English/Nat

XFA

Sounding resigned to electoral failure, elder statesman Shimon Peres said on Monday that his Labour Party should consider joining forces with Ariel Sharon, if the hawkish leader unseats Prime Minister Ehud Barak.

Peres is also considering this if Sharon proves open to compromise with the Palestinians.

In an interview with A-P-T-N the former premier and Nobel laureate says if there will be a chance for the continuation of the peace process, he doesn't see any reason why not to have a national unity government.

Peres added, however, that Sharon's previous positions and his reported plans to offer the Palestinians no land beyond what they now control - about 42 percent of the West Bank and most of Gaza - was not a basis for achieving progress.

Sharon holds a commanding lead in all the polls ahead of Tuesday's election for prime minister.

Barak's short term was plagued by a divided parliament divided among small, sectorial factions and split almost evenly between hawks and doves.

Peres, a leading architect of the 1993 Oslo accords that began the peace process in earnest, criticized the Palestinian rejection of offers tabled by Barak at last July's Camp David summit in the United States and in subsequent talks.

Barak offered the Palestinians an independent state in some 95 percent of the West Bank and Gaza, including a share of Jerusalem and the dismantling of many Jewish settlements.

But they could not agree on how to share Jerusalem, and the Palestinians insisted on the right of millions of refugees to return to Israel.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think his (Barak) intentions were right. He couldn't have foreseen what the Palestinians would accept or retract, so he took a risk he went a very long way, but in fact the Palestinian side were late or blind to the offers."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Former Israeli Prime Minister

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think that if there will be a chance for the continuation of the peace process then I don't see any reason why not a national unity government. If it will be a government without a peace policy why have it in a united why. Why have it in a united way? Why have a united failure."

Q: Do you think that a peace policy might be possible with Mr Sharon?

"I really don't know, I can't speak on his behalf."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Former Israeli Prime Minister

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Well either the world will have to change or Sharon will have to change. It cannot remain as it is. The polls are showing that the support for peace in Israel did not go down. 69 percent in the polls say they are for the continuation of the peace process. So I imagine that Sharon will have to draw conclusions."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Former Israeli Prime Minister

Jerusalem - 5 February 2001

1. Set up Peres

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Former Israeli Prime Minister

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Former Israeli Prime Minister

5. Cutaway

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Former Israeli Prime Minister

7. Peres leaving

Eng/French/Nat

The former Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres has called for a new international body to help the Middle East peace process -- a kind of "political NATO".

He was speaking after a one-hour meeting with French President Jacques Chirac at the Elysee Palace in Paris.

Mr Peres also said there was an urgent need to clear up mistrust between the Israelis and the Palestinians over peace negotiations.

And in the wake of the Paris underground rail bomb last Tuesday evening, he issued a call for greater international co-operation against terrorism.

In the bright sunshine, the former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres arrived at the Elysee Palace Saturday morning.

He spent an hour inside the palace, meeting the French president, Jacques Chirac.

Mr Peres -- who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994 along with the former Israeli prime minister Yitzhak Rabin and the Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat -- said that the meeting went very well.

He told reporters waiting outside that the mistrust between Israelis and Palestinians needed to be tackled for the peace process to continue.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"There is an air of mistrust which we have to get rid of, we cannot continue with the peace process without changing the climate."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, former Israeli prime minister

He stressed there must be a common policy and co-ordination between the American and European positions on the Middle East peace process.

SOUNDBITE: (English):

"What was done in the domain of economics should be done in the domain of diplomacy. Try to co-ordinate a common policy because it's unthinkable that in the morning that somebody from Europe comes and suggests a compromise and in the afternoon somebody from America arrives. It won't take a long time and you will find the Middle East negotiating between America and Europe instead of the Americans and the Europeans negotiating there.There is a precedent for this, I think what NATO used to do militarily you need today a political NATO."

SUPERCAPTION: Shimon Peres, former Israeli prime minister

And after the Paris bomb this week, he had a few timely words to say on tackling terrorism.

