This report literaly makes me want to cry. Such reports must be "read between the lines", of course. "Quiet diplomacy" in these days, due to the series of unacceptable U.S.A. responses can not mean anything good.

You know if we could read the report, knowing we could depend on Clinton to favor the "moral high ground" and thus NOT support the institutionalized terrorism of Israel, we could get a hopeful message from this report. But, there is nothing to indicate we can depend on him in that way, as we should be able to.

When we read it from the perspective Clinton demonstrably takes of unconditional support of Israel .... well especially there at the end about forcing events being hard, hard work...

Mary

(Quiet diplomacy best to deal with situation, Clinton says) (920) By Wendy S. Ross USIA White House Correspondent

Washington -- President Clinton and Jordan's King Hussein discussed ways to get the Middle East peace process back on track in an hour-long conversation in the Oval Office April 1.

"What I think we have to do is restore the environment of security and of confidence so we can go forward with the negotiating process," Clinton told reporters as the meeting began. "This is a difficult time for the peace process, and we have a lot to talk about."

"What we want to do is to see these final status issues, as envisioned by the Oslo Agreement, actually and honestly negotiated without prejudice. I think that is the clear thing that I want to drive home here," Clinton said.

For the first 45 minutes the two leaders spoke alone and then invited their delegations to join them for 15 minutes more of an expanded meeting.

Following the meeting, Clinton told reporters that "I am prepared personally to do anything I can to get this process back on track and to move it forward. But the less I say about it, the more likely I am to have some success in doing that -- particularly in the next two to three weeks when we have got to try to keep the lid on things over there."

Clinton said he was "encouraged by what I would have to call creative thinking on the part of all the parties involved, and I would include the Israelis and the Palestinians in that right now."

King Hussein is the fourth Middle East leader in the past two months to meet at the White House with Clinton as he seeks to give the peace process new impetus. He met earlier with Israel's President Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestine Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat and Egypt's President Hosni Mubarak.

The President had "a good exchange of specific ideas with the King on which he declined to elaborate," White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry said. Both before and after the meeting, the President said "this is a moment where we best conduct our diplomacy quietly, make an effort to build bridges between the parties, explore different avenues that could be productive. It's best left unspecified," what steps are being contemplated, McCurry said.

As the meeting started, Clinton told the press he would thank Hussein "for his continuing devotion to peace, the particularly courageous trip he recently took to Israel... I think it's clear that we would not have gotten the agreement in Hebron had it not been for his leadership, and his leadership is essential as we go forward."

"But let me say unambiguously, a precondition of going forward is a commitment to zero tolerance for terrorism, to making the best effort," in that regard, Clinton said.

"There has to be an attitude of zero tolerance," the President said, a determination to do all that can reasonably be done to maintain peace so that then negotiated progress can be made. That's what the United States expects and that's what we continue to press for," he said.

He said Palestinian Authority Chairman Arafat has "made several moves over the last few days which were encouraging" in that regard.

Asked if Palestinians have no rights to defend their land, Clinton said, "The subjects that are clearly identified as to be negotiated in the final status (negotiations) should be negotiated in that way. And I've made that clear whether any side likes it or not. But I don't believe there is an excuse for terrorism in any case. I believe terrorism is always wrong."

Asked if Clinton plans to send Secretary of State Albright to the Middle East, Clinton said, "I certainly want her to go, but I want it to be part of a clear strategy designed to produce progress. I will make the decision in consultation with Secretary Albright and my entire team but also with King Hussein and our other friends in the region. I couldn't say it better than his Majesty did that we want it to be a trip that will actually be part of a strategy designed to move the process forward."

Asked if Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is coming to Washington early next week for an American-Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) meeting, Clinton said: "I understand he is coming and I certainly hope to see him, I expect to see him. If he is able to keep his travel plans and come on over for the AIPAC meeting I would certainly take some time to see him. I think it's important for us to talk and I'm glad he's coming."

Clinton said that preceding his meeting with King Hussein he held two "extended" meetings with U.S. Special Middle East negotiator Dennis Ross, who has just returned from the region.

Earlier in the day, White House Press Secretary Mike McCurry said the United States plays "an important role as a facilitator" in the search for peace in the Middle East, "as someone who can help the parties understand each other better and reflect on their positions and come to understanding. That role will continue, it's indispensable," he said. "It involves the President engaged at moments at which the President's engagement can be a forcing event in the process...aimed at moving things in the process. This is hard, hard work and part of that hard work is what we are doing now." NNNN