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US recognizes no settlements deal with Israel
[Iran Press TV Latest] US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton has rejected Israeli claims that the Bush administration had reached a binding agreement with Israel on settlements. "We have the negotiating record that is the official record that was turned over to the Obama administration by the outgoing Bush administration," Clinton said at a joint press conference with her Turkish counterpart Ahmet Davutoglu. "There is no memorialisation of any informal or oral agreement," the top US diplomat added. It may seem that the George W. Bush-era attitude towards Israel has changed markedly since Obama took office. In 2001, Bush made Israel's Ariel Sharon one of his earliest guests at the White House. He gave Sharon a free hand in everything the hawkish Israeli leader wanted, from attacking towns in the occupied territories to building the infamous separation barrier. Obama seems to be less accommodating to Israel. While he makes the ritual pledges of support for Israel demanded by the powerful pro-Israel political lobby, he has taken steps to restore some balance. Since taking office, Obama' envoy, George Mitchell, has made several trips to the region, pressing Israel to freeze settlement-building on occupied Arab land. Posted by: Fred 2009-06-06 |
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