LOC20:30
17:30 GMT
Jerusalem
ROME, Nov 9 (KUNA) -- Italy said Tuesday it was frustrated at Israel's
decision to build 1,300 housing units in occupied East Jerusalem in a blatant
challenge of the international community's efforts to salvage the peace
negotiations.
"We have received a bucket of cold water today," Foreign Minister Franco
Frattini said in a statement in reaction of the Israeli decision.
Frattini, making the comments on sidelines of the Italy-Turkey dialogue
forum, said Italy was one of Israel's best friends in Europe.
When "you wake up on news of granting of licenses to build a few thousands
of houses (in East Jerusalem) is something honestly we as a friend for Israel
would not wanted to see," he said. (end)
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KUNA 092030 Nov 10NNNN