4 killed in blast

By Kesava Menon

MANAMA, SEPT. 9. Three Israelis were killed and over 20 injured when a Palestinian suicide bomber blew himself up outside the Nahariya train station in northern Israel.

In retaliation, Israeli helicopter gunships blasted Palestinian targets in Jericho, Nablus and Ramallah.

Today's violence, which represents a sudden spurt in the violence after a relative and very brief lull, could delay but probably not derail the holding of a meeting between the Palestinian Authority President, Mr. Yasser Arafat, and the Israel Foreign Minister, Mr. Shimon Peres.

The suicide bomb attack took place early this morning at a train station that is usually crowded with Israeli soldiers returning to their posts after the week-end. The explosion was reported to have occurred at a shop just outside the train station.

As has become usual in the recent period spokesmen for Israel's Prime Minister, Mr. Ariel Sharon, immediately held Mr. Arafat personally responsible for the attack. The Palestinian Authority, they said, was not fulfilling their obligations under the various accords. While the Palestinian Authority has condemned violence against the innocent they also point out that the root cause for the violence lies in Israel's illegal occupation of the Palestinian territories.

With passions once again inflamed the prospects for a meeting between Mr. Peres and Mr. Arafat have received a set- back. However the patterns of violence have become so routine after nearly a year of confrontation between the two sides that the prospects for the meeting have not probably been totally obliterated unless there are more such incidents in the near future.

Both sides appear to have recognised that they have no alternative but to talk to each other and preparations have been under way for a dialogue. Mr. Arafat was expected to take a decision on the time and venue for a meeting with Mr. Peres after the conclusion of an Arab League Foreign Ministers meeting being held today.

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Section  : International
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