Path: bloom-picayune.mit.edu!snorkelwacker.mit.edu!americast.com!americast.com!americast-post Newsgroups: americast.twt.news From: americast-post@AmeriCast.Com Organization: American Cybercasting Approved: americast-post@AmeriCast.com Subject: Violence in Mideast hurts peace talks Date: Tue, 10 Nov 92 15:13:22 EST Message-ID: \SE A;WORLD \HD Violence in Mideast hurts peace talks \BY Martin Sieff \CR THE WASHINGTON TIMES The latest wave of Middle East violence spread its shadow over the resumption of the Israel-Arab peace talks here yesterday. The first session of Israel-Lebanon talks broke up amid mutual accusations after only a half-hour. "Terrorists cannot be allowed to operate with impunity," warned Israeli negotiator Uri Lubrani. "If there is not security and quiet on our side of the border, there will be no quiet for you either. Then, you also will not be able to live normally." The tough talk came a day after Iranian-backed Hezbollah forces fired rockets that exploded harmlessly in Israel's self-styled "security zone" in southern Lebanon. More Katyusha multiple-launch rockets fell without effect last night in southern Lebanon, and this time also in the Galilee region of northern Israel. Israeli TV quoted unnamed army officials as threatening an escalation - which could mean a ground incursion or heavy bombing raids. Iran and Hezbollah have vowed to wreck the peace process, launched a year ago under U.S. and Russian sponsorship. Violence erupts in southern Lebanon almost every time talks resume. Souhel Chammas, the chief Lebanese delegate to the peace talks, said Sunday's Hezbollah rocket attacks were retaliation against an Israeli air raid on a village in the Bekaa Valley that killed four Lebanese. "The Lebanese blood which was lost is very, very dear to us. It is Lebanese blood which was spilled on Lebanese territory and the dead are Lebanese citizens in good standing," Mr. Chammas said. The resumption of talks with Syria sounded strained, too. Israeli spokesman Yossi Gal served notice that Israel would not consider returning any of the Golan Heights to Syria until Damascus indicates what kind of a peace Israel can expect in return. "We will not discuss the location of borders as long as Syria does not clearly address itself to the nature . . . of the proposed peaceful relations between us," Mr. Gal said. "The ball is now in Syria's court. They cannot expect us to commit to a price before we have even been allowed to see the merchandise." Only with Jordan did the talks appear to make progress. Chief Jordanian delegate Abdul-Salam Majali said the two sides were very close to agreeing on an agenda and there were no real problems between them. Israeli diplomats echoed this optimism. Mr. Gal said the two sides would begin substantive discussions on water issues. All parties appeared determined to continue the peace talks through the presidential transition, and President-elect Bill Clinton made clear his support for this approach in a telephone conversation with Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin from his home in Little Rock, Ark. Mr. Clinton told the Israeli leader he hoped the peace talks would continue "without any slowdown" during the transition, said his spokesman George Stephanopoulos. Mr. Clinton also promised he "would work closely with Mr. Rabin immediately upon taking office to achieve the joint goal" of peace in the region, said an Israeli statement. Administration sources said White House Chief of Staff James A. Baker III would like to end his service in the Bush administration by returning to the Middle East talks, which he helped initiate when he was secretary of state. * This article is based in part on wire service reports. This article is copyright 1992 The Washington Times. Redistribution to other sites is not permitted except by arrangement with American Cybercasting Corporation. For more information, send-email to usa@AmeriCast.COM