DATE=4/06/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE= BUSH / ISRAEL (S)

NUMBER=2-288409

BYLINE= PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE= CRAWFORD, TEXAS

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush has personally urged Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to end the Israeli offensive in the West Bank. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports in a telephone call from his Texas ranch, Mr. Bush said Israeli should act now.

TEXT: President Bush told the prime minister he is deeply concerned about events in the region. Mr. Bush said Israel must withdraw immediately.

The president's message in a 20-minute phone conversation, reinforced what he said at a news conference a short time earlier with British Prime Minister Tony Blair.

A senior Bush administration official said the president stressed to Prime Minister Sharon that Israel needs to diffuse the situation so diplomacy can work. The official told reporters the president made clear Israel needs to make progress now.

A spokesman for Ariel Sharon said after the call that the prime minister told the president that Israel would expedite its offensive in the West Bank.

Asked if Mr. Bush was satisfied with the response, the administration official said the president is looking for action not words from Israel. (signed)

NEB/MEM