Military

DATE=11/01/2000

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS ONITER(S / L)

NUMBER=2-268728

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Former Prime Minister Shimon Peres met for two hours with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Gaza late Wednesday night. Correspondent Laurie Kassman reports from Jerusalem the talks took place after a day of fierce gunbattles in the West Bank and Gaza.

TEXT: The Peres-Arafat meeting lasted for about two hours but neither man had any comments on the contents of the discussions.

Earlier Wednesday evening Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak said he was sending Mr. Peres with a message to the Palestinian leader to end the violence now. For his part, Palestinian officials say Mr. Arafat wanted to call on Mr. Peres to get the Israelis to stop the fighting.

The meeting took place after an afternoon and evening of fierce clashes between the Israeli military and Palestinians in several West Bank areas and Gaza. Three Israeli soldiers and at least half a dozen Palestinians including one policeman --were killed in separate clashes.

After an emergency meeting with his security advisors Wednesday night, Prime Minister Barak warned of a tough response if the violence continues. The army will acct firmly, he says, but without being drawn into adventurism.

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Palestinian media says it has been warned to evacuate its broadcasting facilities.

Israeli radio says military commanders have provided Mr. Barak with a list of targets. But his word of caution against what he calls adventurism indicate heightened Israeli sensitivity to international accusations of an exaggerated use of force against the Palsetinians.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says he was prevented by Israeli security from leaving his home in Jericho because of the fighting there. Israeli combat helicopters are reported to have hit a hotel and casino in Jericho and a building of the Palestinian Authority.

Mr. Erekat is due to travel to Washington to meet with U-S Secretary of State Madeline Albright and other U-S officials attempting to win a ceasefire. Mrs. Albright has already met with Israel's Acting foreign minister.(Signed)

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