Shalom, Rice, Powell to settle dispute over security fence

[Gimel]

Foreign Minister Silvan Shalom will meet US National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice and Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday to discuss the American position on the security fence, in the midst of reports that the Israeli-American disagreement over its proposed route remains intact.

<snip>

"There's no question that the Americans do not back the route we would like," Shalom told Israel Radio. However, he said, no final decision has been made."The prime minister will need to bring this to the cabinet, where the optional routes will be presented, and a decision made."

<snip>

Weisglass outlined a possible Israeli plan to encircle Ariel and nearby settlements with individual fences, and leave open the option of linking those fences to the main barrier.

<snip>

The official said Rice endorsed this approach. However, Washington is still troubled by some additional areas of planned construction along the main route. In the meantime, Israel Radio reported, the US will not deduct the cost of the security fence off the loan guarantees. Israeli sources said US officials understand the Israeli position though they do not accept it.

<snip>
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/A/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1064373871628

[UserNamesAreFree]

1. I understand Israel's desire

for a wall to protect itself, and the apartheid wall talk is over the top. But building the wall through Palestinian territory makes it seem they're creating an obstacle to peace...

[wtmusic]

2. 'Makes it seem'?

If your neighbor built a fence through your back yard, would that be an obstacle to your friendship?

[UserNamesAreFree]

3. You're right

It is an obstacle to peace...

[drdon326]

4. LOL

IF your "neighbor" was sending over a bunch of psycho
murdering jihadofascists, youre damn right I'll build
a wall to protect myself.

[UserNamesAreFree]

5. I can understand the wall

The concern is about it being placed through Palestinian territory...

[drdon326]

6. Buffer zone

.

[UserNamesAreFree]

7. Pleading ignorance

but I understood the wall went into Palestinian territory primarily to protect some settlements. I'm not sure how far it goes beyond the boundary...

[Gimel]

8. A defacto border?

In the absence of an agreed upon border, if an Israeli seetlement ws outside the fence would that constitute a defacto border, and leave the settlement unprotected? Same could be said for Arab interests on the Israeli side. I understand that it was complicated for both sides interests.

[UserNamesAreFree]

9. My understanding is

the 1967 border or Green Line was considered the ultimate boundaries for Israel in a peace accord, but the settlements and wall beyond that impede an agreement. Of course, now that the settlements and wall are realities, they have to be dealt with...