US security envoy said to be frustrated with Israeli disruption of PA`s efforts

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"The US security envoy to the Palestinian territories, General Keith Dayton, is reportedly frustrated with what he sees as a deliberate Israeli attempt to disrupt and thwart the efforts of the Palestinian security forces in the West Bank.

Dayton reportedly made the comments a few days ago at a meeting with a number of high-ranking foreign diplomats in the West Bank city of Ramallah, and some dangerous political expressions slipped off his tongue, sources close to one of the foreign consuls who attended the meeting told Ma`an.

Dayton reportedly talked about four points:

First: The Palestinian Authority (PA) has been very seriously addressing security issues in attempts to implement the first stage of the US-backed Road Map peace plan, but Israel continues to impede this effort.

Second: Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and the Israeli military leadership are expending every effort to impede the success of the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank.

Third: Dayton reportedly asked the foreign consuls, `How could the Palestinian Authority impose law and order in territories which are not under its control, such as B and C zones, which are under Israeli control, and have become a shelter for fugitive?`

Fourth: Dayton said, `When we ask the Israelis and their security and military services such questions, we get no reasonable answers."

more

[Violet_Crumble]

1. Frustrated? It's time to whip out the half-hearted condemnation of Israel form!

US Department Of State Form #198754 SECTION I
Half-hearted condemnation of Israel

* The statement generated by this document is not intended to be disseminated as a whole, or in any official capacity. Statements A,B,C and D should be issued separately in press interviews or speeches given by Condaleeza Rice.

A. The United States finds Israel's (demolition of houses/extralegal assassination of militants/killing of children/security fence construction/settlement construction) (very/deeply)(troubling/concerning).

B. This issue is (a subject of conversation/a subject of concern/worrisome/not productive/problematic).

C. Nevertheless, Israel is a democracy/free nation/vibrant Jewish state), and a (friend/ally/ally in the war on terror). It has (a/the/every) right to defend (itself/its sovereignty/its citizens) against (terror/acts of terror/unwarranted attacks/these insurgents/miltants/terrorists).

D. The United States supports (the rights of the Palestinian people/the right to Palestinian statehood/a two state solution) but urges Palestine to (renounce terror/reject violence/reject failed leaders). Only then can we (embrace the chance for peace/take bold steps forward)The United States remains (strongly/absolutely) committed to (peace/the roadmap/two states living side by side in peace).

Originally from one of the Chaser annuals....

[Scurrilous]

2. Israel and the U.S. / Washington dissatisfied with Israel's footdragging in W. Bank

<snip>

"Tension between Jerusalem and Washington is intensifying over the latter's frustration over the stasis in the West Bank, especially with regard to the removal of roadblocks and the evacuation of settlement outposts. The Americans feel that Israel is not keeping its promises to improve the day-to-day life of West Bank Palestinians.

A trilateral committee to monitor implementation of the first stage of the road map is scheduled to hold its first meeting on Friday. The meeting will be conducted by U.S. General William Fraser, who was appointed by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice to follow progress on the road map. Defense Minister Ehud Barak was originally set to attend the meeting, but he decided to send a senior adviser, Amos Gilad, in his stead. That could prove embarrassing, as the Palestinian side will be represented by Prime Minister Salam Fayyad.

A senior Israeli official said the meeting is expected to be difficult, as Fraser is expected to present a report of road map violations likely to be critical of Israel's failure to remove roadblocks and its continued settlement construction. On the other hand, the official noted, the Palestinians can expect criticism over last week's terror attack in Jerusalem and other issues related to the war on terror.

"Real tension has developed with the Americans, and if there are no steps on the ground we will find ourselves in big trouble," the Israeli source said. He added that in the eyes of the Americans and of other members of the international community, "a gap has developed between the Israeli-Palestinian negotiations on the core issues and events on the ground." He said the Americans feel the Israeli military is not taking action to ease civilian life in the West Bank.

Rice repeatedly speaks about "steps on the ground," usually in reference to the lifting of restrictions on movement in the West Banks and the removal of roadblocks, as well as the evacuation of illegal outposts and an end to settlement expansion. Most of Rice's frustration is directed at Barak. In their meeting during her visit to the region last week, Rice reiterated her demand to see "steps on the ground" in the West Bank."

more