DATE=2/1/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / LEBANON (L)
NUMBER=2-258686
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:
INTRO: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak is calling
on Syria to help reduce the violence in southern
Lebanon. But he says a recent escalation in the
fighting should not be linked directly to peace
negotiations with the Damascus government. V-O-A
Correspondent Meredith Buel in Jerusalem reports Mr.
Barak toured the border between Israel and Lebanon,
one day after Hezbollah guerrillas killed three
Israeli soldiers.
TEXT: Prime Minister Barak says Syria can do more to
restrain Iranian-backed Hezbollah guerrillas in south
Lebanon.
Mr. Barak says, however, he does not believe that a
recent escalation in the fighting should be directly
linked to peace negotiations with Syria.
The peace talks between Israel and Syria are currently
suspended.
Prime Minister Barak says he is convinced the Syrians
understand that both countries have an interest in
controlling Hezbollah.
/// BARAK ACT - IN HEBREW / TRANSLATOR ///
I am convinced the Syrians understand there is a
joint interest in finding a way to control these
activities. They understand the dangers
involved in deterioration. We understand. We
are not afraid of peace and we are also not
afraid of any development.
/// END ACT ///
The Prime Minister toured the Israeli border with
Lebanon, one day after three Israeli soldiers were
killed in an attack by Hezbollah guerrillas.
Hezbollah also has claimed responsibility for Sunday's
assassination of a senior commander of the South
Lebanon Army (S-L-A) - a militia trained and armed by
Israel.
Colonel Akl Hashem was killed by a bomb placed outside
his house in the Israeli-occupied zone in southern
Lebanon.
Speaking at an Israeli army base near the border, Mr.
Barak indicated he does not want the violence to
escalate. But he vowed to avenge the deaths of the
Israeli soldiers and the militia commander.
/// BARAK ACT - IN HEBREW / TRANSLATOR ///
The Lebanon front is a war front, and we will
stand, we will choose the place, the way, the
character of the reaction, in a way it will
serve Israel's comprehensive goals. Those who
strike us will not come out clean. We will
win in this struggle. We will also bring this
whole area to security, peace, and redeployment
to the international border.
/// END ACT ///
Hezbollah has been fighting a war of attrition since
the mid-1980s against Israel and the S-L-A militia.
Hezbollah is trained and funded by Iran, but Israel
says Syria serves as a conduit for weapons shipments
to the group and permits the guerrillas to move freely
within Lebanon.
Prime Minister Barak stopped short of blaming the
recent attacks on Syria, which maintains 30-thousand
soldiers in Lebanon and is considered the major power
broker in the country. (Signed)
NEB/MB/JWH/JP
01-Feb-2000 11:42 AM EDT (01-Feb-2000 1642 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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