PM's Office: US, Israel close to deal on freeze

[bemildred]

Another sterling example of spin.

The Prime Minister's Office was optimistic regarding negotiations with the US over a deal to freeze construction in settlements, despite reports that special envoy George Mitchell had postponed his trip to Israel due to Benjamin Netanyahu's decision to approve 500 new housing units in the West Bank.

"Israel and the US continue to grow closer, and the gaps in talks with Mitchell are closing," an official from the Prime Minister's Office told Ynet.

Mitchell is scheduled to arrive in Israel on Saturday evening for a two-day visit. On Sunday he is scheduled to meet with Defense Minister Ehud Barak, and on Monday he is scheduled to meet with Netanyahu.

The envoy was at first scheduled to arrive Thursday, prompting rumors that the delay was over the approval of building plans in the West Bank. But both sides claim talks are progressing and that renewal of Israeli-Palestinian negotiations would take place as planned, on the sidelines of the UN Security Council meeting on September 23.

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3773063,00.html