Top U.S. officials in Mideast

WASHINGTON, April 19 (UPI) -- Top U.S. officials will meet both Israelis and Palestinians Wednesday to discuss the "road map" and Gaza disengagement, the State Department said Tuesday.

David Welch, the U.S. assistant secretary of state for near east affairs, and Eliot Abrams, deputy national security adviser, were to discuss "the full range of issues" with both sides, deputy department spokesman Adam Ereli said.

Israel's plan to pull out of the Gaza Strip this summer is likely to be discussed, as is the "road map" to peace. Also likely to be on the agenda is Israel's decision to build some 50 housing units in Elkana, near the West Bank town of Nablus, a move Palestinians say prejudges issues that were supposed to have been declared at the final stages of talks.

Washington criticized that move Monday.

White House spokesman Scott McClellan told reporters President Bush "made his views pretty clear" when he informed Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon during their meeting last week that Israel should not expand settlements.

The "road map" is the international plan that calls for mutual confidence-building measures between the two sides, culminating in an independent Palestinian state and peace and security for Israel.