Clinton intervenes for third time in fourth day of Syrian-Israeli negotiations

US President Bill Clinton on Thursday evening held a meeting with US Secretary of State Madeleine Albright to evaluate the Syrian-Israeli talks.

Earlier in the day, the US president arrived in Shepherdstown, West Virginia, the setting for the current talks, for the third time since the beginning of the second round of Syrian- Israeli talks last Monday. The new intervention of President Clinton came at the request of Albright on the background of reasons which stood against the convening of the border demarcation committee.

Earlier, Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa and Albright held a meeting during which the two sides reviewed the work of the peace committees, especially the border demarcation committee, and the reasons behind not achieving a progress in the works of the committee.

The foreign minister asserted the need to deal with all substantial issues simultaneously after the timetable and formation of the specialized committees were agreed.

The spokesman for the US State Department, James Rubin said that Albright asked for the return of President Clinton to Shepherdstown on Thursday to help her and the two sides to push forward the Syrians and the Israelis in order to start rapidly and professionally "substantial work."

Rubin described the meeting held between al-Sharaa and Albright on Thursday that lasted for one and a half hour as constructive and said it constituted a chance to review all substantial issues.

Rubin reiterated his country's support for convening meetings for all specialized committee so far formed, stressing that he is still hopeful that the border and water committees will hold talks before the fall of Eid al-Fitr.