DATE=

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT 2-

TITLE=POWELL/MIDEAST (S)

NUMBER=2-288141

BYLINE=NICK SIMEONE

DATELINE= STATE DEPARTMENT

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S Secretary of State Colin Powell says Israel has given the United States assurances that it has no intention of harming or capturing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Still, Correspondent Nick Simeone reports, the administration is calling on Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon to consider his actions carefully.

TEXT: Secretary Powell tells reporters despite the Bush administration's grave concerns over the situation, it has no plans to cut short the mission of its Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni.

/// POWELL ACT ///

We must not lose sight of the goal. We have to achieve an enduring and comprehensive peace for Arabs and Israelis alike. This is the future. This is what we must achieve and although things look dark now, we must have hope, we must continue to work and work hard. General Zinni for that reason will remain in the region.

/// END ACT ///

In his first reaction to the Israeli raid, he says Israeli Prime Minister Sharon has assured him the point of the assault on Mr. Arafat's headquarters was not to harm or capture the Palestinian leader but only to isolate him, and that Israel does not intend a long-term re-occupation of Ramallah. Still, the Bush administration is stopping short of calling on Israel to pull back its forces, with Secretary Powell saying Israel is trying to defend itself against terrorism and called on Mr. Arafat to end attacks against Israelis. (SIGNED)

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