DATE=03/25/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL / PALESTINIANS (S)

NUMBER=2-287951

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

INTRO: Middle East Envoy Anthony Zinni and Israeli and Palestinian security officials are to continue cease-fire negotiations in an effort to end nearly 18-months of violence. Correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Mr. Zinni has presented both sides with what is being described as a compromise based on a truce plan negotiated last year by the director of the U-S Central Intelligence Agency George Tenet.

Details of Mr. Zinni's proposal were not released.

The Israelis insist the Palestinians crack down on groups involved in the fighting, stop terror attacks, and arrest militants as the first steps of a cease-fire.

The Palestinians say Israel must pull its tanks and troops back to positions held before violence erupted in September 2000, and remove roadblocks that have crippled travel and trade in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Israel says if a cease-fire is reached, it will allow Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to attend an Arab summit later this week in Beirut. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is expected to discuss the current travel ban on Mr. Arafat with top government officials.

Israel has refused to allow Mr. Arafat to leave Palestinian territory since last December.

In new violence, Palestinians say a man was killed when Israeli forces entered the Rafah refugee camp in the Gaza Strip. (SIGNED)

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