Israel Unlikely to Extend Building Curb09/05 08:59

   Israel's defense minister says a slowdown in West Bank settlement 
construction is unlikely to continue in its current form after it expires at 
the end of this month.

   JERUSALEM (AP) -- Israel's defense minister says a slowdown in West Bank 
settlement construction is unlikely to continue in its current form after it 
expires at the end of this month.

   But Ehud Barak says he does not believe Israel will entirely cancel the 
10-month curbs. Barak appeared to be leaving room for a compromise that might 
allow the Palestinians to continue the fragile direct negotiations that began 
in Washington last week.

   Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas says he warned Netanyahu last week he 
will leave the talks if Israel doesn't extend the slowdown.

   Barak noted that Israel had permitted limited construction in settlements 
during the slowdown and he expects some construction to continue after the 
Sept. 26 deadline.


(KA)