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Published 11 Dec, 2010 08:35pm

Palestinians to decide on return to indirect talks

AP

The officials also expressed disappointment with the Obama administration, saying the U.S. should have held Israel accountable for the latest impasse, instead of saying both parties bear responsibility.

Washington's proposed return to indirect negotiations comes days after the U.S. announced that it has abandoned weekslong efforts to persuade Israel to extend a settlement construction slowdown in exchange for security and diplomatic incentives. The Palestinians have said they will not resume negotiations as long as expanding settlements grab more of the land they want for a future state.

Both the European Union and the U.N. rebuked Israel this week over its refusal to stop building settlements in the West Bank and east Jerusalem, lands Israel occupied in the 1967 Mideast War.

Despite the setback, the Obama administration wants to keep talking to both sides — separately — about the main components of any future peace deal, including the borders of a Palestinian state and security arrangements for Israel, U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said Friday.

The hope is that progress in indirect talks could pave the way for resuming direct negotiations.

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