Downing Street gives no comment on Bush Mideast plan

Downing Street has refrained from commenting on George Bush's plan for a Palestinian settlement.

Downing Street's official spokesman has told RIA Novosti that the British government remains in constant contact with the US administration. Nevertheless, he did not answer a question as whether or not Washington and London had conducted consultations before Bush unveiled his plan for a Middle East settlement.

The spokesman said that London's official position in relation to resolving the Middle East conflict was that the Palestinians had the right to their own state, while Israel had the right to security.

When asked if London supported Bush's idea to change the Palestinian leadership, the Downing Street spokesman replied that the Palestinians had the right to choose their own leader. However, in essence the spokesman evaded giving a direct answer to the question.

Downing Street also did not begin to comment on whether London agreed with the tenets in the Bush plan to end the conflict between the Palestinians and the Israelis.