DATE=4/01/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH MIDEAST (S)

NUMBER=2-288217

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDITORS NOTE: WATCH FOR LONG CR UPDATES AFTER REGULAR WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING AT NOON///

INTRO: The White House says President Bush is committed to the Middle East peace process and has full confidence in mideast envoy Anthony Zinni. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports there are increasing calls for a higher-level U-S negotiating presence in the region.

TEXT: White House Spokesman Ari Fleischer says General Zinni is the president's man on the ground, and there are no current plans to send a top administration official to the middle east.

During a brief session with reporters, Mr. Fleischer said the president was optimistic just last Wednesday that a cease fire agreement might be at hand. The White House spokesman said General Zinni was making great progress until a series of suicide bombings derailed the peace process.

Mr. Fleischer was asked if the president's strong stand against terrorism - and those who harbor terrorists -- applies to the Palestinian Authority. He said there have been signs in the past that Yasser Arafat and other Palestinian leaders were willing to work for peace. And he made clear keeping the peace process going is a priority for the Bush administration.

The White House spokesman stressed that there seems to be a pattern in the middle east. He said whenever it looks like an agreement is at hand, the violence escalates. (signed)

NEB/PW/FC