US dismiss Israeli minister's comment on quick Mideast peace deal

WASHINGTON (AFP) - The United States said yesterday that Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak's overly pessimistic comment about forging a quick peace deal with Palestinians was not reflective of policy of the Jewish state.

"I don't think those comments as reported are reflective of the views of the (Israeli) Prime Minister (Ehud Olmert) nor of our understanding of Israeli policy," said State Department spokesman Tom Casey.

"I think we are very clear though where the Prime Minister is and where Israeli policy is going," he told reporters.

An Israeli newspaper quoted Barak as saying in private conversations that Israel would not withdraw from the West Bank before finding a solution to Palestinian rocket attacks, "which will take between three to five years."

Commenting on talks of a quick peace, the newspaper said Barak added: "The Israel public reacts sanely in not believing such fantasies ... for it is not possible to envisage a separation with the Palestinians before finding the means to protect the population against shootings" from rockets or missiles.

The United States is striving to forge a deal for the establishment of a Palestinian state ahead of an international meeting called for by President George W. Bush in the fall.

Casey said there was a "strong commitment" from Olmert and Palestinian President Mahmud Abbas for an ultimate peace agreement and two-state solution.

"But you know there certainly is politics that goes on in Israel and we will allow the political forces there to talk about it," he said.

Barak, who is also leader of the Labor Party in the ruling Israeli coalition, said the delay in finding a peace solution was necessary for the army to develop anti-rocket weaponry systems.

He said this had to be done because of the risk of attacks from the occupied West Bank, like those launched from the Gaza Strip after Israel's withdrawal two years ago.