Military

DATE=3/14/2004

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL-PALESTINIANS/SUMMIT (L-O)

NUMBER=2-314096

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israeli and Palestinian officials are meeting today (Sunday) to prepare for the first summit between their prime ministers. Israeli officials say the summit, expected to take place on Tuesday, could determine whether Israel proceeds with peace talks or adopts a unilateral plan to disengage from Palestinian areas. Ross Dunn reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: The chief of staff of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's office, Dov Weisglass and his Palestinian counterpart, Hassan Abu Libdeh, met Sunday to prepare for the talks.

They are discussing the agenda for a meeting tentatively set for Tuesday between Mr. Sharon and Palestinian Prime Minister, Ahmed Qureia.

Top Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat says that the Palestinians are hoping the summit will revive the international road map to peace.

The plan, which calls for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state by 2005, is supported by the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations.

Mr. Sharon says Israel still supports the implementation of the road map but is reserving the right to take its own unilateral steps if talks with the Palestinians do not succeed.

Mr. Sharon has said openly that the proposed unilateral plan is likely to include Israel withdrawing from most if not all of the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.

He is expected to visit Washington soon to present more details of the plan to President Bush.

Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority has begun talks with various Palestinian armed groups about how power will be shared in the Gaza Strip once Israel leaves the territory. (Signed)

NEB/RD/DW/RH