Military

DATE=1/7/2005

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= PALESTINIAN POLITICS / ISRAEL L-O

NUMBER=2-321588

BYLINE= LARRY JAMES

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

HEADLINE: Palestinian Presidential Campaign in Final Day

INTRO: The campaign for the presidency of the Palestinian Authority entered its final day Friday. VOAs Larry James reports from Jerusalem that front-runner Mahmoud Abbas cancelled a planned campaign stop in the city, while his main rival was arrested for the second time as he entered the Old City of Jerusalem.

TEXT: The presidential campaign officially concludes at midnight Friday.

Front-runner Mahmoud Abbas began the day by laying a wreath at the grave of Yasser Arafat in Ramallah. He cancelled a planned campaign visit to Jerusalem, reportedly because he was worried that Israeli security arrangements would have proved an embarrassment. When asked by journalists why he cancelled the visit he said simply I will go to Jerusalem later on.

The Israeli police say they have received no requests from Mr. Abbass campaign for a visit to the city by the candidate.

Mr. Abbass chief rival Mustafa Barghouti did come to Jerusalem, but as Diala Ghassan of his campaign explained, ended up in police custody.

/// GHASSAN ACT ///

First of all Dr. Barghouti had permission to enter Jerusalem. He had a press conference in the morning. Afterward he met Jimmy Carter. Then he decided to go to pray in Al Aqsa mosque. While he was going down to the Lions Gate they arrest him, the Israeli police arrest him. He showed him his permission but to enter Jerusalem, the permit. Even though they arrested him.

/// END ACT ///

Israeli police said Mr. Barghouti had violated an agreement not to campaign at the mosque compound, which is one of the most sensitive areas here and sacred to both Muslims and Jews. Control of Jerusalem is one of the key issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Israel claims the city as its capital. Palestinians insist it should be the capital of a future Palestinian state.

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