DATE=05/07/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=BUSH/SHARON PREVIEW (S)

NUMBER=2-289509

BYLINE=PAULA WOLFSON

DATELINE=WHITE HOUSE

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

///EDITORS: WATCH FOR UPDATED SHORT AND POSSIBLE LONG CR AFTER 12:30 WHITE HOUSE BRIEFING.///

INTRO: The White House is expecting some tough talk later today (3:45pm) when President Bush meets with Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. Mr. Sharon wants Yasser Arafat cut out of the peace process. V-O-A's Paula Wolfson reports the president, while stressing his disappointment in the Palestinian leader, will not agree.

TEXT: White House spokesman, Ari Fleischer, says during the meeting, the president will emphasize America's support for Israel. But he makes clear the United States will not go along with the Israeli campaign to banish Yasser Arafat from peace talks.

Mr. Fleischer says President Bush will tell Ariel Sharon that the Palestinian people see Mr. Arafat as their leader. He says the president will also call on Israel to do more to ease the plight of the Palestinians and will reaffirm his support for the goal of a Palestinian state.

At the same time, Mr. Fleischer says the Bush administration has serious concerns about the conduct of the Palestinian Authority. He says the president is realistic and knows the only way a Palestinian state can be successful is if it is democratic and corruption-free.

The Israeli prime minister will come to the White House with documents that he says link Yasser Arafat and the Palestinian Authority to terrorist activities; he will also provide evidence of Saudi financial support for terrorism. Mr. Fleischer says the president will review the documents and, if necessary, broach the matter with the Saudis. (Signed)

NEB/PW/SAB