Bush administration rejects Clinton Mideast deal

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- The State Department acknowledged Thursday that parameters for a Mideast peace deal, presented to Israeli and Palestinian negotiators by President Clinton before he left office, would not be picked up by the Bush administration as a basis for further negotiations.

"I think the secretary has made quite clear over the past few days that the ideas and parameters that were discussed in the last few months were President Clinton's parameters," said State Department Spokesman Richard Boucher. "And therefore, when he left office, they were no longer a U.S. proposal or a presidential proposal."

Clinton delivered the ideas to the parties last December, insisting that the plan was the best way to achieve a comprehensive peace deal between the Israelis and Palestinians.

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Both sides refused to sign on to the plan, citing reservations with the parameters which could not be overcome before President Clinton left office.

However, the parties continued to discuss ways to reach an agreement. Last month at the Egyptian resort town of Taba, Israeli and Palestinian negotiators met without U.S. mediators.

"The parties have not agreed on any other basis for final status talks at this point," Boucher said. "So, we'll be talking to the parties, and we will consult with them. We'll have a better idea at that point how we can best assist them to achieve peace."

Ariel Sharon, who defeated incumbent Ehud Barak in elections for prime minister this week, has already said that concessions Barak offered to the Palestinians during Camp David were no longer valid.

Sharon's aides said Thursday that as prime minister he will take "a more gradual approach" to peace talks with Palestinians and will not resume negotiations where Barak left off.

This comes at a time when the new Bush administration has indicated it is less likely to be as hands-on with the Mideast peace process as was President Clinton.

President Bush had his first conversation with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat Thursday, during which Bush "reiterated [U.S.] support for a just and lasting peace both for the Israelis and the Palestinians," a White House spokeswoman said.

The president had called Sharon Tuesday night to congratulate him on his victory, and tell him the United States would looking forward to working with him, especially with regard to advancing peace and stability in the region.

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U.S. State Department
President George W. Bush
Israel Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Israeli Prime Minister's Office
Knesset, The Israeli Parliament
Likud
Avoda (Labour) Party
Israel Defense Forces
Palestinian National Authority

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