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Violence Explodes Across West Bank; Barak Wins Political Battle

Aired May 15, 2000 - 6:00 p.m. ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

WOLF BLITZER, CNN ANCHOR: Violence exploded across the West Bank and Gaza Strip Monday. Israeli and Palestinian security forces exchanged gunfire. At least three Palestinians were killed. Thousands of Palestinians marked the anniversary of what they call "the catastrophe," the creation of Israel, by hurling stones and firebombs at Israeli troops.

More now from CNN's Mike Hanna.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

MIKE HANNA, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): A rare sight in recent years: Israeli solders and Palestinian police in direct confrontation. This fire fight in the West Bank town of Ramallah the most serious clash on a day of widespread demonstrations in Palestinian territory. More than 300 Palestinians were wounds, and so were several Israeli soldiers.

EHUD BARAK, ISRAELI PRIME MINISTER: We are not walking an easy road. The battle to achieve peace and security for Israel is not a game.

HANNA: And struggle on a front in a political front in Israel's Knesset, or parliament. Prime Minister Ehud Barak introduced a controversial proposal to transfer full control of three villages on the outskirts of Jerusalem to the Palestinian authority.

Despite vocal opposition from some members of his own coalition, Mr. Barak's proposal was passed by 56 votes to 48.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

HANNA: It was, in Mr. Barak's eyes, a brave political gamble. And in the days ahead, the shaky majority of his coalition government within the parliament could be at risk. But despite this, the proposal was not regarded as overly significant by the Palestinian side. Those who'd been demonstrating in the streets and those who'd been negotiating at the table believe there are far more substantial issued to issues to be addressed than the handover of land that is partially under Palestinian control at this stage anyway.

The gap between those negotiating a peace deal remains as wide as it was before the Knesset debate. Back to you, Wolf.

BLITZER: Mike, the prime minister, Mr. Barak, is scheduled to come to Washington later this month for, among other things, some talks with President Clinton. Is there any indication whatsoever at this point that that trip could be in trouble because of these latest developments?

HANNA: Well, certainly the violence does pose a threat to the peace process as a whole, and certainly that would have an impact on Mr. Barak's proposed visit to the United States, which is part of this particular proposal. But the deal, the proposal that he managed to get through the Knesset, although it may be dismissed by many Palestinians, would be regarded by the U.S. as a significant step within the terms that it is.

Mr. Barak has essentially taken on the right wing within the parliament, and indeed within his coalition government, and on this occasion has won. He has finally taken the bit between the teeth, it could be interpreted as, and certainly has thrown down a challenge to a section of the Israeli community which he had been avoiding confronting in the past. And this is something that the U.S. would most likely welcome, and this is something that may make his visit to the U.S. a little bit easier.

Mike Hanna, CNN, reporting live from Jerusalem.

BLITZER: Thank you, Mike.

For U.S. reaction to these latest developments in the Middle East, we go now to our State Department correspondent Andrea Koppel -- Andrea.

ANDREA KOPPEL, CNN STATE DEPARTMENT CORRESPONDENT: Wolf, privately U.S. officials are very concerned that the Palestinian track appears to have taken a sudden turn for the worse. U.S. Secretary of State Madeleine Albright said that special Middle East coordinator Dennis Ross was back in Israel today. He would be meeting with both sides in the hopes of getting these talks moving again.

(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)

MADELEINE ALBRIGHT, U.S. SECRETARY OF STATE: We don't believe that violence is going to solve anything. We think it's very important that the leaders themselves try to do everything they can to control any violence. It's very important that there be the right climate so that the peace efforts will be able to go on.

(END VIDEO CLIP)

KOPPEL: Of particular concern to the U.S. indications that Prime Minister Barak's coalition could be falling apart. The U.S. worries that Prime Minister Barak will lose so much control, so much support within his coalition, that that will paralyze his government.

Another concern: the confrontations,the violent confrontations, between Palestinian protesters and the police in the West Bank and Gaza, the most recent indication of the frustration considered by the Palestinians over the slow pace of these talks right now.

And, Wolf, coming up we have the September 13th deadline for the finish of the final-status peace talks -- Wolf.

BLITZER: OK, Andrea Koppel reporting live from the State Department, thank you.

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