Military

DATE=11/08/00

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=U-N-ARAFAT VISIT SET (L Only)

NUMBER=2-269002

BYLINE=BRECK ARDERY

DATELINE=UNITED NATIONS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat will meet with members of the United Nations Security Council on Friday to promote a plan for an international protection force for Palestinians. V-O-A Correspondent Breck Ardery reports from the United Nations.

TEXT: Mr. Arafat will travel to New York after meeting with President Clinton in Washington. The U-N Security Council agreed to meet with the Palestinian leader in a closed session where the main focus is expected to be a proposed protection force.

The Palestinian Authority and its Arab allies are pushing the idea of a lightly-armed international force that would protect Palestinian civilians from what they call "excessive force" by Israeli authorities.

The Palestinian U-N Observer, Nasser al-Kidwa, told reporters he hopes Mr. Arafat's appearance will move the idea forward.

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We expect that the meeting will provide another opportunity for the Palestinian side to stress the importance of the provision of protection to the Palestinian civilians under Israeli occupation, and we expect even further support within the members of the Council.

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But some members of the Security Council, including the United States, say such an international force could not be deployed without Israel's agreement, and Israel has already said "no" to the idea. On Tuesday, U-N Secretary-General Kofi Annan also said Israel would have to agree to such a force.

While conceding that, as a "practical matter" Israel would have to cooperate with an international protection force, Mr. al-Kidwa says the Council has a responsibility to vote on the matter anyway. He says a resolution to create the force could be ready for a vote by early next week.(Signed)

NEB/UN/BA/LSF/TW