WASHINGTON, Dec. 18 (UPI) -- The White House said Thursday it would oppose any unilateral move by Israel to impose a Middle East peace settlement on the Palestinians.
"The United States believes that a settlement must be negotiated, and we would oppose any effort, any Israeli effort to impose a settlement," spokesman Scott McClellan said.
"Unilateral steps can help the road map move forward if they are part of the road map and steps under the road map ..."
Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, frustrated by the apparent derailment of President George W. Bush's peace plan, announced Thursday he would take steps to set up a security border if the impasse with Palestinians over continued terrorism continues much longer.
Some of the steps would include dismantling illegal Jewish settlements on Palestinian land but could also speed up completion of a controversial security fence that would encroach on Palestinian land.
McClellan said Washington is trying to breathe new life into the peace initiative.
