Military

DATE=10/19/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL-PALESTINIAN RAMALLAH (L-O)

NUMBER=2-268167

BYLINE=SONJA PACE

DATELINE=RAMALLAH, WEST BANK

INTERNET=YES

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A self-imposed 48-hour deadline is winding down for Israelis and Palestinians to halt three-weeks of clashes. Sporadic violence was reported near Nablus and in Gaza. But both sides have taken some concrete measures to defuse tensions, and when V-O-A's Sonja Pace visited the West Bank city of Ramallah she found life returning to normal.

TEXT: /// ACT SFX STREET SOUNDS ///

The streets of downtown Ramallah are filled once again with cars and people. Markets, shops and restaurants are open for business.

But there was also evidence that no one here has forgotten the tension and violence of the past three-weeks.

It was just one-week ago that an angry mob stormed the local police station here and killed two Israeli reservists who had taken a wrong turn in the road and ended up in Ramallah by mistake. Hours after the incident, Israeli helicopter gun-ships attacked the police station and other targets, including some in Gaza.

In front of the bombed-out police station, people are lining up to sign a petition.

/// ACT OF MAN IN ARABIC ESTABLISH AND FADE ///

One of the organizers explains that it will be sent to Arab leaders, who are scheduled to meet in Cairo Saturday and Sunday. The petition asks the leaders to support the Palestinians and sever any and all ties with Israel. It also calls for Arab states to use oil as a weapon against Israel and the United States.

Farther down the street in the center of town, about 100-doctors and health practitioners are gathering for a demonstration. Mustafa Bargouti is president of the organization, Medical Relief.

/// BARGOUTI ACT IN ENGLISH ///

This is a demonstration of Palestinian medical personnel doctors, nurses, and first aid providers to protest against Israeli attacks on medical personnel.

/// END ACT ///

Dr. Bargouti cited several incidents in which Palestinian medical personnel have been killed or injured during the past three-weeks. He says the demonstration is also to show support for the Palestinian people.

/// 2nd BARGOUTI ACT IN ENGLISH ///

We are part of our people and our struggle for independence and to end this unjust (Israeli) occupation that has lasted too long ... There comes a time in peoples' lives when they cannot endure injustice anymore. And this time has come to Palestine and the world ought to see that.

/// END ACT ///

Many Palestinians have expressed similar sentiments. Few say they want the fighting to continue, but many express a sense of apprehension - that if does return, the outside world might simply forget about them. (SIGNED)

NEB/SP/KL/RAE