Clinton discusses Mideast violence with Israeli prime minister

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- U.S. President Clinton spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak Saturday evening about what is viewed as the worst violence in the region in four years, the White House said Sunday.

The leaders spoke for about 20 minutes, said P.J. Crowley, National Security Council spokesman.

U.S. officials have also been in touch with Palestinian Authority President Yasser Arafat and the leadership of the Israeli and Palestinian security forces.

"We are working very intensively with them, encouraging them to exercise maximum restraint, to do everything they can to put an end to the violence," said Crowley.

"We are very concerned about the violence," he added.

Secretary of State Madeleine Albright talked with Arafat and Israeli Acting Foreign Minister Shlomo Ben-Ami on Friday, a State Department spokesman said.

The secretary spoke again with Ben-Ami on Saturday, said the spokesman. Albright is in Paris for the U.S.-European Union summit.

Crowley said the United States is doing all it can, including "broad contacts" with both sides.

"There is violence occurring on both sides. They both have to do everything they can to put an end" to the violence, said Crowley.

The president has not talked with other Mideast leaders since Thursday, when the clashes began, the White House said.

A U.S. official described the violence as "very dangerous," with consequences for the peace process.

"Anytime you are caught in a violent episode, it is very troubling and very dangerous," said the official, who did not want to be identified. "It takes away your ability to make progress in other areas."

The official said the administration is focused not on the peace talks but on the crisis.

"We are focused squarely on the violence ... first priority is to see it end as quickly as possible," he added.

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