DATE=12/19/98
TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT
NUMBER=2-243285
TITLE= PALESTINIANS / IRAQ (L-ONLY)
BYLINE= ROSS DUNN
DATELINE= JERUSALEM
CONTENT=
VOICED AT:
INTRO: IN THE WEST BANK, PALESTINIANS HAVE DEFIED POLICE BANS
AND CARRIED OUT DEMONSTRATIONS IN SUPPORT OF IRAQ. ROSS DUNN
REPORTS FROM JERUSALEM THAT THE PROTESTS ARE CHARGED WITH
ANTI-AMERICAN AND ANTI-ISRAELI SENTIMENT.
TEXT: ABOUT THREE-THOUSAND PALESTINIANS SATURDAY MARCHED THROUGH
THE WEST BANK TOWN OF HEBRON CARRYING IRAQI FLAGS AND SHOUTING
"DEATH TO ISRAEL, DEATH TO AMERICA!"
THE MARCHERS, THEIR FACES HIDDEN BEHIND BLACK HOODS OR KEFFIYEHS,
TRADITIONAL ARAB SCARFS, CARRIED POSTERS OF IRAQI PRESIDENT
SADDAM HUSSEIN, PROCLAIMING HIM AS THEIR HERO.
PALESTINIAN POLICE MADE NO EFFORT TO RESTRAIN THE DEMONSTRATORS,
DESPITE AN OFFICIAL BAN ON PROTESTS AGAINST THE US-BRITISH
AIR-STRIKES ON BAGHDAD.
AS THE MARCH CONTINUED PAST HEBRON UNIVERSITY, THE PROTESTERS,
REFERRING TO PRESIDENT CLINTON'S ADMITTED AFFAIR WITH FORMER
INTERN MONICA LEWINSKY, YELLED: "NO WAR FOR MONICA, OUR BLOOD
AND OUR SOUL WILL REDEEM IRAQ."
THE RALLY DREW A WIDE CROSS SECTION OF PALESTINIAN SOCIETY,
INCLUDING MEMBERS OF THE MILITANT ISLAMIC GROUP HAMAS AND
SUPPORTERS OF FATAH, THE DOMINANT FACTION OF THE PALESTINE
LIBERATION ORGANIZATION.
PALESTINIAN MEDIA OUTLETS, HOWEVER, WERE PREVENTED FROM REPORTING
THE DEMONSTRATION, AFTER A DIRECTIVE FROM THE PALESTINIAN
AUTHORITIES AGAINST THE BROADCASTING OF PRO-IRAQ SENTIMENTS.
PALESTINIAN JOURNALISTS RISKED DETENTION FOR BREACHING THE
CENSORSHIP RULES.
THE SITUATION IN ISAQ HAS POSED A MAJOR DILEMMA FOR THE
PALESTINIAN AUTHORITY, WHICH WANTS TO AVOID ANGERING THE WEST
WITH OPEN DISPLAYS OF SUPPORT FOR SADDAM HUSSEIN.
AT THE SAME TIME, THE PALESTINIAN LEADERSHIP SEES A NEED TO
ALLOW SOME OUTLET FOR THE ANGER OF ITS CITIZENS OVER THE MILITARY
STRIKES AGAINST BAGHDAD. (SIGNED)
NEB/RD/PLM
19-Dec-98 6:47 AM EST (1147 UTC)
NNNN
Source: Voice of America
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