Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Clinton will push peace deal in Syria

Peter Pringle
Friday 21 October 1994 18:02 EDT
Comments

Your support helps us to tell the story

From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.

At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.

The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.

Your support makes all the difference.

PRESIDENT Bill Clinton, raising the stakes of his Middle East trip next week, announced yesterday that he would stop in Damascus to see President Hafez al-Assad in an effort to speed up the slow-moving negotiations for a peace treaty between Israel and Syria. 'I want there to be more progress and I think the visit will further it,' Mr Clinton said at the White House.

The visit to Syria - still on the State Department's list of nations that support international terrorism - is a big political gamble. His Secretary of State, Warren Christopher, has made five trips to the Middle East since May without producing an agreement.

Mr Clinton said he had decided to go ahead with his Middle East trip, the most extensive by a US president in two decades, despite heightened security concerns after the bus bombing in Tel Aviv that killed 22 people. He will also stop in Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia. Mr Clinton said it was necessary 'to stand shoulder to shoulder' with America's friends in the Middle East at this key time in the peace process.

WASHINGTON - A bag containing documents related to Mr Christopher's travel plans fell off a transfer vehicle at New York's Kennedy Airport and the papers were found blowing across the runway, the State Department said. A spokeswoman insisted the bag 'contained no classified material', although she acknowledged the department generally does not publicise Mr Christopher's travel arrangements for security reasons.

Lebanon raid, page 11

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in