Military

DATE=11/02/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / CEASEFIRE (L / 2ND UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-268764

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

/// EDS: UPDATES 2-268760 WITH NEW INFORMATION ABOUT STATEMENTS ///

INTRO: Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat were due to make public statements agreeing to a truce to end five weeks of bloodshed. More than 160 people have died, most of them Palestinians. Instead, the two sides have issued separate written statements urging an end to the violence. V-O-A Correspondent Laurie Kassman reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: The separate written statements issued on behalf of the Israeli and Palestinian leaders call for a return to calm. But Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat have not broadcast the promised joint declaration.

An Israeli statement issued earlier in the day calls for an end to the violence and a resumption of what it calls the peace of the brave. A separate statement from Mr. Arafat's office also calls for a return to calm and urges Palestinians to continue their struggle for an independent state through peaceful means.

Israeli officials say they are disappointed that Mr. Arafat has not made the promised simultaneous live broadcast of an agreed text.

Former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres negotiated the arrangement Wednesday night with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat.

Earlier in the day, Mr. Peres said both leaders would appeal for calm.

/// PERES ACT ///

We hope that we shall have two or three days without funerals. We shall return to normalize the situation in the territories and return to the peace talks.

/// END ACT ///

But a close advisor to Chairman Arafat, Sueilman Najjar, told V-O-A that the agreement for a truce is only the first step in a long road back to the peace table.

/// NAJJAR ACT ///

It's not a deal, it's a truce and to give a chance for political efforts and political activities.

/// END ACT ///

The public statements were expected by mid-afternoon. Instead, the news focussed on a car bomb that exploded near a busy Jerusalem market. Two people were killed and 11 were injured. Islamic Jihad claimed responsibility for the bombing in a statement faxed to several international news agencies. (Signed)

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