Military

DATE=10/16/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-268021

TITLE=MIDEAST SUMMIT (L UPDATE)

BYLINE=SCOTT BOBB

DATELINE=SHARM EL-SHEIKH

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: THIS REPORT UPDATES CR 2-267999 ///

INTRO: Foreign ministers at the emergency Middle East summit in Egypt are trying to draft a document aimed at ending the violence between Palestinians and Israelis. V-O-A Correspondent Scott Bobb reports from the summit in Sharm el-Sheikh that the negotiations came during a day of intense summitry that has been marred by a resurgence of the violence the meeting is seeking to stop.

TEXT: Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak and U-S President Bill Clinton held separate -- but what were called substantive -- meetings Monday evening with Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Members of the various delegations told reporters they were trying to bridge considerable differences and a climate of distrust between Palestinian and Israeli delegations following weeks of violence in which more than 100 people have been killed.

A Palestinian was killed and dozens of people were wounded Monday as Palestinians in Gaza and the West Bank protested against the summit. Similar protests were also held in the Egyptian capital, Cairo, as well as in Lebanon, Iran and Iraq.

Palestinian delegates are insisting that Israel withdraw its troops from recently occupied areas and accept an international inquiry into what caused the violence. Israeli delegates say they will accept only a commission of Israeli, Palestinian, and U-S members.

Israeli spokesman Nachman Shay said a ceasefire agreement would make the summit a success. But he said there are no plans to resume the peace negotiations at this meeting.

/// SHAY ACT ///

We need confidence. We would like to renew the confidence between us and the Palestinians because so much of that was lost in the last three weeks. And we would like to go and work back with our neighbors, with the Palestinians, on peace and to really foster peace between us and them.

/// END ACT ///

President Mubarak opened the summit Monday warning there is a risk of the violence spreading across the Middle East if the leaders do not find a way to stop the clashes.

/// MUBARAK ACT - IN ARABIC - FADE UNDER ///

The Egyptian president called on the leaders not to allow desperation and chaos to take over and destroy what has been achieved with so much difficulty. President Clinton said the summit should end the violence, agree on ways to ensure it never happens again, and to restart the peace negotiations.

/// CLINTON ACT ///

The future of the peoples involved here and the future of the peace process and the stability in the region are at stake. We cannot afford to fail here.

/// END ACT ///

President Clinton said the parties must move beyond blame and focus on disengagement and confidence-building measures in order to rebuild the bonds of trust. (Signed)

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