More Middle East attacks ahead of talks

JERUSALEM - Palestinians gunned down an Israeli motorist in the West Bank yesterday on the eve of security talks mediated by the United States.

In the Gaza Strip, Palestinian police said an Israeli tank wounded five policemen when it fired three shells at their post near the Jewish settlement of Netzarim.

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat agreed to send representatives to the US-hosted meetings after a second round of talks yesterday with new US Middle East envoy William Burns. Burns met Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon later.



The two sides have held security talks from time to time since the Palestinian uprising against Israeli occupation erupted in September but they have failed to end the violence.

Burns was trying to convince the sides to adopt the recommendations of an international committee led by former US Senator George Mitchell .

An Israeli official said today's meeting would deal with West Bank violence and tomorrow's would focus on the Gaza Strip. Israel occupied both areas - which Palestinians want for a state - in the 1967 Middle East war.

- REUTERS

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