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Clinton deserves praise for job well done By HILLEL KUTTLER WASHINGTON - (October 26) The cynics will be satisfied, proclaiming "I told you so." The cynics will be wrong. As President Bill Clinton headed into the Wye Plantation negotiations 10 days ago, he stood to gain much if Israel and the Palestinians emerged with an overdue redeployment-for-security accord. His domestic critics, however, saw a shamed, admitted adulterer desperately looking to project a presidential aura as Congress was gearing up for hearings that could lead to his impeachment. The week's by-product, the Wye Memorandum, should lay to rest the notion that Clinton manipulated the summit for personal gain. Clinton certainly comes out looking good, but for once official Washington ought to take what occurred at face value and forfeit the temptation to view everything through a political prism. The president's yeoman service at Wye is what it is: the act of a statesman. A differentiation must be made between creating an opportunity - or even exploiting one presented - for personal gain and coincidence. The yardstick ought to be whether Clinton would have handled the Wye talks any differently were he not fighting for his political life. By that standard, Clinton passes with flying colors. His credentials over five years in office in working to resolve the Arab-Israeli conflict were sufficiently meritorious to have justified his utilizing the power of his office to host a critical summit when he did. Headlines Redeployment could alter US role IDF wraps up Wye's first stage today First Wye pullout to end by tomorrow Settlers scurry to limit pullout threat IDF poised to implement first Wye transfer Wye redeployment begins today PM confident he can sell Wye Netanyahu flies to capital to avoid protesters Right outraged at Wye signing, Left skeptical PA officials pleased, extremists reject accord Settler leaders weigh next steps US Jewish leaders hail accord Commentary What's in the accord? The Document Text of The Wye Memorandum Speeches Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's speech PA Chairman Yasser Arafat's speech Analysis A patchy deal can easily unravel Strained relations Clinton deserves praise for job well done Wye deal to launch final talks Netanyahu turns centrist, but still faces Right Now for the tough part REPORTER'S NOTEBOOK: Reflections on Wye Opinion EDITORIAL: A tardy first step The next stage The Pollard Issue Sources: There was a tacit deal to release Pollard A Pollard chronology Pollard's father disappointed that Israel 'caved in' over release Supplement Front Page

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