Bush to Meet Mideast Leaders, Explore Peace

President Bush will explore Middle East peace prospects in White House talks with the leaders of Egypt, Israel and Jordan over the next six weeks, the White House said today.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak will meet Bush on April 3, Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir will meet the President on April 6 and King Hussein of Jordan is scheduled to visit here on May 2.

White House spokesman Marlin Fitzwater said Bush will seek the views of the leaders on the best way to advance the peace process and made clear that Bush will not unveil a new American initiative at that time.

“We are confident that all three forthcoming visits will materially contribute to diplomatic progress toward peace in the Middle East,” Fitzwater said.

“The President is committed to moving the peace process forward and anticipates a useful exchange of views with key regional leaders. . . . He’s not presenting a new initiative.”

Fitzwater noted that Bush held discussions with Mubarak and Hussein in Tokyo last month when the three were there for the funeral of Emperor Hirohito. Israeli President Chaim Herzog also had talks with Bush at that time.

Tension-Easing Steps

U.S. officials have been urging Israel, its Arab neighbors and the Palestine Liberation Organization to engage in a variety of small tension-easing steps in a bid to improve the climate for peace talks.

Among the steps urged by Washington in private talks would be the release of Palestinian political prisoners held by Israel, and a reduction in PLO attacks on Israeli military positions.

Fitzwater said Bush is likely to urge similar gestures in his talks, but his major purpose is to hear the views of the Middle East leaders.

“I would expect the President to discuss with these leaders the feelings in their countries about what progress can be made and what course should be taken. That (the discussions) undoubtedly will include an international conference, the role of the Palestinians,” Fitzwater said.

He added the longstanding American view that an international peace conference will be useful only as a prelude to direct talks between the parties.

The spokesman declined to say whether Bush will urge Shamir to reconsider his refusal to hold talks with the PLO.