Indyk Investigation Won't Interfere With Proposed Middle East Talks
BRIAN NELSON, CNN ANCHOR (voice-over): State Department officials say that the U.S. ambassador to Israel is cooperating fully in an investigation into possible security violations. Martin Indyk's security clearance was suspended two days ago. Officials say there is no indication of espionage or the compromise of any intelligence, but the ambassador will not be allowed to handle classified documents for the time being. In a statement, Indyk said, "Jeopardizing the national security interests of the U.S. is absolutely abhorrent to me, and I would never do anything to compromised those interests." CNN Jerusalem bureau chief Mike Hanna explains how the suspension could affect the situation in the Middle East.</s>MIKE HANNA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): No comment from the U.S. embassy about the action against the ambassador. However, the understanding here is that Martin Indyk will not return to Israel until the investigation into his alleged security breaches is completed. Indyk was serving his second term as U.S. ambassador to Israel. His initial appointment in the mid-'90s was criticized by the Palestinians because of what was regarding as his close relationship with the Israeli government. However, in the years since Ambassador Indyk has secured the respect of all parties, playing a major role in defining U.S. policy in the region. The Israeli government has declined to comment on the action against Indyk, regarding it as an internal, U.S. matter. Attention remains focused on the peace process, with both Israelis and Palestinians waiting for a position paper to be presented by the</s>U.S. NABIL SHA'ATH, PALESTINIAN CABINET MINISTER: We would like very much to be consulted on this paper before it's officially presented. And we'd like to see also the Israeli side and friends of this peace process in the Arab countries and Europe also consulted.</s>HANNA: Israeli media reports that attempts are being made to bring the leaders together in summit meeting. Ehud Barak and Yasser Arafat have not met since the Camp David talks.</s>YOSSI BEILIN, ISRAELI CABINET MINISTER: A meeting between leaders is a must, and I hope that this meeting will not become big news but just the usual things of two neighbors who have to take bold decisions and who have to sit together and work on it and decide eventually whether they are ready to touch fire.</s>HANNA: But there's been no support on the Palestinian side for such a meeting. A senior aide to Mr. Arafat describing the reports says yet another attempt by Israel to place unwarranted pressure on the Palestinian position. (on camera): The action against the U.S. ambassador is unlikely to have any impact on negotiations. The U.S. will continue seeking solutions, but it's made clear that ultimately it's up to Israelis and Palestinians to take the tough decisions necessary to break the deadlock. Mike Hanna, CNN, Jerusalem.