WHERE THE CANDIDATES STAND ON : THE MIDEAST

Background: In the aftermath of the Gulf War, President Bush hoped to create a new order in the Middle East. Israel and its Arab neighbors launched formal peace talks in Madrid last October, with Washington intending to take a neutral role. But with the talks essentially stalled, U.S. presidential candidates again are faced with choosing between the implacable foes.

President Bush supports the current peace talks. He strongly opposes Israel’s construction of Jewish settlements in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip, calling them “obstacles to peace.” He opposed an Israeli request for $10 billion in loan guarantees to help house Jewish immigrants from the former Soviet Union as long as the West Bank construction continued.

Patrick J. Buchanan says the United States has a moral commitment to guarantee the security and survival of the state of Israel, but does not approve of the $10-billion loan guarantees. He supports the creation of a “homeland” for the Palestinians. Buchanan opposed Operation Desert Storm.

Bill Clinton supports loan guarantees to Israel and does not support the creation of a separate state for Palestinians. Clinton supported the Gulf War.

Edmund G. (Jerry) Brown Jr. also supports the loan guarantees but condemns the settlements of the occupied territories. Brown opposed Operation Desert Storm and does not support the creation of a separate state for Palestinians. He supports the peace talks.