Bush calls Arafat but maintains low profile on Mideast

WASHINGTON — Less than a month in office, President George Bush faces a spiraling cycle of violence in the Middle East. But the president plans to adopt a low profile on the conflict at least until Secretary of State Colin Powell completes his first tour of the region.

On Wednesday, Powell called PA Chairman Yasser Arafat and urged him to end the violence. Arafat was said to have condemned the killing of Israelis during the conversation.

U.S. officials said Bush wants to urge calm and restraint and not blame the Palestinians for the violence — as he is being urged to do by Israel.

They said U.S. blame would only end U.S. diplomatic channels to the Palestinian Authority and inflame passions in the Middle East. "I strongly condemn the terrible act of violence in the Middle East this morning," Bush said, "I'm urging all parties to do their utmost to end the violence."

Bush also called Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and expressed his condolences over the killing.

At the same time, diplomatic sources said the administration did not plan to raise its profile in the Middle East until after the visit of Secretary of State Colin Powell to the region on Feb. 23. They said Powell would hear both Arab and Israeli leaders and then issue recommendations to the president.

The Bush statement came as envoys of Israeli Prime Minister-elect Ariel Sharon met senior U.S. officials, including Vice President Richard Cheney. The envoys said the administration was sympathetic to the Israeli argument that Sharon will not negotiate under Palestinian fire.

At the same time, the State Department stressed the need for restraint without taking sides. "Our assessment is the events of the last 48 hours represent a serious deterioration of the security situation on the ground at a time that we all recognize is very, very sensitive," spokesman Richard Boucher said.