(9 Jan 2000) Hebrew/Nat

With President Clinton due to resume his mediation late on Sunday, the inconclusive round of peacemaking between Israel and Syria appears to be nearing a close.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is reportedly planning to leave the negotiations on Monday evening and Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa is likely to depart on Tuesday.

Barak described the land-for-peace negotiations as "difficult" and "very complex".

Speaking after touring a historic U-S Civil War battlefield, he also reiterated that he would not sign a deal with Syria unless it guaranteed the safety of the Jewish state.

If the aim of Sunday's sightseeing tour was to be symbolic, then that symbolism was kept well beneath the surface.

Antietam National Battlefield, in Sharpsburg, Maryland, was the scene of a ferocious Civil War battle on September 17, 1862.

More men were killed here than in any other single-day battle during the war - the combined casualty figure reached over 23-thousand.

But both Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and his host, U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, had the problems of their own era on their minds during the visit.

It's looking increasingly likely that the peace talks between Israel and Syria will end inconclusively on Monday evening.

Both sides could leave behind experts to continue deliberations over a projected Israeli pullback on the Golan Heights and a peace offer from Syria.

Whether they plan to do so is not yet clear but Barak's few comments on the matter were cautious.

SOUNDBITE (Hebrew)
"I won't answer any more questions. Now is not the time for that. But there is no doubt that the issues (we are negotiating) are complicated and we will not sign any agreement if does not strengthen Israel's security and Israel's interests."
SUPER CAPTION: Ehud Barak, Israeli Prime Minister

What is known is that, according the White House officials, President Clinton plans to return to Shepherdstown late on Sunday to continue the process.

It seems certain that what awaits him is another tough round of negotiations that may now mark the end of this stage of the peace process.

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