DATE=03/23/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL/PALESTINIANS (S)

NUMBER=2-287901

BYLINE=LAURIE KASSMAN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: U-S envoy Anthony Zinni still plans to hold another round of talks Sunday with Israeli and Palestinian security officials to thrash out a cease-fire plan. His mission has been threatened by a series of suicide bomb attacks against Israelis. Correspondent Laurie Kassman reports from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Mr. Zinni has already met several times with leaders on both sides. He has also held at least two lengthy discussions with Palestinian and Israeli security officials, and plans another round for Sunday.

Three suicide bombing attacks in as many days had threatened to derail the talks.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is holding Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat responsible for curbing the violence. Washington has also complained that Mr. Arafat is not doing enough.

U-S President Bush says Vice President Dick Cheney could still meet Mr. Arafat early next week, if he does more to end the violence and create conditions for a cease-fire.

It will be up to U-S envoy Zinni to determine if the Palestinian leader has followed through on his pledge to stop 18 months of Israeli-Palestinian violence. (Signed)

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