SOUNDBITE: (French)

"We must develop international co-ordination to stop the threat of terrorism which has increased in many places without end."

SUPERCAPTION: Shimon Peres, former Israeli prime minister

Later, he told reporters that he believed a deal between the Palestinians and Israelis on Hebron could be made within several days.

He added that the last stumbling blocks in the negotiations were purely technical.

Hebron is the last town in the West Bank still occupied by Israeli troops. Under accords signed by the Israelis and Palestinians, Israel was to hand over Hebron to the Palestinian authority several months ago.

Elysee Palace, Paris, France, December 7, 1996

1. Wide shot of Elysee Palace

2. Close up of palace

3. Wide shot of palace, zoom to Peres and entourage arriving

4. Peres and group enter palace

5. Mid shot of interior of palace, Peres sitting with Chirac

6. Close up of Peres

7. Close up of Chirac

8. Pull out to both seated

8. Peres out of palace

9. Cut away to photographers

10. Peres and entourage leaving palace

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres

12. Cut away to reporters and photographers

13. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres

14. Cut away to media

15. SOUNDBITE: (French) Shimon Peres

16. Peres and entourage leave the palace

English/Nat

Israeli leader Shimon Peres says there's been a great deal of progress in the peace talks with Syria, currently taking place in the U-S.

The Israeli Prime Minister voiced his optimism in London, where he's been meeting his British counterpart John Major.

Major congratulated Peres for the successful handling of the Palestinian elections and spoke of the close ties between Britain and Israel.

Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres arrived at London's Downing Street on Wednesday to be greeted by the British Prime Minister John Major.

The two smiling leaders posed for pictures and shook hands before their talks.

Later they faced the media gathered in Downing Street.

SOUNDBITE:

"A word about the bilateral relations that exist between the United Kingdom and Israel. I cannot remember a time when relations were as close over a whole range of issues as they are at the present time. And I think a great deal of the credit for that goes to Prime Minister Rabin and Prime Minster Peres."

SUPER CAPTION: John Major British Prime Minister

Shimon Peres then addressed the subject of Israeli peace talks with Syria in Maryland.

SOUNDBITE:

"A great deal of progress was done the agenda is a very rich and complicated one but I am rather satisfied with the results of the meeting and I do not see any reason to become pessimistic but rather to maintain the optimism necessary for the negotiations."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres Israeli Prime Minister

As part of his two day visit to Britain, Peres will be addressing a group of legislators at the House of Commons.

London, 31st January 1996

1. External shot of 10 Downing Street

2. Car pulling up and Shimon Peres getting out

3. Shimon Peres and John Major greeting, shaking hands and going inside

4.Cutaway

5. Shimon Peres and John Major coming out and giving press conference

6. SOUNDBITE: John Major

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE: Shimon Peres

9. Final shot of crowd outside 10 Downing street

German/Eng/Nat

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres arrived in Munich Wednesday to attend an international forum on Germany's modern role in world politics.

Next month Europe celebrates the fiftieth anniversary of V-E Day, the day fighting ended in Europe. Wednesday conference focused on how Germany has rebuilt ties with it's former enemies.

Before attending the conference, Israel's Foreign Minister Shimon Peres held brief talks over lunch with Germany's Economic Minister Theo Waigel.

They discussed the future relationship of their countries.

SOUNDBITE:

I hope that Germany will play an important role in the peace process in the Middle East. Actually we already have a close relationship between Germany and Israel and I found the readiness on the part of our German friends to play an important role in bringing peace to the Middle East.

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister.

Peres spoke of the need for reconciliation.

SOUNDBITE:

The only way to compensate for the past is build a new future and that is what we are trying to do. We are not forgetting the past, trying to build a new future.

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister

Germany's Finance Minister Theo Waigel welcomed Peres to Munich.

SOUNDBITE:

It is a big honour for us that he is taking part in this forum sponsored by the Hanns Seidel Foundation and I am especially happy that this foundation is sponsoring projects in Israel, the Middle East and Gaza.

