JERUSALEM, Aug. 26 (UPI) -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice Tuesday urged restraint in the latest debate over Israeli housing construction on the West Bank.
Speaking at a Jerusalem news conference with Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livini, Rice said that the final border between the Palestinian Authority and Israel would be determined through negotiation, and neither side should do anything to upset the process.
"I think it's no secret, and I've said it to my Israeli counterparts, that I don't think the settlement activity is helpful to the process, that in fact, what we need now are steps that enhance confidence between the parties," Rice said. "Anything that undermines confidence between the parties ought to be avoided."
Livini dismissed the notion that breaking ground on new West Bank construction was aimed at bogging down the talks.
Rice will also meet with PA officials on her brief Middle East swing.
Ynetnews said a statement issued by the Israeli government Tuesday said Prime Minister Ehud Olmert and Rice shared the view that an agreement could be reached by the end of the year.
