DATE=09/14/2003

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=ISRAEL/ARAFAT (S)

NUMBER=2-307484

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Israel's deputy prime minister, Ehud Olmert, says that killing President Yasser Arafat is one option being considered to carry out the Israeli Security Cabinet's intention to remove the Palestinian leader. Ross Dunn has more on the story from Jerusalem.

TEXT: Mr. Olmert says that Israel is trying to eliminate what he described as "one of the heads of terror."

Mr. Olmert was responding to questions about the decision of the Israeli security cabinet on Thursday to have Mr. Arafat removed.

He says other options being considered include expelling Mr. Arafat or ensuring he is further isolated in his partially-destroyed headquarters in the West Bank city of Ramallah.

Since the security cabinet's call for the "removal" of Mr. Arafat, Palestinians have turned out by the thousands to demonstrate their support for him.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat likened Mr. Olmert's remarks to the "thinking and action of the mafia - not a government." Mr. Erekat says, if Mr. Arafat is expelled or killed, it will spell the destruction of the entire Palestinian Authority. (SIGNED)

NEB/RD/DW/TW