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Barak, Clinton Discuss Mideast Peace Prospect over Telephone
Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak discussed his resignation and the Mideast peace process with US President Bill Clinton in a phone conversation Monday night, said the Prime Minister's Office Tuesday, December 12.
The two also discussed the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the meeting Barak held on Monday with the international fact- finding committee investigating into the 10-week Israeli- Palestinian conflict, the office said.
Israel Radio Tuesday quoted senior officials close to Barak as reporting that Barak has stepped up his efforts to reach a deal with the Palestinians before the upcoming elections for prime minister, which are likely to be held in early next February if no bill of parliament dissolution was adopted in the near future.
Barak has ordered Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami and the head of his bureau, Gilad Sher, to check with leading Palestinian officials whether there is a possibility of renewing talks.
Barak's sudden announcement of his resignation as prime minister Saturday night has been seen by many as an attempt to keep former Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu out of the prime ministerial election race.
Barak's resignation will become effective Tuesday afternoon.
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