Military

DATE=9/16/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S)

NUMBER=2-307545

BYLINE= SONJA PACE

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: A senior Palestinian official proposes that Israel and the Palestinian Authority reach a mutual ceasefire agreement to pave the way for getting back to peace negotiations. There has been no official response yet from Israel, but an official is quoted as saying the government rejects the idea. V-O-A's Sonja Pace reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Yasser Arafat's top national security advisor, Jibril Rajoub told Israeli radio that the Palestinian Authority wants to reach a full, permanent truce with Israel. He said the Palestinians would promise to halt all violence if Israel agrees to end its military operations and lift its blockade of Palestinian towns and villages. Mr. Rajoub said that without mutual action, nothing can be achieved.

Mr. Rajoub did not specify how the Palestinian Authority would deal with militant groups, such as Islamic Jihad and Hamas, which have carried out most of the attacks against Israel.

An Israeli official is quoted as saying the government rejects such an offer. The official repeated Israel's demand that the Palestinian Authority dismantle and eradicate terrorist organizations. (SIGNED)

NEB/SP/MAR