DATE=4-12-02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

NUMBER=2-288646

TITLE=POWELL-ARAFAT (S-UPDATE)

BYLINE=DAVID GOLLUST

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S officials say Secretary of State Colin Powell -- in the wake of Friday's suicide bombing in Jerusalem -- is re-assessing plans to meet besieged Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat in Ramallah Saturday. VOA's David Gollust reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: The planned meeting with Mr. Arafat who remains under virtual house arrest by Israeli forces in Ramallah has loomed at the most critical and controversial event of his Middle East tour thus far.

But aides say the encounter is now under review in light of Friday's bombing, the latest in a series to hit Jerusalem's central business area in recent weeks.

In a talk with reporters, State Department spokesman Richard Boucher said the secretary in his words "is looking at the whole situation in terms of where we are and where we stand" in the aftermath of the attack. He said any change in the Powell schedule would be announced after the review.

The bombing came only a few hours after Mr. Powell's first meeting here with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon and aides say Mr. Powell who was beginning a helicopter tour of Israel's troubled northern border region -- telephoned Mr. Sharon to express regret and condemn the incident.

The secretary said the blast illustrates the "exceptionally dangerous" situation that exists in the region and the need for everyone in the international community to exert every effort to find a solution. (Signed)

NEB/DAD/MEM