Washington, March 12, SPA -- Israeli plans to build new settlements inoccupied portions of the West Bank are "not helpful" and violate theroadmap peace plan, US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice saidWednesday. "The United States considers the expansion of settlement activityto be not consistent with Israeli obligations under the roadmap, andwe've made that very clear," Rice told a congressional budgetcommittee. "And I've also said that it's certainly not helpful tothe peace process." The Palestinians have said they will not resume negotiationsuntil Israel declares an end to settlement activity after theIsraeli government this week announced plans to expand housing unitsin disputed East Al-Quds by as much as 550 units. Rice said the State Department is taking steps to ensure that anyaid to Israel will not be used in support of settlement activity. Theroadmap peace plans was drawn up by the United States, EuropeanUnion, United Nations and Russia and unveiled in 2003.--SPA www.spa.gov.sa/535960