Military

DATE=10/16/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-267984

TITLE=MIDEAST SUMMIT / MOOD (L-only)

BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB

DATELINE=SHARM EL-SHEIKH, EGYPT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: World leaders are convening an emergency summit today (Monday) in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt, in an attempt to end more than two weeks of violence that has killed more than 100 people in the Palestinian territories and Israel. Most of the victims have been Palestinian. Our Middle East correspondent, Scott Bobb, reports from Sharm el-Sheikh, a resort on the Red Sea coast that usually is best known for its beaches and coral reefs.

TEXT: The sun dawned crisp and bright Monday over Sharm el-Sheikh, promising a warm day. Vacationers in bathing suits and sandals began to emerge from their rooms, for breakfast or an early swim.

The rhythm at the dozens of resort hotels here remained largely the same -- except, that is, at the large hotel that is hosting Monday's summit. There, bleary-eyed diplomats try to stay focused after days of non-stop meetings and international telephone calls aimed at overcoming the tensions of the past weeks and bringing the Israeli and Palestinian leaders together.

Many feel the two weeks of violence, in which more than 100 people have died, has jeopardized the peace process after months of intense efforts. U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan, who is also attending the summit, told reporters Sunday the crisis could affect the whole world.

/// ANNAN ACT ///

It is going to affect global economic growth.

Oil prices have hit their highest level in 10

years. It is going to affect all countries,

rich and poor.

/// END ACT ///

It was at this same hotel in Sharm el-Sheikh one year ago that Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat and Israeli Prime minister Ehud Barak signed an interim accord, witnessed by Jordan's King Abdullah and U-S Secretary of State Madeleine Albright.

In the accord, which ended several years of stalemate, the two sides pledged to forge a framework for a final peace agreement. A two-week summit at Camp David last August was a major effort to meet that deadline.

At Camp David, the two sides began to discuss the most difficult issues in the peace process: the future of several million Palestinian refugees and the status of Jerusalem in any final accord. Participants say important compromises were proposed. But these proved unacceptable to public opinion in Israel, and to the Arab world, which for decades has claimed East Jerusalem as its sovereign, undivided capital.

/// REST OPT ///

Rising tensions erupted in violence last month after former Israeli defense minister Ariel Sharon visited Jerusalem's Temple Mount, which is sacred to both peoples.

As the clashes intensified, Arabs around the region were shocked by the sight of Palestinian boys killed in the crossfire, while Israelis were angered by vandalism at Jewish shrines and the lynching of two Israeli reservists.

Diplomats among the various parties say they do not expect a major breakthrough today. But they hope the talks here will help bring an end to the violence. (Signed)

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