Barak cites disagreements with US

      Defense Minister Ehud Barak said in Washington Wednesday night that he had asked the White House to "water down its remarks, briefings and leaks, so that we can talk about fundamental issues." Speaking to Israeli reporters, the defense minister admitted that "there were differences of opinion between Israel and the US administration," after the two sides failed to reach an agreement regarding West Bank settlements. Barak reiterated that Israel "welcomes [US President Barack] Obama's initiative for regional peace," but said that as for now, "not everything has been agreed upon." "The US administration is looking for the correct way to garner Israeli support for revitalizing the peace process," continued Barak, stressing that he was "more optimistic" following his talks on Tuesday with Obama and US National Security Adviser James Jones. (00,13)