DATE=4/7/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-288417

TITLE=POWELL / MIDEAST (S)

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=WASHINGTON

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell, preparing to leave Washington late Sunday on a crucial Middle East mission, has telephoned Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to again press for an early end to Israel's military drive in the West Bank. V-O-A's David Gollust has details.

TEXT: Mr. Powell phoned the Israeli leader only hours before his scheduled departure for the region to again press for a pullback of Israeli forces from the Palestinian areas without delay. Appearing on the Fox News Sunday program, the secretary said he was pleased with Mr. Sharon's stated commitment to expedite the process because, he said, the military operation will not change the need for a political solution to the conflict:

/// POWELL ACTUALITY ///

For however long the Israeli incursion lasts, whether it end tomorrow or whether it ends a month from tomorrow or two months from tomorrow, we'll be right back where we are today: and that is a need to find a way for these two peoples to live side-by-side in two states: a Jewish state called Israel and a Palestinian state called Palestine.

/// END ACT ///

Mr. Powell said he would meet with besieged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat during his trip if circumstances permit. Before seeing the Israelis and Palestinians, Mr. Powell will have a meeting in Morocco with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah and also confer with President Hosni Mubarak in Egypt. (Signed)

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