Mubarak presses Bush for Palestinian state

The diplomatic search for Middle East peace is about to accelerate again, with the idea of declaring a Palestinian state as a way to force negotiations at the heart of discussions.

Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak meets with President Bush Friday and Saturday to press the United States to move beyond visions and consultations to decisions and timetables. His visit, followed by a scheduled return to the White House Monday of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, puts the Mideast back in Washington's international spotlight, even as some observers worried that a certain momentum for pursuing peace was being lost.

The latest suicide bombing, which yesterday left at least 17 people dead when a bomber struck a crowded bus in northern Israel, is sure to trouble the conversations. But many Mideast experts say that even without the violence that has accompanied US contacts with the region's leaders in recent months, the US is not prepared to take dramatic steps.

"There is not in the administration any agreement on next steps, let alone any agreement amongst the Israelis and Arabs on where to go next," says Bernard Reich, a Middle East expert at George Washington University. "With so many balls in the air and so little trust among the parties, no one anticipates any dramatic moves any time soon."

Still, the US is aware that Mr. Bush must lay out more details for the American vision for the region, US officials say – perhaps in a speech preceding an international Mideast conference that could take place in July. And tomorrow, Mr. Mubarak is expected to advocate bold steps when he meets with Bush.

Taking a cue from an American president who has endorsed the goal of a Palestinian state and who even speaks of "Palestine," Mubarak will emphasize that it is in America's interest to "set a framework" for declaring a Palestinian state as early as next year, Egyptian officials say. The Mubarak visit includes an overnight and two days of conversation at Camp David – the Egyptian leader's first visit to the presidential retreat, heavy with symbolism for the Middle East.

Mr. Sharon favors a slower, step-by-step approach that emphasizes security first. In his sixth meeting with Bush, he is expected to promote his view that most important now is an extended period prior to political talks, during which security measures would be enhanced and reform of Palestinian security and government institutions pursued.

Egyptian officials, starting from the position that Israelis and Palestinians won't advance toward peace unless pushed along, say that the US must press both sides to compromise.

"The two-state solution is the basis for everything, but it's now time to move beyond all the visions to put a deadline. You have to put a timetable on everything," says Nabil Osman, head of Egypt's State Information Service.

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