BARAK TELLS ALBRIGHT HE'LL STICK TO ACCORDS.(MAIN)

Byline: KEN FIREMAN Newsday

WASHINGTON -- Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak told Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright Friday that his new government would abide by the Wye River accords, which obligate his country to withdraw from another 13 percent of the occupied West Bank.

Barak's pledge, which he affirmed during a joint news conference following a meeting with Albright at her Georgetown home, pleased U.S. officials who have reacted coolly to Barak's proposal to defer the pullback.

But an Israeli embassy official said later that Barak still may raise the issue with Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat when they next meet. U.S. officials have said they would not object if Arafat accepts Barak's proposal, which would delay the withdrawal until Israelis and Palestinians reach a final, comprehensive agreement on all unresolved issues.

Barak's landslide electoral victory in May over hard-liner Benjamin Netanyahu triggered powerful hopes that the long-stalled Middle East peace process would revive and be carried through to a successful conclusion. On the first two days of a six-day American visit, Barak has made it clear to U.S. officials that he hopes to reach peace deals not only with the Palestinians but with Syria and Lebanon as well.

Albright said Friday that she will travel to the region next month. One stop will be Syria, where Israeli officials hope she can prepare the ground for a resumption of talks between Israel and Syria.