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U.S. arranged secret meeting between Palestinian leaders, Israelis

Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Tuesday, March 13, 2001

RAMALLAH Ñ Leaders of the Palestinian mini-war have met with Israeli security chiefs in the first session since the confrontation erupted more than six months ago.

The meeting took place amid an Israeli siege of Ramallah, regarded by the Palestinians as the harshest measure by the Israeli army against the Palestinians.

Fatah leader Marwan Barghouti met General Security Services chief Avi Dichter earlier this month in what was described as a secret session arranged by the United States. The meeting discussed the prospect of ending the mini-war in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Barghouti, who has vowed to continue the mini-war, has been criticized by his colleagues for agreeing to meet Dichter. The report of the meeting was first broadcast on Israel's Channel One television. Barghouti responded angrily and threatened the life of television correspondent Kaed Daher.

The siege of Ramallah has especially affected the movement of senior Palestinian figures and on Monday the PA organized thousands of Palestinians in Ramallah to demonstrate against the Israeli closure.

At the same time, Palestinian tractors tried to destroy Israeli barriers around Ramallah and were driven back by Israeli troops. An estimated 20 Palestinians were injured in the protests, Palestinian sources said.

"This situation is unprecedented in the history of mankind," PA Health Minister Riad Zaanoun told PA radio.

The Israeli measures come amid what Palestinian sources termed is the first serious debate within ruling circles to end the mini-war. The debate is said to have included both academics and clergymen.

PA security chiefs also warned other Israeli correspondents from entering PA-controlled areas. Israeli and PA security officials also met on late Sunday to discuss easing restrictions in the Gaza Strip.

In Gaza, the Hamas claimed to have destroyed an Israeli tank in an attack near the Bureij refugee camp. Israel did not confirm the report but on late Sunday Prime Minister Ariel Sharon convened defense chiefs to discuss the escalation of the mini-war in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

Labor Party ministers are complaining that they have been left out of the first military decisions taken by Sharon. This includes the siege of the West Bank city of Ramallah. The Israeli army dug a huge ditch around the city as Sharon sent a message to Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak that Israel has peaceful intentions.

"I believe this needs another look and this will be done," Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said.

In Cairo, Arab foreign ministers demanded that the United Nations Security Council meet to establish a force to protect Palestinians from Israel.

Tuesday, March 13, 2001

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