Bush reverses Clinton on Mideast aid

WASHINGTON Ñ The Bush administration has decided against increasing aid to its Middle East allies.

The move reverses a decision by the previous administration of President Bill Clinton.

U.S. officials said Egypt, Israel and Jordan will not obtain $750 million in special aid allocations pledged by Clinton. Clinton submitted the request in December, but it was not approved by Congress.

The Bush administration will not include the Clinton request in its budget to be submitted to Congress in April. U.S. officials said the aid was meant to have encouraged Middle East efforts, which have now been replaced by war between Israel and the Palestinians.

Israel was to have received $450 million in aid. The aid was to have helped pay Israeli costs to withdraw from Lebanon and boost anti-missile defense.

In Tel Aviv, Israeli defense officials expressed disappointment with the administration decision. They said Israeli diplomats had been urging the Bush administration to approve the special aid.

Joseph Bowab, acting director for the State Department's Office of Resources, Plans and Policy, said military aid to Israel would be increased by $60 million in fiscal 2002. At the same time, U.S. economic aid would be reduced by $120 million.