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DATE=10/10/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (L UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-267710

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

/// EDS: THIS REPORT UPDATES 2-267702, BY JENNY BADNER ///

INTRO: United Nations Secretary General Kofi Annan has welcomed Israel's decision to postpone a deadline for stronger military action against Palestinian protesters, saying it is time to stop the violence and resume peace negotiations. As V-O-A Correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem, more than 90 people, mostly Palestinians, have died in nearly two weeks of clashes.

TEXT: U-N Secretary General Kofi Annan said after meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian President Yasser Arafat that the Middle East is at a crossroads and it is time to make a turn toward peace.

/// ANNAN ACT ///

We are at a crossroads, but we do have a chance, we do have a window, however small it is, to be able to bring the situation under control. I think what we need to focus on is to stop the violence and bring the discussions back to the bargaining table.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Annan's remarks came after the Israeli prime minister gave Mr. Arafat a few more days to bring the violence under control.

Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat reacted to the Israeli decision with contempt, saying "threats, warnings and blackmailing are totally rejected by the Palestinians."

Clashes continued Tuesday in the West Bank and Gaza, but the overall level of violence appears to be lower than in recent days.

At a news conference in Jerusalem with Mr. Annan, Prime Minister Barak demanded the United Nations or the Red Cross be given immediate access to three Israeli soldiers captured last week by Lebanon's Hezbollah guerrillas.

/// BARAK ACT ///

We expect their immediate release since the abduction itself was clear cut violation of international law after our pullout from Lebanon.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Barak says he holds Lebanon and Syria responsible for securing the release of the soldiers. With thousands of troops in Lebanon, Syria is considered the major power broker in the country.

Hezbollah's capture of the soldiers is the most serious confrontation along Israel's northern border since Israel pulled out of southern Lebanon last May after more than 20 years of occupation.

Mr. Annan says he believes the three Israeli soldiers are alive and well, and plans to travel to Lebanon to discuss their wellbeing. (Signed)

NEB/MB/GE/JWH