Clinton seeks $800 million in emergency military aid for israel

WASHINGTON — The Clinton administration has asked Congress for $800 million in a special allocation to bolster Israel's defense.

The administration request was submitted to Congress on Friday as the House and Senate are arguing over the last provisions of the budget for fiscal 2001. The White House request matched that of Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Barak, who is trying to upgrade strategic ties with Washington during the last days of the administration.

Pro-Israeli lobbyists said they are confident that Congress will pass the administration request.

Barak has urged President Bill Clinton to approve such a move. On Monday, Israeli Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami flies to Washington to discuss Israeli proposals to upgrade strategic relations with the United States. The foreign minister will explore the prospect that Clinton will launch a new peace offensive after the presidential elections.

"We need to close all issues still pending with the current administration," Ben-Ami said.

On Monday, Israeli and U.S. officials gather in Eilat to conduct their semi-annual strategic conference. The two sides will discuss threat assessments in the Middle East.

At this point, U.S. officials said, Clinton does not want to upgrade strategic relations with Israel until a peace accord is reached with the Palestinians. Clinton has invited Barak and Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat to Washington to discuss a resumption of negotiations. Arafat has already signalled that he will attend such a meeting but will not allow Barak to participate.

Barak is scheduled to arrive in the United States after the Nov. 7 presidential elections. But Israeli sources said Clinton wants Barak in Washington on the eve of elections to bolster the prospect of victory for the president's wife Hillary and Vice President Al Gore.