- JERUSALEM (UPI) - U.S. Secretary
of State Colin Powell expressed concern Thursday over Israel's decision
to built nearly 600 new homes in three West Bank areas.
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- The Jerusalem Post said not only did Powell express his
concern, but also indicated Washington was considering including the cost
of Israel's security fence in deductions from the $9 billion in loan guarantees
the United States has pledged.
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- Powell, speaking to reporters in Washington, said: "The
president continues to believe the fence presents a problem. And to the
extent the fence intrudes on Palestinian land, that problem is exacerbated."
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- Added Powell: "We also have concerns about continuing
settlement activity on the part of the Israelis. And we are examining the
loan-guarantee program to determine what we should do about it and how
it should be reflected in the actions we might take, either with respect
to settlements or the fence."
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- Reacting to the Israeli plans to build more homes, a
Palestinian official told the Ha'aretz news agency, "The Israeli government
always wanted to assassinate the road map, and they are doing just that."
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