Israeli, Palestinians have begun indirect talks: USIsraeli, Palestinians have begun indirect talks: US
AFP
AFP Global Edition
Mar 08, 2010
The United States announced Monday that the Palestinians and Israelis have begun indirect peace negotiations, the first of any talks held since Israel's brief war in Gaza in December 2008.
State Department spokesman Philip Crowley also said Israel's move to build 112 new homes in a Jewish settlement in the occupied West Bank fits with a moratorium announced last year but urged caution about such moves.
Crowley said he was "certain" the indirect Israeli-Palestinian talks had started.
"I believe they've started. I think they're underway. As to how substantive the discussions were today, George (Mitchell) is on his way back (to Washington)," he told reporters.
He added that Mitchell will report to Secretary of State Hillary Clinton about the talks.
He said the early stage of the talks "will work on how the process will take place."
Crowley appeared to show some discomfort with Israel's giving the green light for the building of 112 new homes in the Beitar Illit settlement near Bethlehem in the occupied West Bank.
The news surfaced as US Vice President Joe Biden arrived in the region, a day after the Palestinians agreed to hold indirect talks with Israel while warning that further settlement growth would threaten the entire peace process.
"We have discussed this housing project with Israeli officials. We were informed this was not a new project, and under the terms of the moratorium Israel announced in November, construction on them can be completed," he said.
"On the one hand, it does not violate the moratorium the Israelis previously announced," he said when asked if his answer meant there was no US objection at all to the new houses.
"On the other hand, this is the kind of thing that both sides have to be cautious about as we move ahead with these parallel talks," Crowley said.
"When you're in talks of this kind, you have to recognize the interests and perception of the other side," he said when pressed whether it could be construed as provocative.
"And both sides should be cautious about actions that might be either perceived within the region or that might be exploited by those who want to create obstacles to further progress," Crowley said.
In an earlier statement, Mitchell appeared to allude to the new building.
"We also again encourage the parties, and all concerned, to refrain from any statements or actions which may inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of these talks," he said.
Mitchell said he will return to the region next week to work out further details on the scope and structure of the talks.
He repeated hopes that the indirect talks "will lead to direct negotiations as soon as possible."
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