JAMES D. BESSER Washington Correspondent Thrifty Flowers We're all the florist you'll ever need. CARNATIONS 14 .99/DOZEN LONG STEM RED ROSES $9.99/DOZEN MUM PLANTS $9.95 while supplies last Centerpieces, Cut Flowers, Special Arrangements, Balloons, Greeting Cards, Flowering Plants and Cemetery Decorations 4 Convenient Locations: Farm''' . on Huntington/ Livonia 22840 Orchard -lake Rd. 29410 Five Mile Royal Oak Corner of Grand River Corner of 5 Mile & Shiawassee Detroit 23841 Grand River Corner Grand River & Telegraph 537-7776 474-3220 8711 W 11 Mile & Middlebelt Corner 11 Mile & Woodward 421-9250 544-0850 Hours: Monday Thru Saturday, 8 am-9pm; Sunday 10-5 We accept all major credit cards. Phone orders welcome. irror 15 Custom Railings ■ Etched And Carved Glass Designs ■ ■ ■ Shower Enclosures Glass Furniture 100% Satisfaction Guaranteed ■ ■ Come Visit Our Beautiful Showroom No Deposit Required FREE In-home Design Service 20% OFF 20% OFF ALL MIRROR WORK Any Tub & Shower Enclosure with this ad • Thrii 1991 3011 Haggerty Rd. 38 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 1991 And New Mirrored Sifolds with this ad • Milt 1991 (1/4 Mile North of Pontiac Trail) 669.8088 Will Peace Talks In U.S. linon Against Israel? W ashington is still a popular tourist des- tination — but ap- parently not popular enough with officials of Middle Eastern governments, who are responding grudgingly to the administration's in- vitation to attend peace talks here on Dec. 4. But at least one party to the peace process appears content. Administration officials, convinced that it will take a strong American hand to keep the talks on track, believe that holding the meetings here will give them maximum leverage. The belligerent rhetoric in Madrid from both sides only increased the feeling among U.S. policymakers that con- tinued pressure from Wash- ington will be essential to the peace process. But many of Israel's friends in the U.S. do not share that view. "It's a discouraging devel- opment," said Albert Moses, president of the American Jewish Committee. "It means that the Arab coun- tries and the Palestinians will be bargaining with the United States and not with Israel." Pro-Israel activists are also concerned that peace talks in Washington will turn into a media circus, and that the increasingly savvy Palestinian delegation will be the biggest beneficiaries. And there are continuing fears that holding the talks in Washington will lead to new American concessions to Arab countries, including removing Syria from the of- ficial list of nations suppor- ting terrorism. Last week, Edward Djere- jian, the new deputy secre- tary of state for Near East- ern and South Asian affairs, refused to entirely preclude that possibility during a ses- sion with House members, although he said a change in Syria's status is not current- ly in the works. But the bottom line is that with the various parties to the talks failing to agree on a venue, the administration was handed a perfect oppor- tunity to force it's own site preference — and to con- tinue its preeminent role in the unfolding drama. Congress Reaffirms Israel's Security Does anybody really care about congressional procla- mations on foreign affairs issues? Maybe not the folks back home — but foreign govern- ments do take notice, say some legislators. Recently, Rep. Wayne Owens, D-Utah, sponsored a successful resolution com- mending U.S. participation in the Middle East peace talks, and putting Congress on record as supporting America's longstanding commitment to Israel's security. The measure was co- sponsored by Majority Leader Dick Gephardt, D-Mo., Rep. Mel Levine, D- Calif., and Rep. Ben Gilman, R-N.Y. "You can't legislate the peace process," said a con- gressional source who work- ed on the legislation. "But it's clear that foreign governments do look at these resolutions. It's impor- tant to reiterate what U.S. policy is, especially because people are very cautious about the peace process." More importantly, any peace treaty resulting from the current round of talks would likely involve U.S. promises and guarantees, probably regarding addi- tional aid, development loans and military assis- tance. Since these would require congressional approval, backers of the bill argue that "It's important to reiterate what U.S. policy is, especially because people are very cautious about the peace process." involving Congress in the peace process is not a superfluous exercise. The Senate has already passed its version of the measure supporting the peace process. It was spon- sored by Majority Leader George Mitchell, D-Me., and Minority Leader Robert Dole, R-Kans.