WASHINGTON : Maiden Trip
U.S. Secretary of State Warren Christopher will depart Wednesday evening for the Middle East on a 10-day trip aimed at relaunching the stalled Arab-Israeli peace talks begun by his predecessor, James A. Baker III, more than 15 months ago.
Officials say Christopher’s choice of the Middle East for his first trip abroad as the Clinton Administration’s top diplomat reflects the importance they attach to keeping a lid on conflicts that have produced five of the region’s major wars since 1948.
Christopher’s immediate problem lies in persuading Syria and the Palestinians to return to the table even though nearly 400 alleged Muslim militants expelled by Israel have rejected a repatriation deal offered by Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin. Christopher aides say he intends to visit Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Israel and possibly Lebanon.
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