Quds city, Aug 22, SPA -- A Palestinian official on Sunday accused the United States of harming prospects for Mideast peace after the latest indications that Washington is ready to accept some Israeli expansion of West Bank settlements. Nabil Abu Rdeneh, a top aide to Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, called the American shift "harmful to the peace process and a violation of the road map." He called on the White House "to clarify this position, which encourages the Israeli government to continue and escalate its war against the Palestinian people." The New York Times reported Saturday that the United States will now tacitly support construction in built-up areas of major Jewish settlements, while remaining opposed to housing activity in undeveloped areas. Previously, U.S. officials publicly demanded a total freeze on settlement construction, in line with the internationally backed "road map" peace plan. --MORE 1347 Local Time 1047 GMT
