The White House envoy was identified as National Security Council member Dennis Ross. Ross arrived in Israel on Dec. 14 and met Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak and Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Gabi Ashkenazi.

Officials said Ross has sought to cover all of Israel's security concerns, including the Palestinian insurgency, Hizbullah, Iran and Syria. They said the talks would be followed by an intensive diplomatic effort to resolve all obstacles toward an agreement for a Palestinian state.

Ross, who was to have been accompanied by Gen. James Cartwright, vice chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, has requested meetings with a range of military commanders. But officials said Barak rejected this, insisting that he or his aides attend all of of Ross's meetings with the commanders.

Officials said Barak's veto of meetings between Ross and individual commanders reflected concern that they would violate government policy. Ashkenazi, who leaves office within a few weeks, was said to have differed with the defense minister.

The government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has submitted security conditions for a Palestinian state. They were said to have included Israeli retention of the Jordan Valley and the right to fly over the West Bank.

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