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DATE=10/03/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-Mideast Violence (L)

NUMBER=2-267380

BYLINE=Breck Ardery

DATELINE=United Nations

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The United Nations Security Council held several hours of closed-door talks Monday night on the violence between Palestinians and Israeli security forces. But, as VOA Correspondent Breck Ardery reports, the Council was unable to reach agreement on an official statement.

TEXT: The talks were held in response to a demand from the Palestinian U-N Observer Nasser al-Kidwa who accused Israel of "massacring numerous Palestinian civilians." Mr. al-Kidwa wants the Council to condemn what he calls "violent aggression" by the Israeli government against the Palestinian people.

But members of the Council were unable to agree on the text of a statement. The private talks will continue Tuesday with the possibility of a formal meeting.

Diplomats say there is disagreement on how strongly Israel should be criticized. The United States was also believed to be initially reluctant about a Council statement until after Wednesday. On Wednesday, U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is scheduled to meet in Paris with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in an effort to end the violence that has engulfed the West Bank and Gaza as well as Arab communities within Israel.

Before the Security Council began considering the matter, Mr. al-Kidwa told reporters the violence does not necessary mean the end of the peace process.

///al-Kidwa act///

We believe that serious consideration by the Council of this situation and a successful tackling of this situation by putting an end to the violence and the Israeli aggression will definitely help with the overall efforts to conclude a peace agreement between the two sides.

///end act///

The United States has offered to lead an inquiry into what caused the violence and how it can be prevented in the future. But such a move would come only after the current bloodshed is over.(Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/PLM