DATE=3/20/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH/MIDEAST(S)

NUMBER=2-287787

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush says he is "frustrated" by the level of violence in the Middle East. But as V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports, Mr. Bush is vowing to continue efforts to achieve a cease-fire.

TEXT: The president says Middle East Envoy Anthony Zinni is making some progress. He says despite the violence, the United States will stay the course, and keep trying to get the two sides to accept a plan to end the bloodshed.

Mr. Bush spoke just hours after a Palestinian suicide bomber killed himself and seven passengers on a bus in northern Israel. At the same time, Vice-President Dick Cheney was wrapping up a ten-day journey to the Middle East which included talks in many Arab countries and Israel.

Mr. Cheney indicated Tuesday he might be willing to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat if certain conditions are met. President Bush told reporters Mr. Arafat must be diligent, firm and consistent in his efforts to rein in terrorists. He once again called for a 100 percent effort from the head of the Palestinian Authority. (Signed)

NEB/PW/SAB