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Last update - 00:00 19/06/2009
Lieberman: Israel's only dispute with U.S. is over settlements
By Natasha Mozgovaya, Haaretz Correspondent and Reuters
Tags: Avigdor Lieberman 

Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman told reporters in Washington on Thursday that Israel's only dispute with the United States is over the issue of West Bank settlements.

"There are many issues currently discussed by the United States and ourselves, at least 20 different points, and I think that we agree on 19 of those points," Lieberman said when asked about differences between Israel and the U.S. on settlements.

"So we can disagree on one issue, since both sides want to reach an understanding on that as well. No one is interested in deepening controversy, both sides are interested to find an agreed-upon formula, and we will reach an understanding."
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Lieberman was speaking a day after meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton.

He also repeated Thursday that Israel had refused to stop accommodating for "natural growth" in West Bank settlements, rejecting a demand to do so by United States President Barack Obama.

"We are not prepared to strangle our own people," Lieberman said, a day after making similar comments in the meeting with Clinton.

The foreign minister did, however, say that Israel did not plan on changing the demography of the West Bank by constructing new settlements.

In the meeting Wednesday, Clinton said that a total settlement freeze was an "important and essential" step toward achieving peace between Israel and the Palestinians.

Later Thursday, Lieberman said that Israel wants to see Iran's policy change no matter who emerges as president after a series of street protests over a disputed election.

Israel has played down the chances of seeing any regime change in Tehran despite the demonstrations over hardliner Mahmoud Ahmadinejad's declared victory over moderate Mirhossein Mousavi in Friday's presidential poll.

Asked by Channel 10 television who Israel would prefer to prevail in the Iranian contest, Lieberman replied: "What is preferable for Israel is for there to be a change in Iranian policy."

He insisted "Iran is much more dangerous" than North Korea, whose recent nuclear weapons tests triggered world alarm.

Lieberman also urged the West to impose stiffer economic sanctions against Iran to halt its nuclear development, similar to the measures pressed against Pyongyang.


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      1.   Who is doing th "strangling" 19:39  |  David USA 18/06/09
      2.   Settlements strangle growth 19:53  |  Peter Jones 18/06/09
      3.   Natural growth 20:06  |  PJW5552 18/06/09
      4.   One must wonder what is wrong with the 20:16  |  Mark Lincoln 18/06/09
      5.   setelment issue is part of the peace deal 20:34  |  Abuya 18/06/09
      6.   "Settlement freeze" and "natural growth" beg for a definition. 20:35  |  Fortuna Benmayor 18/06/09
      7.   Please itemize 00:38  |  Bazmann 19/06/09
      8.   lieberman can downplay the settlements, but 00:58  |  bronxite10 19/06/09
      9.   So true, Lieberman. So very true 01:02  |  Johnboy 19/06/09
      10.   Hold yours horses Lieberman! 01:19  |  WHG 19/06/09
      11.   Something everyone should keep in mind... 05:18  |  Johnboy 19/06/09
      12.   A good way to get territory without working for it 00:51  |  Witness 21/06/09
      13.   That is a matter of opinion 01:33  |  citizenkn 21/06/09
      14.   Settlement freeze what settlements RIGHT ??? 08:26  |  M. S. 27/06/09
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