SUPER CAPTION: Theo Waigel, German Finance Minister

The forum called "Peace, Freedom, Reconciliation - A Half Century of German History" focused on Germany's relationships with it former enemies.

Discussions on the holocaust and the end of national socialism in Germany dominated the agenda of the forum.

Shimon Peres spoke on how to built a new alliance with Germany

Peres is expected to fly back to Israel on Thursday.

1. General shots of Munich

2. Hotel exterior.

3. Arrival of Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister.

4. Arrival of Theo Waigel, German Finance Minister

5. Peres and Waigel in hotel hallway.

6. SOUNDBITE: Peres

7. Cutaway

8. SOUNDBITE :Peres

9. Wide shot of Peres and Waigel.

10. SOUNDBITE: Waigel (German)

11. Handshake Peres and Waigel

12. Peres and Waigel walking down the street.

13. Interior where forum is taking place.

14. Sign with name of forum, "Peace, Freedom Reconciliation - A Half Century of German History" (In German)

15. Wide of panel.

16. Cutaway of audience.

17. Wide shot from back of hall.

English/Nat

Israel's foreign minister, Shimon Peres, has been pressing for continued US aid for his country during his visit to Washington.

He met the Republican leader of the Senate, Bob Dole, and the chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Senator Jesse Helms - who's called for a review of American aid for Israel. .

With another round of peace talks in Washington planned for this weekend, Peres told APTV that the time has come for Syria to come to the negotiating table.

Bob Dole, leader of the U-S Senate, and Senator Jesse Helms, the Senate Foreign Relations Committee chairman, were among those Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres met on Capitol Hill yesterday (Tuesday).

Peres said that he believes Israel has made great progress in international relations - and hopes that Syria can now join the peace process.

SOUNDBITE:

"We have shown on three occasions that we are capable of making peace and making compromises - with the Egyptians, with the Jordanians and with the Palestinians. We are ready for the Syrians to do likewise - and they have to move. They should keep their opening position, we shall keep our opening position and let negotiations find a common ground."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister

SOUNDBITE: "But, I think Israel had better be very careful - the United States [should] be careful to. In evaluating, let's see what happens."

SUPER CAPTION: Senator Jesse Helms, Chairman, Senate Foreign Rights Committee

SOUNDBITE:

"We have to agree with the Palestinians about a second phase, we have to add economic content to the Jordanian agreement, we have to continue and build a new middle east, economically, politically and educationally. And that's what we're going to do."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister

It was on this optimistic note that Shimon Peres left the meeting.

With more peace talks scheduled to take place in Washington this weekend, Peres is counting on continuing U-S support.

1. Photocall: Peres with Bob Dole

2. Photocall: Peres with Jesse Helms

3. SOUNDBITE: Peres

4. SOUNDBITE: Helms

5. SOUNDBITE: Peres

6. Peres walks off

English/Nat

Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres says current peace negotiations between Israel and Syria are a golden chance to find a comprehensive peace in the Middle East.

Peres, at the end of a two day visit to Britain, acknowledged there's little time to make a deal with Syria before the October 29 deadline for Israeli elections.

He also spoke about the future of Jerusalem.

Speaking at a news conference in London on Thursday, Shimon Peres described his vision for the future of Jerusalem.

SOUNDBITE:

Jerusalem will remain religiously open and politically closed. In order to make Jerusalem open to all believers we don't have to cut the city in parts - we don't have to make Jerusalem into a sort of a Berlin.

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Prime Minister of Israel

Peres was, however, optimistic on the outcome of peace negotiations with Syria.

SOUNDBITE:

I think it is only a matter of time before we shall have peace with Syria and Lebanon.

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Prime Minister of Israel

He added that Yitzhak Rabin's assassination has been a great loss to him personally and Israel as a whole.

SOUNDBITE:

Well you know what I have learned after the assassination is that two people are so many and one person is so little. Clearly when we were the two of us we could have worked together much more assuringly. Rabin was leading and I was participating and we worked in a most agreeable conditions.

