Mideast Security Pushed Task Of U.S. Envoy Is Tough With Both Israel, Plo Bitter

President Clinton’s Mideast envoy focused on Israel’s security demands Sunday, shuttling between Israeli and Palestinian leaders in a drive to salvage the peace process.

Dennis Ross’ task is delicate and difficult: Trust is at a low point after a five-month crisis, with Israelis bitter about bombings in their cities and Palestinians livid Israel is building settlements and imposing travel bans.

Ross said his orders from Clinton were to restore the “security underpinning” of the peace process and resume security cooperation between Israeli and Palestinian security forces.

The emphasis on security initially prompted protest from the Palestinians, who feared their issues would be ignored.

But Ross told Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat that restored security cooperation would be followed by a far-reaching political initiative by Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

“The political issues that divide the parties are going to have to be addressed and resolved,” Ross reassured Arafat.

Arafat rejected Israeli charges that his police force wasn’t helping search for those responsible for a double suicide bombing July 30 that killed 15 people in Jerusalem.

He also complained about the tough Israeli travel ban on Palestinians, which prevents them from going to jobs in Israel.

“We explained the suffering of the Palestinian people, and we made it clear that we are adhering to the peace process in all its aspects,” Arafat told reporters.

Arafat suggested the United States sit in on security coordination meetings to assess the degree of cooperation.

Palestinian Information Minister Yasser Abed Rabbo said before the meeting that if Ross came to talk about security issues only “it means we are not going to discuss anything at all.”

But after the meeting there was a much more upbeat spin.

“We want an effective security coordination with the Israelis.” said Palestinian envoy Nabil Amr.