Barak seeks U.S. OK for annexation

JERUSALEM — Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is awaiting a green light from the United States for annexation of parts of the West Bank.

The Israeli plan is meant to counter any unilateral Palestinian declaration of a state. Israeli officials are expecting Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat to launch such a move by Nov. 15.

Barak's plan envisions annexation of parts of the West Bank and Gaza Strip and separation between Israel and the territories already under PA control. The prime minister presented his plan to the Cabinet on Friday but stressed that he is coordinating with the Clinton adminstration.

Under the plan, Israel would annex many Jewish settlements in the West Bank as well as create blocs of settlements near the old 1967 border. Physical barriers would be erected to prevent Palestinians from infiltrating the Jewish state.

Barak has been pressed by what officials said is a proposal by Arafat to convene a peace summit after the November presidential elections. The prime minister is said to believe that such a summit would place Israel under heavy U.S. pressure.

Aides to the prime minister said Arafat has accepted a proposal by his chief aides, including PLO Executive Committee secretary Mahmoud Abbas to continue the Palestinian uprising until a state is declared next month.

The plan has been opposed by several Cabinet ministers, including Justice Minister Yossi Beilin, an architect of the 1993 Oslo accord between Israel and the PLO. Beilin and several of his colleagues also oppose efforts to bring the opposition Likud Party in a Barak-led coalition.