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General William Fraser. (Archives) Israel and the U.S. / Washington dissatisfied with Israel's footdragging in W. Bank By Barak Ravid Tags: West Bank, Israel, U.S., PA 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. Advertisement "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. She told a press conference that neither Israel nor the Palestinian Authority had done enough to meet their commitments since last November's Annapolis conference. Yesterday Rice spoke again about violations of the road map, specifically mentioning that Israel's recent announcements of new construction plans in East Jerusalem and the West Bank were "unhelpful" to the peace process. Quartet envoy Tony Blair is also unhappy about Israel's activities on the West Bank and its failure to take steps to improve Palestinian civilian life. He said as much to Barak during their meeting on Wednesday. While Blair is still optimistic about his mission, many of the projects he is championing face obstacles, largely due to opposition from the Israeli military establishment. Related articles: FM: Israel to stop W. Bank settlement activities Islamic Jihad fires 15 rockets at Israel, ending week lull Wagner show in Nazi-era hall to raise funds for Ramallah venue Bookmark to del.icio.us   Hezbollah scare Lebanese group's influence has dramatically increased in the West Bank. Literary boycott Peres calls Muslim countries' shunning of Paris Book Fair 'most ridiculous.'

Today Online Abbas accuses Israel of 'ethnic cleansing' in Jerusalem Responses: 218 At least 30 Qassam rockets fired into Israel from Gaza since Wed. Responses: 172 Amira Hass: PA officials should act more like Gandhi Responses: 75 Poll: Half of Jewish public oppose Arabs in their neighborhoods Responses: 127 Wagner show in Nazi-era hall to raise funds for Ramallah venue Responses: 81 More Headlines 22:40 At least 30 Qassam rockets fired into Israel from Gaza since Wed. 22:13 Israel Bank intervenes in foreign currency market, buys dollars 01:35 Israel and France have a second honeymoon as Peres visits Sarkozy 02:39 Deputy TA mayor: Gov't reneges on promise to help refugees 01:01 Police arrest rabbi for 'inciting Palestinians' in East Jerusalem 20:56 Jerusalem yeshiva commemorates 8 students slain in terror attack 19:07 Ban: Israel must halt 'excessive force' against Palestinians 02:22 Jerusalem parents held in suspicion of torturing 3- and 4-year-old boys 02:48 Israel falls behind the times in having woman parliamentarians 22:23 Abbas accuses Israel of committing 'ethnic cleansing' in Jerusalem 00:43 Rubinstein competition / Exalted strokes outweigh the flaws 23:17 Traffic cop jailed for shooting at drivers who refused to pull over 20:38 Two Kiryat Ata men arrested for attacking Arab workers Previous Editions Select Day 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar 09 mar 07 mar 06 mar 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar 29 feb

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