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August 26, 2009

Israeli PM, US Envoy to Discuss Settlement Dispute
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Benjamin Netanyahu says Israel working to reach compromise with US that
will allow Israelis to continue building controversial settlements while
restarting peace talks 
Israel's prime minister says his government hopes to reopen talks with
Palestinians soon to achieve the "common goal" of regional peace.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Speaking in London Wednesday
ahead of talks with U.S. envoy George Mitchell, Prime Minister Benjamin
Netanyahu said his government has taken steps in "both words and deeds"
to move forward in resuming what he called "normal talks."Mr. Netanyahu
said Tuesday that Israel is working to reach a compromise with the
United States that will allow Israelis to continue building
controversial settlements while restarting peace talks with
Palestinians. U.S. and Palestinian officials want Israel to stop
construction in East Jerusalem and West Bank settlements in order to
encourage peace talks. But Mr. Netanyahu has said Israel will not accept
attempts to limit construction in Jerusalem. He said he hopes that
during upcoming talks with U.S. officials, they will find a way to both
enter peace talks and allow settlement residents to continue with their
lives. The United States has not responded. British Prime Minister
Gordon Brown, who met with the Israeli leader in London, said he is more
optimistic about making progress on the peace process. Mr. Brown also
repeated calls for a halt to settlement construction. This week the
Israeli prime minister will also meet with German Chancellor Angela
Merkel. Officials involved with the talks say they do not expect any
breakthroughs.

Some information for this report was provided by AFP, AP and Reuters. 


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