Clinton, Barak to meet within days in Washington

US President Bill Clinton and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak have agreed to meet within a few days in Washington.

Israel Radio said that Barak explained to the US president during the telephone conversation they held on Monday night that he intends to meet shortly with the Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak, King Abdullah Bin Hussein of Jordan and the chairman of the Palestinian Authority.

For his part, President Clinton stressed during this telephone call, according to the Israeli report, that his recent statements concerning the Palestinian refugees do not imply a change in the policy of the US.

The Israeli Government Press Office released a statement today that Barak has scheduled visits on July 9 with Mubarak in Alexandria and on July 11 with Arafat at the Erez Checkpoint. It also said Barak's meeting with Clinton will take place at the end of next week. The statement added that a meeting between Barak and Jordan's King Abdullah Bin Hussein "is expected soon."