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Prime Minister of Israel

Time is running out to deal with Syria, but Peres said he believed Israeli voters will accept ceding the Golan Heights - Syria's main demand - if there is a secure deal over the frontiers between the two countries and protection of water supplies.

London, United Kingdom, 1 February 1996

1. Peres arrives to presser

2. SOUNDBITE: Peres

3. Cutaway press

4. SOUNDBITE: Peres

5. Cutaway press

6. SOUNDBITE: Peres

7. MS presser

8. WS presser

9. Peres leaves presser

English/Nat

Israeli foreign minister Shimon Peres said on Tuesday that it is time for both Israelis and Palestinians to stop the shooting and to start talking.

Peres said that it is agreed with the two sides that written agreements must be fulfilled, and he hopes that after Ariel Sharon's visit to the US the violence will stop and negotiations will resume.

Meanwhile in the Knesset, army chief of staff Shaul Mofaz briefed the foreign defence committee on the latest developments in the West Bank and Gaza.

At least seven Palestinians and two Israeli soldiers were wounded in a series of overnight shootings in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Mofaz briefed the committee on the night's events, which took place despite the resumption of security contacts between the two sides.

Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, who was scheduled to meet later Tuesday with U-S President George W. Bush in Washington, said on Sunday that senior Israeli and Palestinian security officials were meeting in a bid to reduce nearly six months of fighting.

However, renewed violence that lasted into the early hours of Tuesday morning has included the most serious attacks against Israeli targets since Sharon came to power two weeks ago.

In violence on Monday, Palestinian attackers killed a Jewish motorist in a drive-by shooting and, in a separate incident, an Israeli security officer was killed at a kibbutz, where 60 automatic rifles were stolen.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"Instead of talking there is shooting. I think the sooner the shooting will stop the talking will begin will the better for the two sides"

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli foreign minister

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"In the guiding lines of the present government there is an article that says that Israel will respect all the agreements that were achieved and signed between the two sides provided they are respected by the two sides. I don't suggest that one sided implementation but those are binding agreements and they should be implemented by all parties."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli foreign minister

Jerusalem, 20 march 2001

1. Cutaway

2. Shimon Peres, Israeli foreign minister walking

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli foreign minister

4. Cutaway

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli foreign minister

6. Peres walking away

The Knesset

7. Shaul Mofaz, Israeli army chief of staff walking

8. Mofaz entering room of foreign defence committee

9. Long shot committee sitting

10. Close Mofaz sitting

11. Various of committee meeting

Eng/Spanish/Nat

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres has visited Argentina amid continuing fears that Islamic extremists may be planning terror attacks against Israeli targets in the country.

Peres' visit Friday comes a day after an Argentine judge ordered the arrest of a second suspect in connection with a bomb which killed 95 people at a Jewish Community Centre in Buenos Aires last July.

Despite reports that the Israelis fear further attacks against Jewish targets in Argentina, Peres' meeting with President Carlos Menem was clearly cordial.

In an impromptu move before Peres took the podium, Menem called Spanish President Felipe Gonzalez to express Argentine solidarity with him as his government faces charges of supporting a dirty war against Basque terrorists.

SOUNDBITE:

"That's what I was calling you for. To send you my wholehearted solidarity and to invite you to visit me in Argentina. I know you are going to sort this problem out very quickly. I'm here with the Israeli Foreign Minister at my side. He sends his best regards and wishes you the same."

SUPER CAPTION: Carlos Menem, President of Argentina

Peres advised Argentina to keep its nerve in dealing with suspected Islamic terrorists responsible for two major attacks on Jewish targets in Argentina.

SOUNDBITE:

"You know that I am an old client in the business of terror. And may I say two things. Clearly terrorism carries a certain danger. The greatest danger is to exaggerate terrorists' strength. They are not as perfect as they claim. And they are not as immune as other people may think."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister

An estimated 95 people died and more than 200 were injured in a July bombing attack on the Argentine Jewish Mutual Association (AMIA). A bombing in March 1992 destroyed the Israeli Embassy, killing approximately 29.

