two sides.

Such measures are likely to adversely affect the

people living there, he said, adding that the U.S. administration expects these concerns to be taken into account.

He said the Administration would continue to closely monitor progress on the issue. 

General satisfaction

U.S. officials expressed general satisfaction over the envoy’s three day visit with senior Authority officials.

The envoys met with Authority Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, ministers Mohammed Dahlan, Saeb Erekat, Salam Fayad and Minister of Interior Nasser Yusef.

Qureia's office said in response that the Maaleh Adumim construction was discussed during the talks.

"The U.S. knows all to well the dangers the (construction) plan brings with it to the road map plan and President Bush's vision," one Palestinian official said.

Sharon’s office said in response to the report that the matter is being handled by the Defense Ministry. However, Mofaz’s office refrained from commenting at this time.

The construction plan

Yedioth Ahronoth daily newspaper reported this week that Israel plans to build thousands of new homes in a bid to link the West Bank city of Maaleh Adumim to Jerusalem, a move that is likely to break up the contiguity of a future Palestinian state.

The scheme, orchestrated by Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, comes ahead of what is seen as the process of establishing Israel’s future borders. According to the report, Sharon approved the construction of 3,500 new homes last week.

The plan is currently in advanced stages of planning.

The ambitious project is expected to be built gradually, starting with 1,250 houses, followed by another 2,250 homes, and a final batch of 150 houses and old-age home for pensioners.

While the plan would connect Jerusalem to the more isolated community of Maaleh Adumim, it would also undermine the possibility of Palestinian territorial contiguity in the region.