Military

DATE=10/18/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N / MIDEAST DEBATE (L ONLY)

NUMBER=2-268131

BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israeli and Palestinian representatives traded charges Wednesday in the first phase of an emergency United Nations General Assembly session on the violence in the Mideast. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: The chief Palestinian observer to the United Nations, Nasser al-Kidwa, told the Assembly that Israel is both an occupying and colonial power in Palestinian lands. Speaking through an English interpreter, Mr. al-Kidwa said Israel uses savage force against Palestinians and then blames the victims for the violence.

/// AL-KIDWA INTERPRETER ACT ///

The occupying forces have used heavy weaponry, helicopter gunships, and in many cases they have caused a large number of casualties and losses among our people. In addition to all of this ugliness, Israel, the occupying power, attempts to lay the blame on the Palestinian side, to point the finger of blame to those who have been killed and injured.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. al-Kidwa did take note of two violent attacks by Palestinians -- the destruction of Joseph's Tomb, a site holy to Jews, and the brutal murders of two Israeli soldiers at a Palestinian police station. Mr. al-Kidwa said the Palestinian leadership strongly condemns both incidents.

But Israel's ambassador to the United Nations, Yehuda Lancry, said the Palestinian Authority is helping to promote the violence by allowing extremists to appear on its radio and television broadcasts. Mr. Lancry denied Israel has used excessive force, saying it has simply protected its citizens.

/// LANCRY ACT ///

Allegations that Israel used excessive force in these confrontations is completely unfounded. There is no nation on earth that would tolerate such violent, life threatening attacks against its citizens and not respond in kind.

/// END ACT ///

The General Assembly session also heard speeches from Senegal in its role as head of the Assembly's committee on Palestinian rights and from South Africa, speaking on behalf of the more than 100 nations which comprise what is called the nonaligned group.

The United States had opposed the General Assembly session on the grounds that it would not be helpful at this time. However, U-S ambassador Richard Holbrooke did attend, saying he did so to show respect to all the speakers.

The Assembly will resume its discussion of Mideast violence on Friday after receiving a report from U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan. Mr. Annan will review the effect of efforts earlier this week at Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt, to end the violence. (Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/LSF/JWH