Menem made a recent trip to Syria to add his weight to the current Israeli-Palestinian peace process.

Peres applauded the Argentine president for his concern with Middle Eastern matters.

SOUNDBITE:

"He is showing a deep interest. He is trying to be of help. And I do hope that this will remain the case in the future."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister

Argentineans have a very real interest in the success of the Middle East peace process.

They hope that lasting peace between Israelis and Palestinians will mean an end to the bombings that have caused so much pain to their own large Jewish population.

1. Shimon Peres arrives with Carlos Menem

2. Press photographers

3. W/s of Peres and Menem, zoom in to handshake

4. Pressmen

5. SOT: Menem talking on telephone to Spanish Prime Minister Felipe Gonzalez

6. Peres walks to podium

7. SOT: Peres

8. Destruction to AMIA centre in Buenos Aires

9. Mourners at AMIA centre

10. Lighting candles

11. SOT: Peres

12. Mourners at AMIA centre

SHOTLIST:

1. Shimon Peres and Russian Foreign minister Igor Ivanov enter the hall

2. Media

3. Pull out from talks around table

4. Peres

5. Pan of the talks

6. Russian Foreign ministry emblem

7. Peres and Ivanov come out for press conference

8. Media

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister (with Russian translation): "The Mitchell document creates an opportunity for peace negotiations. The document proposes the sequence of actions which is accepted by us. And with crystallisation of the world public opinion and others concerned we could back to peace negotiations"

10. Media

11. SOUNDBITE (Russian) Igor Ivanov, Russian Foreign Minister: "Russia is ready to support any initiative accepted by the Israeli and Palestinian sides that would lead to cessation of violence and restarting the peace process"

12. Pan press conference

13. SOUNDBITE (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister: "We asked the Palestinian authorities, first of all, to discipline their forces because some of the Palestinian forces participate in the shooting and the killing."

14. Kremlin exteriors

15. Russian President Vladimir Putin greets Peres

16. Media cutaway

17. Wide shot talks at table

18. SOUNDBITE: (Russian) Vladimir Putin, Russian President: "We are especially happy to see you here, the man who is known in our country and in the whole world as a man who wants to bring peace to the Middle East and has done a lot personally to bring it about."

19. Wide shot talks

20. Peres

21. Wide shot talks

22. Media

23. Kremlin exteriors

STORYLINE:

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres, who is visiting Moscow, has defended the latest Israeli raids against Palestinian targets, saying they were aimed against a mortar factory in particular and terrorism in general.

In a bid to lobby Russian officials for support, Peres met with Russian President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Igor Ivanov and the patriarch of Russia's Orthodox Church, Alexy II.

At the start of Peres' talks with the Russian president in the Kremlin, Putin expressed concern about Russian visitors to Israel caught in violence, and urged peace negotiations.

Speaking at the press conference after a meeting with his Russian counterpart Igor Ivanov, Peres praised the proposals put forward by an international commission headed by former U-S Senator George Mitchell to end almost eight months of violence.

Peres urged Russia and the United States to join their efforts as co-sponsors of the Mideast peace process to encourage face-to-face talks between the Israelis and Palestinians.

In turn, Ivanov said that Russia is ready to support any political initiative helping to establish peace in the Middle East.

Russia has played a small role in the Mideast peace process, compared with the United States.

Moscow has developed friendly relations with Israel after decades of animosity, but has largely lost its former clout with the Palestinians and other Soviet-era allies in the Arab world.

Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto on Wednesday officially welcomed Israel's president, who is visiting the country for six days.

Shimon Peres attended a ceremony at the Los Pinos presidential residence in Mexico City on the second day of his trip.

The aim of Peres' visit is to strengthen and broaden diplomatic, economic and cultural ties between the two countries.

During a joint news conference, Peres said he was "very glad" that peace negotiations with Palestinians had resumed.

"And we believe that we are really determined to wind it up," he said.

