Military

DATE=22/10/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PALESTINIANS-REACTION (L-O)

NUMBER=2-268286

BYLINE=SHOSHANA LONDON SAPPIR

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat is reacting angrily to a statement by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak that Israel needs a break in the peace process. Shoshana London Sappir reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Palestinians reacted in anger to an Israeli statement that a - time out - from peace negotiations is needed in light of more than three-weeks of violent clashes. Israel's Barak said the pause is needed to reassess the diplomatic process, but he did not set a time limit on the recess.

Asked for his response to the Israeli statement, Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, speaking in English, told reporters, in his words - Let him go to hell. He was apparently referring to Mr. Barak.

Mr. Arafat said the Palestinian people would continue their road to Jerusalem as the capital of their independent state.

Palestinian information minister Yasser Abed Rabbo called the Israeli time-out statement - a message of war. He warned Israel against imposing unilateral solutions on the Palestinians.

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The war of words followed a meeting of Arab leaders in Cairo. They condemned Israel's use of force against Palestinian demonstrators, in which nearly 120-people were killed in more than three-weeks. In the latest clashes, three Palestinians died on Sunday.

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Israeli commentators noted Mr. Barak's declaration of a - time out - could open the way for right-wing opposition parties to join his government coalition. (SIGNED)

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