Lieberman tells Clinton settlements won't be frozen

[Scurrilous]

Meeting between foreign minister, US secretary of state manifests deep disagreement between Obama administration, Netanyahu's government. Clinton demands stop to settlements, Lieberman says Israel reached understandings with Bush administration

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3733186,00.html

<snip>

"Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on Wednesday evening that Israel would not freeze the construction of settlements.

"People are born and people die in Judea and Samaria, and the settlements cannot be completely frozen," Lieberman said during a meeting with Clinton in Washington.

"Our stance is clear. We have understandings with the previous administration on their matter," he added.

Clinton reiterated the stance voiced by President Barack Obama, saying that the United States wanted to see a stop to settlements.

The secretary of state stressed in response to Lieberman's claims that there was no written or oral agreement from President Bush's era approved by any American participant. She implied, however, that a compromise could be reached between Israel and the US."

[wryter2000]

1. What...is he Chancellor of Israel now?

I wish Tom Lantos were still alive.

[LeftishBrit]

2. He's the Israeli Foreign Minister, not Chancellor.

(It's not the American politician Joe Lieberman, in case that is causing confusion.)

[wryter2000]

10. Smacks head

Too late to edit now. Thanks for the clarification. I guess I have a bad reaction when I see the name Lieberman.

[elehhhhna]

4. whaddaya mean by "now"?

[azurnoir]

3. Mitchell: US says no “natural growth” for Israeli settlements

Bethlehem - Ma’an - American Middle East Envoy George Mitchell called reports saying the US agreed to “consider natural growth” in settlement construction “highly inaccurate” during a news briefing in Washington Tuesday.

“Our position is clear,” he added, “In 2003, Israel agreed to the Roadmap. It calls for a stop to settlements. We believe there should be a stop to settlements.”
Mitchell said the generally accepted definition for “natural growth” was based on the number of births, and insisted the US was clear on its demand for a halt to all settlement expansion including natural growth.

http://www.maannews.net/en/index.php?opr=ShowDetails&ID=38634

At this point any Israeli official wanting to speak to American officials regarding the "peace process" should be referred to Mr Mitchell

[Thrill]

5. Looks like Obama is going to have to take some tough action against them

Cut off some money and weapons supplies for a while. Until they see how serious he is. Don't accept any meetings or phone calls from them.

[bemildred]

6. "Israel decides to Go It alone" nt

[azurnoir]

7. Oh no not at all, theres support in the Netherlands

Dutch anti-Islamic MP: 'Israel is West's first line of defense'

Israel will be a major part of Geert Wilders' next film on Islam, the rightist Dutch legislator said last week in an interview for Haaretz. He praised Avigdor Lieberman, observing "similarities" between Yisrael Beiteinu and the Party for Freedom - a small movement which has grown to become Holland's second most popular.

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/1093861.html

[LeftishBrit]

8. With friends like Wilders, who needs enemies?

Who next, Nick Griffin and LePen?

I hope for Israel's sake that Avigdor Lieberman gets kicked out of the government, and hopefully sent to jail (he is under indictment for corruption), before his party starts forming alliances with every extreme-right party in Europe.

[azurnoir]

9. Until I saw the article I had even considered that possibility

lets hope it doesn't happen.