DATE=3/31/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH MIDEAST (S ONLY)

NUMBER=2-288193

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: President Bush has condemned the bloody Easter Sunday terrorist bombings in the northern Israeli city, Haifa, and in the West Bank. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports from the White House.

TEXT: A White House spokesman says President Bush condemns the bombings, but will not let the attacks derail U-S efforts to promote peace.

Spokesman Gordon Johndroe say the president's Middle East envoy Anthony Zinni will stay in the region. Mr. Johndroe told reporters covering the President's stay at his Texas ranch, that General Zinni remains in touch with all parties.

The White House spokesman said President Bush learned of the bombings in a telephone call from his National Security Advisor Condoleezza Rice.

The attack on a restaurant in Haifa was the bloodiest incident of a holiday weekend that brought no peace to the region - a weekend in which Christians celebrated Easter and Jews continued their observance of Passover.

Two hours after the Haifa blast, a suspected suicide bomber wounded at least four people and took his own life in an explosion in the Jewish settlement of Efrat, not far from Bethlehem. (signed)

NEB/PW/FC