Military

DATE=10-26-2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-268487

TITLE=CLINTON / MIDEAST (S ONLY)

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Clinton administration - still hopeful of putting the Middle East peace process back on track - has distanced itself from a resolution by the House of Representatives (Wednesday) condemning Palestinian leaders for this month's outbreak of violence in the region. V-O-A's David Gollust reports from the White House.

TEXT: The resolution - approved by an overwhelming 365 to 30 House vote - condemns Chairman Yasser Arafat and other Palestinian leaders for allegedly encouraging and then doing too little for too long to stop the unrest.

The administration opposed the measure, fearing it could undercut President Clinton's ability to be an impartial broker in peace talks. At a briefing,, White House spokesman Jake Seiwert called it unhelpful and stressed it is a non-binding expression of opinion:

/// SIEWERT ACTUALITY ///

People should understand on all sides that this is simply a House resolution. It doesn't have the force of law. It doesn't come to the President for signature. And we here in the administration don't think it's particularly useful.

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Mr. Clinton has proposed separate Washington meetings with Mr. Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak if the sides comply with truce commitments made at last week's summit in Egypt. He said Wednesday he thinks the Palestinian leader could "dramatically" reduce the level of violence. (Signed)

NEB/DAG/JWH assignments.neb-wire