Ross admits failure of his Israeli-Palestinian mission

The US Middle East peace process coordinator, Dennis Ross, on Monday admitted that his mission has failed to break the stalemate in the Palestinian- Israeli talks.

Ross told journalists following the conclusion of his meeting with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat that he was to return to Washington later in the day on Monday in order to make consultations with US President Bill Clinton on reaching a solution that can eliminate difficulties and disputes.

Meanwhile, the official in charge of culture and the media in the Palestinian Authority, Yasser Abed Rabbo, announced that the meeting between Ross and Arafat failed to achieving any results and that Ross will return back to Washington to submit a report about his mission.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said the current crisis is till standing because the Palestinians have not received answers to questions they had raised.

Today however, US President Bill Clinton said that some headway was made and there remains some stumbling blocks and it would be a mistake to exaggerate the problems. He said Ross was returning to the US to brief him on the results. Clinton also said that regarding the Israel - Syria talks, there is less difference on substance than what is projected to the public.