Let's face it. United States is pro-Israeli. There is a large tradition of support for Israel and United States still upholds that they will give Israel the qualitative military edge but the United States is also pro-peace. We're not committed to everything that the Israelis do or all the policies that they have. I think most in my government feel - that issues like settlements are contradictory to both the efforts we're making for peace, as well as the Israelis's own interest.
Settlements are as much a final status issue as is the Unilateral Declaration of Independent states.
So if we're going to tell the Palestinians you can't declare a unilateral declaration of independent states, we should be telling the Israelis you can't build any more houses in these settlements. Because they're both unilateral actions that pre-judge the final steps. My personal view was firstly, that it should have never been held. President Arafat said he wasn't ready, that he needed another month. I believe he's right.