Military

DATE= 7/26/02

TYPE= CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= JACKSON / MIDDLE EAST (L-O)

NUMBER=2-292473

BYLINE= MICHAEL LELAND

DATELINE=CHICAGO

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S civil rights activist Jesse Jackson is leading a delegation of religious leaders to the Middle East in an effort to bring peace to the region. The delegation plans to meet with both Israeli and Palestinian leaders. More from V-O-A's Michael Leland.

TEXT: Mr. Jackson's delegation includes Jewish, Muslim and Christian religious leaders. The head of the Chicago-based Rainbow-PUSH Coalition says his group will arrive in Jerusalem on Saturday and has meetings set up with Israeli Foreign Minster Shimon Peres, as well as Palestinian President Yasser Arafat.

/// JACKSON ACT 1 ///

We shall appeal to Mr. Arafat to speak clearly to end the intifada and the suicide bombings. (And) To Israel to end the occupation and the settlements.

/// END ACT ///

The group will also meet with peace activists from both sides, and with Israeli and Palestinian victims of the region's violence.

Mr. Jackson's mission comes at the invitation of the Lebanon-based Middle Eastern Council of Churches. He sees religious leaders as a so-called, "third force" which might be able to help break what he calls the death grip Israelis and Palestinians find themselves in.

Among those in the delegation is Rabbi Steven Jacobs of Los Angeles, who says he disagrees with the Israeli government's policy of isolating Yasser Arafat.

/// JACOBS ACT ///

This is a desperate hour. It is very dark there, and you meet with people with whom you do not share the same ideas in hopes that there is a humanity that comes forth.

/// END ACT ///

In addition to Jerusalem, the group will visit Tel Aviv, Gaza, Ramallah and Bethlehem. Mr. Jackson is also calling on the United States government to do more to help bring peace to the region. He says Americans can no longer distance themselves from the region's conflict.

/// JACKSON ACT 2 ///

That is why we are on high alert, that is why our airports are rigged [under increased security] and our seaports. That is why we have a new homeland security administrator. It is all driven by our policies in that region which have us in a global war.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Jackson says he spoke with U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell about the Middle East trip, but says he does not need and did not ask for the secretary's permission to go. (signed)

NEB/MJL/RH