Berkley’s optimism for peace in Mideast fades after recent visit

Benjamin Grove

Wednesday, Sept. 5, 2001 | 10:46 a.m.

WASHINGTON -- Israeli officials said they will return to the negotiating table if peace in the region lasts for seven days, Rep. Shelley Berkley, D-Nev., said today, a day after a return from the Mideast nation.

Berkley and four other members of the House met with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, among other officials, for briefings on the prospects for peace in the region. She also met with a chief Palestinian peace talks negotiator.

Berkley said she came away far more discouraged about the prospects for Mideast peace than when she traveled there two years ago.

"I was optimistic before," Berkley said. "I am not so optimistic now."

Peres and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are continuing to attempt a Mideast truce talks, possibly next week in Egypt, sources told the Associated Press today. Political tension and ongoing violence have set back meeting plans. Israel launched missles against Palestinian security buildings outside OnGaza City today.

Berkley, a member of the International Relations Committee, traveled in Israel and Greece for 10 days with husband Larry Lehrner on her fifth trip to Israel, her second as a congresswoman. The American Israeli Educational Foundation, a pro-Israel group, paid for their trip.

Members of Congress are allowed to accept trips from private groups for fact-finding trips, speaking engagements and meetings. The trips must be recorded with congressional clerks.

Congress traditionally takes August off before a final dash to finish work for the year in October. Members returned this week.

Rep. Jim Gibbons, R-Nev., took a 10-day trip to Norway to look at wind and solar energy projects; Iceland to examine geothermal energy facilities; and Eastern Europe. The Associated Press contributed to this story.