Israel, Palestinians more pessimistic on peace

8:00 AM

JERUSALEM - Israelis and Palestinians are voicing increasing pessimism that a Middle East deal can be forged before the end of U.S. President Bill Clinton's term of office, now just two weeks away.

Israel Radio quoted Israeli negotiator Gilead Sher as saying after talks with Clinton on Saturday (NZDT) that time had run out for a deal with the Palestinians and the "best that could be hoped for" was a declaration by Clinton outlining a future accord.

A Palestinian security chief in Gaza, Mohammed Dahlan, said Palestinians would not accept a partial deal or a declaration of principles.

"Our experience with Israel shows it doesn't respect deals and doesn't implement them," he told Reuters.

"This time we want a clear, final deal for every issue of the final status issues."

White House officials gave few details of the Clinton-Sher meeting, except to say that the president would consider points raised by the Israeli official.

In key provisions of the Clinton peace plan, the Palestinians would give up the right of refugees to return to their old homes inside Israel in exchange for sovereignty over parts of Jerusalem.

National Security Council spokesman P.J. Crowley said;
"We're going to take a couple of days to evaluate their views, then I think in the next couple of days, Sunday or Monday, we'll be in a position to say what happens next."

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak had said Sher's main priority in Washington was to discuss the violence.

Israel Radio quoted Israeli officials as saying the door to peace talks remained open following a Palestinian response on Tuesday to the U.S. plan, but that there was no point yet in direct contact between the sides.

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat met Clinton in Washington on Tuesday to discuss the peace outline. White House officials said Arafat had approved it, with reservations.

Palestinian Planning Minister Nabil Shaath told Israel Channel Two television on Saturday that it was important to continue the talks even though "what remains in time is very short and the matters are very complex and very difficult".

U.S. Central Intelligence Agency Director George Tenet planned to leave for Cairo today (NZDT) to meet Palestinian and Israeli security officials to try to stop the fighting, a CIA official said.

- REUTERS

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