ABSTRACT
InJanuaryandFebruary2000,anAmericanpresidentwasonceagain workingtobringaboutagreementsbetweenanArableaderandan Israeliprimeminister-first,mediatingbetweenForeignMinister Faroukas-SharaaofSyriaandIsraeliPrimeMinisterEhudBarakin WestVirginia,andthenhostingPalestinianAuthorityChairmanYasser ArafatinWashington.Intheformercase,PresidentBillClintonwas attemptingtofacilitateapeaceagreementbetweenIsraelandSyria;in thelattercase,hewashopingtoinstillconfidenceinArafatsothat negotiationsbetweenIsraelisandPalestinianswouldcontinue.Earlierin January,therewasastruggleattheUnitedNationsoverthenamingofa newweaponsinspectorforIraq.Thiswasyetanotherchapterinthe UnitedStates-Iraqconfrontation,whichhasplayedoutoverthepastnine years,andtheAmericangoalofensuringthesecurityofthevitalPersian Gulf.
