Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Gold/Mining/Energy : Gold Price Monitor -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: The Fix who wrote (18446)	9/11/1998 2:27:00 AM
From: Alex	Respond to of 116753

Israel seals off West Bank, citing terrorism threat Copyright c 1998 Nando.net Copyright c 1998 The Associated Press JERUSALEM (September 11, 1998 01:02 a.m. EDT nandotimes.com) -- Israel announced Thursday its first closure of the West Bank in nearly a year, even as an American mediator held talks aimed at setting terms for an Israeli pullback from the territory. The army said it would seal off of the West Bank and Gaza, effective at 4 a.m. Friday (9 p.m. EDT Thursday) because of the threat of attacks by terrorist groups, but provided no details. The Israeli military was on high alert, the statement said The announcement came shortly after the army said two men it described as would-be terrorists were slain in a confrontation with Israeli troops in the West Bank town of Hebron. Palestinian workers' access to Israel had not been denied since a suicide bombing in Jerusalem on Sept. 4, 1997. Meanwhile, Israel was tightlipped about talks with U.S. envoy Dennis Ross, and the Palestinians said bridging gaps would be difficult. The restrained assessments came amid an unfolding political crisis in Washington that led some to wonder whether the Middle East peace process would suffer as a result of President Clinton's mounting troubles. "The uncertainty ... creates a situation of instability," former Palestinian Cabinet minister Hanan Ashrawi told CNN. "Instead of making clear policy decisions ... everyone's second-guessing what will happen to Clinton." Details of the U.S. independent counsel's report on Clinton -- said to contain allegations of perjury, obstruction of justice, witness tampering and abuse of power -- dominated Israeli news reports Thursday. Coverage of Ross' visit was a distant second. Ross, who was expected to stay at least several more days, held separate talks in Jerusalem with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and top Palestinian officials. In a terse statement afterward, Netanyahu's office made no reference to progress. "Israel still expects full reciprocity from the Palestinians," the statement said, without elaborating. Ross himself was cautious about forecasting any breakthrough. "I'm seeing whether or not it's possible to narrow the differences," he told reporters after briefing Israeli President Ezer Weizman. Weizman, known for his bluntness, was asked whether he was more optimistic after hearing from Ross. "No," he said. Later, the American envoy met for 3 1/2 hours with Arafat deputy Mahmoud Abbas and Palestinian parliament speaker Ahmed Qureia. "We hope to bridge the differences, but we are still at the beginning," Abbas said. Afterward, Ross headed into a separate evening session with senior Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat. After an hourlong talk, he left without speaking to reporters. Radio and television reports on earlier meetings, meanwhile, said the Israeli side was disappointed that Ross had not yet gotten detailed responses on Palestinian security responsibilities, and that Arafat told Ross the Palestinians were being unfairly blamed for the impasse. Outside the Jerusalem hotel where the talks took place, about 30 right-wing activists protested the envoy's visit, carrying signs reading "Ross Bug Off" and "No more land to Arafat." About a dozen counter-demonstrators from Peace Now waved signs saying "Save the peace process." About a dozen counter-demonstrators from the group Peace Now waved signs saying "Save the peace process." On the table is a U.S. proposal for an Israeli withdrawal from 13 percent of the West Bank and detailed provisions for Palestinian cooperation with Israel and the United States on security. A security blueprint was worked out by Israeli, Palestinian and U.S. security officials last December, but was rejected by Netanyahu as insufficient. The Palestinians initially said they would not agree to changes, but in recent days have softened their position. By LAURA KING, Associated Press Writer