The U.S. government is angered and embarrassed at Sharon’s statements regarding West Bank construction: Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and American President George W. Bush will discuss Israeli construction plans in the West Bank during their upcoming meeting in Texas, the White House announced.
Sharon said Monday the construction taking place near the West Bank town of Maale Adumim doesnot constitute a major breach of the agreements reached with the U.S.
The construction in the area, known as E1, is part of a 10-year-plan, he said.
U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and National Security Advisor Steve Hadley plan to discuss Sharon’s remarks with his political advisers Dov Weisglass and Shalom Turgeman, who arrived in Washington Monday.
The two came to the U.S. to prepare for Sharon’s meeting with President George W. Bush scheduled for April 12.
“For a while now there is anger in the administration regarding Israel’s moves pertaining to Maale Adumim and the leaking of (U.S Ambassador to Israel) Dan Kurtzer’s remarks,” a source close to the U.S. government told Ynet.
“The Americans are finding it hard to accept Israel’s explanations that the leaks to the media and the breakdowns in communication regarding the Kurtzer andMaale Adumim issues are part of internal political power struggles,” he said. “They are finding it hard to believe Sharon is not involved.”
U.S. remains concerned
U.S. State Department sources said in response to Sharon’s statements that Assistant Secretary of State David Welch and Deputy National Security Advisor Elliot Abrams have brought up the issue during personal meetings with Israeli public figures during their last visit to the country.
The sources said the U.S. remains concerned over any unilateral steps that may pre-determine the outcome of a permanent agreement.
“We will continue to follow the matter closely, in light of the fact that the freezing of the settlements is an obligation according to the Road Map,” a source said.