Talk papers leaked

WASHINGTON, JANUARY 15: The United States on Thursday blasted the leak to an Israeli newspaper of the text of a working document intended to be a blueprint for a peace accord between Israel and Syria. State Department spokesman James Rubin said that while he was not surprised about the leak to the Haaretz newspaper, the publication of the document was 8220;particularly unhelpful8221; and damaged the peace process.

8220;With respect to what appeared in Haaretz, I think it is our view that it is particularly unhelpful for working documents and the confidentiality of the negotiations to be jeopardised,8221; Rubin told reporters. 8220;We believe this makes our job more difficult, it makes the cause of peace more difficult, but we intend to persevere nonetheless,8221; he said.

Earlier on Thursday, Haaretz published what appeared to be a verbatim copy of the document compiled by US mediators last week during the Israeli-Syrian talks in Shepherdstown, West Virgina. Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak8217;s office confirmed the authenticity of the document but said it was a preliminary draft.