DATE=03/18/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=MIDEAST/CHENEY (S-UPDATE)

NUMBER=2-287693

BYLINE=MEREDITH BUEL

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICE AT:

EDS: UPDATES CR 2-287673

INTRO: U-S Vice President Dick Cheney is calling on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to reject the use of violence as a political weapon and to make a maximum effort to stop terrorism. As correspondent Meredith Buel reports from Jerusalem, Mr. Cheney made the remarks shortly after arriving in Israel as part of his 11-nation trip to the Middle East.

TEXT: Vice President Cheney says the United States is committed to ending "the terror and violence" that have plagued the Middle East for nearly 18-months.

He says America wants "to build confidence between Israelis and Palestinians -- that peace is not only possible but necessary -- and to resume a political process" to end the conflict.

Mr. Cheney called on Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat to make every effort to stop the bloodshed.

///CHENEY ACT///

We continue to call on Chairman Arafat to live up to his commitment to renounce once and for all the use of violence as a political weapon and to exert a 100-percent effort to stamp out terrorism. Only then can an atmosphere be created that is conducive to achieving the legitimate aspirations of the Palestinian people to live safely and in dignity in their own state alongside Israel.

///END ACT///

Palestinian officials are expressing anger that Vice President Cheney has not scheduled a meeting with Mr. Arafat. (Signed)

NEB/MB/KL/SAB