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DATE=5/17/2000
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL / LEBANON (L)
NUMBER=2-262472
BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICE AT:
INTRO:  The Israeli cabinet has approved a 400-
million-dollar proposal by Prime Minister Ehud Barak 
to strengthen security and economic conditions for 
communities along Israel's northern border with 
Lebanon.  As V-O-A Correspondent Meredith Buel reports 
from Jerusalem, the action came as the Israeli 
military prepares to withdraw its soldiers from 
southern Lebanon.
TEXT:  At a special session chaired by Prime Minister 
Barak, the cabinet approved a package to help 170-
thousand residents of Israel who live along the 
northern border.
The plan is designed to strengthen the communities 
ahead of Israel's withdrawal from southern Lebanon by 
July of this year.
Mr. Barak says after the pullback, Israel will be 
justified in severely retaliating against Hezbollah 
(Party of God) guerrillas engaged in cross-border 
violence.  However, he acknowledged it will be 
virtually impossible to protect the northern 
communities from guerrilla rocket attacks.
            ///  BARAK ACT ONE  ///
      In regard to rockets, nothing will be changed.  
      Even now, the Hezbollah can cover the whole 
      north of Israel, much beyond the area which we 
      are calling the confrontation line, with 
      rockets.  I say that in a way our hands will be 
      less constrained.  When we are inside Israel  no  
      one can claim any legitimization, or 
      justification or even an excuse to hit Israeli 
      soldiers or targets.  We will know how to 
      respond.  I am fully confident that the Israeli 
      defense forces will know how to defend Israel 
      from within the Israeli borders.
            ///  END ACT  ///
The aid plan for northern communities provides for 
extra spending on infrastructure, industry, 
agriculture and education.
The army has already begun moving men and equipment 
out of south Lebanon, and Prime Minister Barak says 
nothing will stop a complete pullout by the July 
deadline.
            ///  BARAK ACT TWO  //
      It is clear that there are certain risks 
      involved in any action that changes the reality.  
      But it is clear to us that it is much better 
      than to deepen even more our intervention in 
      Lebanon that already has emerged as a kind of 
      tragedy for all who are involved in it.  
            ///  END ACT  ///
Israel maintains a 15-kilometer wide buffer zone in 
southern Lebanon in an effort to protect its northern 
communities from attacks by Iranian-backed Hezbollah 
guerrillas.
Hezbollah has been fighting a war of attrition against 
Israeli soldiers and militia fighters of the Israeli-
backed South Lebanon Army.
Mr. Barak was elected prime minister one year ago, and 
one of his major campaign promises was to pull all 
Israeli soldiers out of Lebanon.  (Signed)
NEB/MB/JWH/ENE/KL
17-May-2000 11:17 AM EDT (17-May-2000 1517 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
.