During her Sunday meeting with US Secretary of State Dr. Condoleezza Rice, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni assured the senior US official that Israel has no “hidden agenda” and does not plan any major settlement expansion, referring to construction in communities throughout Yehuda and Shomron.

Using Ariel Sharon’s Disengagement Plan to strengthen her position, she explained that the dismantling of Gaza was proof that communities are not “an obstacle to peace” and the same should be understood regarding the communities in Yehuda and Shomron today.

Touching on the ongoing investigation against the prime minister, Livni assured Rice that the government remains stable. Rice replied that this is an internal issue and it does not concern her.

Should Olmert be compelled to step down from office, Livni would take his place until new elections.

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)