Clinton is prepared to reconvene a meeting, intense but shorter than last month's Camp David talks, but only if he is assured that the Israelis and Palestinians are ready to settle all outstanding issues, including Jerusalem, the New York times reported quoting a senior official.
Clinton has sent messages to both sides, the official said adding There has also been a wide array of contacts between senior Israeli and Palestinian officials, although no direct contact between Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.
The pressure to move quickly has intensified because the administration has concluded that the Israeli government will not be able to survive very long after parliament reconvenes. Recently published opinion polls in Israel suggest Barak's popularity has dropped precipitously. If he is still in dire straits when parliament returns, the rightist Opposition Party Likud is likely to succeed in manoeuvering for new elections.
There is not a huge window of time that is available, The administration official told the times.
Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat has threatened to declare a Palestinian state on September 13, the deadline set by both sides for a final peace agreement, if there is no such accord by the time.
Bureau Report