JEANNE MESERVE, CNN ANCHOR: New developments in President Clinton's efforts to negotiate a peace in the Middle East in the closing days of his presidency. Let's go live to Kelly Wallace at the White House -- Kelly.</s>KELLY WALLACE, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Well, Jeanne, there is some optimism here. President Clinton spoke this morning with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat before he left Washington. He also telephoned Israeli leader Ehud Barak. The White House now saying that both leaders have conditionally accepted Mr. Clinton's proposed framework for further negotiations with reservations. The White House believing this is a step forward. Now, as for next steps, U.S. officials saying it would be up to Mr. Clinton, after talks with both leaders, to determine if it is time to bring both sides together for another round of talks, but it is looking increasingly likely that there will be more talks before Mr. Clinton leaves office in just 17 days. Jeanne, back to you.</s>MESERVE: Kelly Wallace, at the White House, thank you.
Crisis in the Middle East: U.S. Peace Framework Accepted by Arafat with Reservations