White House Sacks Rams' Visit

ST. LOUIS (AP) â€” President Clinton is too busy trying to broker peace in the Middle East to talk football with the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams. <br><br>The Rams had been scheduled for a visit

Tuesday, July 18th 2000, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

ST. LOUIS (AP) â€” President Clinton is too busy trying to broker peace in the Middle East to talk football with the Super Bowl champion St. Louis Rams.

The Rams had been scheduled for a visit with Clinton on Tuesday, but the White House withdrew its invitation so the administration can concentrate on the peace talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat have been meeting at Camp David in Maryland for a week, as they try to advance the peace process with Clinton's help.

The Rams had rejected earlier dates. The team had been trying to get former coach Dick Vermeil to the ceremony from a speaking engagement in Canada.

The team was supposed to tour the White House, then meet with Clinton.

``We hope to reschedule their visit as soon as possible,'' assistant White House press secretary Jason Schechter said.

That might be difficult. The president plans to leave Wednesday for Japan for a meeting of major industrial nations.

The Rams report to training camp in Macomb, Ill., Thursday. Their only break in the next five months comes during the bye week in their schedule after they play San Diego on Oct. 1.