U.S. ponders next move in Mideast; Burns stays in region

By Elise Labott
CNN State Department Producer

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Senior members of the Bush administration huddled Monday at the White House, planning their next step in the U.S.-Mideast diplomatic effort, State Department officials told CNN.

While the administration considers its next move, William Burns, the assistant secretary of state for the region who was recently named the administration's point man on the Mideast conflict, has been instructed to remain in Jordan pending further meetings with Israeli and Palestinians leaders.

"We told him to sit tight and be prepared to engage," one official said.

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Burns met twice last week with both Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in an effort to convince them to implement the recommendations of the Mitchell report, which called for a cease-fire and a resumption of confidence-building measures. The talks failed to produce any substantial breakthroughs.

Burns then traveled to Egypt and Jordan to brief officials on the meetings and was supposed to come back to the United States this past weekend, but he was kept in the region after the suicide bombing Friday night at a dance club in Tel Aviv.

The administration is waiting to see whether the cease-fire called upon by Arafat over the weekend holds before sending Burns back, the official said.

Officials said they are cautiously optimistic about Arafat's calls for a cease-fire.

"We saw a clear, unambiguous statement," another official said. "There were clear, unambiguous instructions given to the Palestinian elements. That is good; it is excellent. But what we need now is actions to follow the instructions."

U.S. Ambassador to Israel Martin Indyk and Consul General Ronald Schlicher have been "in close contact" directly with the leaders, this official said.

There is a "strong possibility" CIA Director George Tenet will travel to the region to shepherd security talks between the sides, he added.

Secretary of State Colin Powell called both Arafat and Sharon on Monday, said senior State Department officials in Washington.

One official said the reason for the calls was to "secure assurances" that senior security officials from both sides would attend a Tenet-led meeting, and that Israel would allow movement of Palestinian officials into Israel for such talks.

The official said both sides "indicated a willingness" for a Tenet visit.