Military

DATE=10/31/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-268688

TITLE=U-S / MIDEAST (S-ONLY)

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE= STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: The Clinton administration is renewing efforts to get Israel and the Palestinians to stop fighting and agree to a truce after more than one month of deadly conflict. V-O-A Correspondent Nick Simeone reports Secretary of State Madeleine Albright is about to begin another round of contacts with both sides.

TEXT: The exact timing still has to be worked out, but Israel's acting Foreign Minister Shomo Ben-Ami is expected at the State Department this week for meetings with Secretary Albright - followed by senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat.

State Department spokesman Richard Boucher says the administration will press both sides to adhere to the pledges they made at an emergency summit in Sharm el-Sheik, Egypt two weeks ago.

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Including steps to calm the violence, the fact finding commission and ways to look for a path back to the peace process.

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Secretary Albright has singled out Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat for some of the violence, saying he should exercise more control over Arab militants.

On Tuesday, Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi accused the United States of having a pro-Israel tilt, telling reporters in Washington it is time for European and Arab countries - in addition to the United States - to assume the role of peace broker. (Signed)

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