JERUSALEM, Feb. 9 (Xinhuanet) -- The United States will not oppose evacuation of Gaza Strip settlements, but will not allow Israel to expand West Bank settlements concurrently, local newspaper Ha'aretz reported Monday.

    American officials cited by the newspaper said the United Statesexpects that Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's withdrawal plan will be complementary to the US-backed roadmap for a solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

    The US administration is not prepared to give up on the roadmap and to replace it with Sharon's unilateral plan, the officials added.

    One Jerusalem source was quoted as saying that Sharon may suggest initially evacuating isolated settlements and leave the evacuation of Gush Katif for a later phase, depending on what Israel receives in return from the United States.

    Three American envoys, Steve Hadley and Eliot Abrams from the White House and William Burns of the State Department, want to heardetails on the disengagement plan so that the US administration canprepare its final position on the plan, according to the report.

    Sharon's bureau chief, Dov Weisglass, will then travel to Washington for further talks ahead of Sharon's meeting with US President George W. Bush.

    Under the planned timetable, the main points of the plan will beagreed upon before the meeting of the two leaders,who will then iron out any necessary details. Enditem