WASHINGTON - The White House is seeking Israeli clarifications over plans to build 50 residential units in the West Bank settlement of Elkana, near the Green Line. The Americans also want Israeli explanations regarding the possibility that the pullout plan's implementation could be delayed by several weeks to avoid clashing with the Tisha B'Av mourning period. “We will be seeking clarification from the government of Israel,” White House spokesman Scott McClellan said. “Israel should not be expanding settlements.” The latest remarks from the White House come a week after U.S President George W. Bush urged Sharon to freeze West Bank settlement expansion. “Prime Minister Sharon reiterated his commitment to the ‘road map’ just last week in Crawford, and his commitment to the president’s two-state vision,” McClellan said. “The road map has obligations for both parties.” McClellan said Israel should halt settlement expansion but also reiterated Bush’s call for Palestinian leaders “to dismantle terrorist organizations.” 'Israelis, Palestinians should cooperate' Regarding a possible pullout delay, the American spokesman said the most important thing was Sharon's progress on the disengagement front. Israelis and Palestinians should closely cooperate in facilitating the pullout, he said. Meanwhile, the Americans stressed new economic coordinator James Wolfensohn is responsible for facilitating economic coordination between Israel and the Palestinians. The overriding objective is to assist the Palestinians in the period after the Israeli pullout. Finance Ministry's Director General Yossi Bachar is currently in Washington. On Monday, he participated in a biannual meeting between senior American and Israeli figures. -Reuters also contributed to this report