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July 16, 1999/3 Av 5759, Vol. 51, No.41
Policy differences may test U.S.-Israeli relations
MATTHEW DORF
Jewish Telegraphic Agency
WASHINGTON - When the dust settles from official Washington's euphoria that is greeting Israel's new prime minister, fundamental policy disagreements are likely to test President Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. How they handle the challenge of reconciling differing positions on key issues such as settlements, refugees and borders will set the stage for a crucial period in U.S.-Israeli relations.
Will Clinton articulate positions supporting Israel's negotiating partners as the Jewish state embarks on an aggressive push for comprehensive peace with Syria, Lebanon and the Palestinians? Or will the president hold his tongue if he and Barak, as expected, develop a warm relationship?
These are the questions many pro-Israel activists are asking as the Clinton administration readies a major offensive to support Barak's efforts to restart Middle East peace talks. Following meetings with Barak on Thursday, July 15, and Monday, July 19, Clinton plans to send Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to the region to help move the process forward.
Virtually overnight, Barak has changed the tone and tenor of a host of relationships with the Arab states, the Palestinians and the United States.
At press time, Barak was scheduled to arrive in Washington on Wednesday night, July 14, following a Middle East tour that brought him face-to-face with Egyptian President Hosni Mu-barak, Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Ara-fat and Jordan's King Abdullah.
Barak, who was elected by wide margins in May, has pledged an aggressive and quick push to renew peace negotiations that stalled under former Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Barak's moves to rekindle personal relations with Arab leaders, and specifically his embrace of Arafat as a "partner" has heightened expectations for a final settlement with the Palestinians, a peace treaty with Syria and an agreement that would result in the removal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon. But as one Barak supporter said, "He won't just accept the Arab position tomorrow."
After meeting with Arafat last weekend, Barak frankly discussed the difficulities that
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