DATE=04/11/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S-UPD)

NUMBER=2-288581

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

///// ED'S: POWELL SKED TO ARRIVE APPROX 1930 UTC /////

INTRO: Secretary of State Colin Powell is arriving (has arrived) in Jerusalem in an effort to mediate a cease-fire to end more than 18-months of Israeli-Palestinian violence. As Correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem, Mr. Powell's visit coincides with some of the worst bloodshed in the Middle East in decades.

TEXT: Mr. Powell will hold consultations with U-S Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni and U-S Ambassador to Israel Daniel Kurtzer, before meeting Friday with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon.

/// OPT /// Secretary Powell has set aside nearly three-hours for his talks with the Israeli Prime Minister. /// END OPT ///

Later, he is scheduled to meet with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and Defense Minister Benyamin Ben-Eliezer.

Mr. Powell is expected to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat Saturday in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Israel invaded Palestinian cities in the West Bank two-weeks ago, following a series of Palestinian suicide bombings that killed dozens of Israelis.

Hundreds of Palestinians have died and the Israeli military says more than four-thousand have been arrested during the offensive.

Mr. Sharon says the offensive will continue, despite pressure from the United States to end the operation.

While the Israeli army has pulled out of some areas, troops continue to occupy major Palestinian population centers in the West Bank. (SIGNED)

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