Military

DATE=04/11/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS (S)

NUMBER=2-268824

BYLINE=SHOSHANA LONDON SAPPIR

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Clashes between Israelis and Palestinians are continuing throughout the West Bank and Gaza Strip even though officials from both sides say they are ready to travel to Washington for talks on breaking the cycle of violence. Shoshana London Sappir reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: There was no evidence of a cease fire between Israelis and Palestinians Saturday even after the sides announced their leaders are prepared to meet President Clinton in a bid to break the cycle of violence. Israelis and Palestinians exchanged fire in the West Bank until the early morning hours Saturday.

The ground clashes continued, even as the leaders indicated they are hoping to rein in the violence. Officials on both sides said Friday Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak and Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat are prepared to go to Washington next week for separate meetings with President Clinton. Exact dates for the meetings were not announced but they are scheduled to take place after the U.S. presidential elections next Tuesday.

Tensions remain high in the Middle East after more than 170 deaths in five weeks of confrontation. Israel radio issued a warning that Palestinian militants are trying to carry out more attacks like the car bomb that exploded in a crowded Jerusalem market Thursday, killing two bystanders. The official Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayyam accused Israel of violating a tentative cease fire by launching rockets at a West Bank town early Saturday. (signed)

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