DATE=04/17/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS UPDATE (S)

NUMBER=2-288815

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell has concluded his mission to Israel and the Palestinian territories without achieving a cease-fire to end the more than 18-months of violence. As correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem, Mr. Powell says Israel must end its military raids in the West Bank and the Palestinian leadership needs to do more to fight terrorism.

TEXT: Secretary Powell told reporters in Jerusalem it was not possible to negotiate a truce during his trip, because of the continuing Israeli military operation in Palestinian-ruled territory in the West Bank.

He says once the raids are over, both sides can make progress by resuming negotiations about security.

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Only with the end of the incursion and with engagement in security talks can a cease-fire be achieved in reality as well as rhetoric.

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Mr. Powell says he believes Israel will withdraw from the West Bank soon, and said the United States is working toward a solution to a standoff in Bethlehem's Church of the Nativity, where Palestinian gunmen are surrounded by Israeli troops and tanks.

Mr. Powell says he bluntly told Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat that "terrorism must end."

The Secretary of State says President Bush is prepared to send U-S Central Intelligence Agency (C-I-A) Director George Tenet back to the region to promote security cooperation between Israel and the Palestinians. (Signed)

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