Annan criticizes Bush's shift in Mideast policy

[Classical_Liberal]

Annan criticizes Bush's shift in Mideast policy
New York, Apr 15 (DPA) U.N. Secretary-General Kofi Annan criticized U.S. President George Bush for ''ignoring'' the concerns of the Palestinians by supporting Israel's right to some West Bank settlements.

U.N. spokesman Stephane Dujarric yesterday said the secretary-general reiterated his position that unresolved issues in a final West Asia peace deal ''should be determined in negotiations between the parties, based on relevant Security Council resolutions''.

''He strongly believes that they (Israelis and Palestinians) should refrain from taking any steps that would prejudice or pre-empt the outcome of such talks,'' Dujarric added.

The comments came after Bush took a shift in West Asia policy by endorsing Israel's right to hold onto some major settlements in the West Bank as part of a peace deal with the Palestinians.........

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