WASHINGTON, March 9 (KUNA) -- The United States condemns the decision by the government of Israel on advance planning for new housing units in East Jerusalem, White House spokeman Robert Gibbs said on Tuesday.
"I do not believe that either the substance or the timing is particularly helpful and, I think, runs counter to the very productive talks that the vice president was having in the region," Gibbs said during a briefing, referring to ongoing efforts by US Vice President Joe Biden to revive Palestinian-Israeli negotiations.
Gibbs noted that Biden was to make a longer statement on the topic from Jerusalem.
Biden's statement was very similar to the language used by Gibbs.
Biden said unilateral action by either party cannot prejudge the outcome of negotiations on permanent status issues.
Biden noted that US special Mideast envoy George Mitchell had recently said, in announcing new Israeli-Palestinian proximity talks, "we encourage the parties and all concerned to refrain from any statements or actions which may inflame tensions or prejudice the outcome of these talks." (end) rm.bs KUNA 100014 Mar 10NNNN¬