DATE=10/5/00
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
TITLE=ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS UPDATE (long)
BY-LINE=ROSS DUNN
DATELINE=JERUSALEM
CONTENT =
VOICE AT:
INTRO: Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Barak, has appealed to the
international community to help end the violence that has killed nearly 70
people. Mr. Barak has written to 100 world leaders, calling on them to put pressure on Palestinian leader, Yasser Arafat to stop his people from clashing with Israeli security forces. In Jerusalem, Ross Dunn has more on the story.
TEXT: Mr Barak says the international community must put pressure on Mr Arafat to immediately end the clashes between Palestinians and Israeli security forces.
The Israeli Prime Minister's sharply worded letter calls on world leaders
to convince Mr. Arafat to use diplomatic means and not violence to achieve
his political goals.
Mr Barak issued the appeal following Mr. Arafat's refusal to sign a formal
agreement to halt the bloodshed, during U-S sponsored negotiations in Paris.
Mr. Arafat declined to initial a written cease-fire accord, in protest at
Israel's refusal to back an international inquiry into the violence.
The Palestinian leader insists that an international committee be formed to
investigate what he called "the massacres and aggressions" against the
Palestinian people.
Mr. Arafat's Fatah faction of the Palestine Liberation Organisation issued a statement calling for the fighting to continue, until Israel withdraws from Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
In his letter, Mr. Barak blames the Palestinian Authority and Mr. Arafat for the ongoing clashes, by inciting hatred of Israelis through the Palestinian-run media.
The Prime Minister says Israel, on the other hand, is showing restraint and
is determined to bring about peace in the region.
At the same time, Mr. Barak warns he is prepared to take whatever steps are
necessary to protect his citizens and soldiers.
NEB/RD/FC
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