DATE=3/25/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH/MIDEAST (S)

NUMBER=2-287959

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon should give "serious consideration" to letting Yasser Arafat attend this week's Arab summit in Beirut. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson has more from the White House.

TEXT: In public and through diplomatic channels, the Bush administration is sending a message to the Sharon government.

The White House is not directly urging Israel to permit the Palestinian leader to travel to Lebanon. But it is warning that his absence at the summit could distract the meeting and divert attention from the search for peace.

During a brief session with reporters White House spokesman Ari Fleischer said the president believes it is time for Arab nations to in his words "seize the moment." Mr. Fleischer noted the Beirut meeting is expected to take up a Saudi peace initiative. And he stressed discussion of the plan is vitally important.

The White House spokesman was then asked about prospects for a meeting between Yasser Arafat and Vice-President Dick Cheney. He said Mr. Arafat still has not met the conditions for talks, and he emphasized that a decision by Israel to approve travel to Beirut would not indicate a Cheney-Arafat meeting is imminent. (Signed)

NEB/PW/SAB