Arafat confers with US-ME peace process coordinator

The US-ME peace process coordinator Dennis Ross on Monday in Ramullah met with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and discussed with him results of his recent contacts with the Israeli-Palestinian negotiation teams, and results of his talks with the Israeli prime minister Ehud Barak.

Israeli sources said that Barak will also discuss with Arafat the possibility of convening a tripartite meeting shortly in Washington with the participation of the US President Bill Clinton, besides Barak and Arafat.

For its part, Palestinian sources said that Arafat is inclined not to take part in this summit as far as the gaps between the sides's stances are not eliminated. The Israeli radio reported.