Peres added: "The Middle East will prosper if we embrace the potential of the new age."

"Right now the region is going through a transitional period. Transition is not a happy experience, but it is also an opportunity."

During his stay, Peres will also take part in the first Israel-Mexico Business Conference, which he will open with Pena Nieto and Carlos Slim, the richest man in Mexico, local media reported.

Peres will also visit the Mexican Senate, where he will hold a meeting with a committee and take part in the opening of a session.

AP TELEVISION

1. Tracking shot of Israeli President Shimon Peres walking with Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto at official welcoming ceremony at Los Pinos presidential residence

2. Various of Peres and Pena Nieto

3. Cutaway of media

4. Mid of Pena Nieto introducing members of his administration to Peres

5. Various of Pena Nieto and Peres walking past honour guard

6. Wide of Peres and Pena Nieto at joint news conference

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, President of Israel:

"And now, we are very glad that peace negotiations were restored between us and the Palestinians. And we believe that we are really determined to wind it up."

8. Cutaway of cameraman

9. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, President of Israel:

"The Middle East will prosper if it will embrace the potential of the new age. Right now the region is going through a transitional period. Transition is not a happy experience, but it is also an opportunity."

10. Wide of Peres and Pena Nieto shaking hands

11. Mid of audience

12. Mid of Peres and Pena Nieto signing documents and exchanging them, applause

SHOTLIST:

1. Mid view of Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres arriving at U.S. State Department.

2. Mid view of people at State Department.

3. Wide view of U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell and Peres outside State Department.

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister. "Israel is determined to bring an end to the violence and to bring a beginning to peace. Actually we would like to stop violence as soon as possible because we are interested to start negotiation at the earliest possible date. We see eye to eye with the American position. Standing against terror by anybody, not just the Palestinians. We are not fighting the Palestinians we are fighting terror."

5. Mid view of U.S. and Israeli officials.

6. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister. "We have to learn from our own mistakes. Previously we put too much attention to the print and too little attention to the deeds. This time we have to emphasize the implementation, not just the definition of words. And then we told the Jordanians and the Palestinians that we are seriously and sincerely anxious to reenter the negotiation, provided the bombing and the shooting and the fire will stop."

7. Mid view of people at State Department.

8. SOUNDBITE: (English) Colin Powell, U.S. Secretary of State. "We have security coordination going on between the two sides at several levels hosted by the United States. And I think once the violence level goes down more will be forthcoming from the Israeli side."

9. Wide view of Powell and Peres.

10. Mid view of people listenting to Powell and Peres.

11. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister. "They know that once the violence will stop the negotiations will be started. And then we have announced unilaterally that we are going to change our policies on the West Bank to enable people to return to normal life to facilitate their economy, their social life. We don't want to the Palestinians suffer unduly because of terror."

12. Close view of Powell and Peres

STORYLINE:

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres offered the Palestinians hopes for concessions and an overall peace accord during talks with the Bush administration this week in Washington.

Peres' meetings with Secretary of State Colin Powell on Wednesday and President George W. Bush on Thursday could set the stage for a resumption of negotiations provided seven months of violence ends.

Peres also said Israeli officials were moving to ease restrictions for Palestinian movements in the West Bank.

Peres is the architect of agreements with the Palestinians that have given them control of 40 percent of the West Bank and most of Gaza.

Before and after his meeting with Powell, he took a dovish stance on virtually all fronts.

He says Israel is ready to make compromises once negotiations with the Palestinians are resumed.

His comments on demands for an end to violence echo those of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon this week.

And US Secretary of State Colin Powell also echoed the view that all violence must end before a renewal of peace talks could take place.

The Peres visit to Washington comes after recent meetings with officials from Jordan and Egypt, as leaders in the region are looking for ways to ease tensions.

The Qatari Foreign Minister, Hamad bin Jasim al Thani, also said he was meeting in Washington with Peres, hoping to encourage a return to the peace track.

English/Nat

Israeli elder statesman Shimon Peres said on Tuesday that, despite the deteriorating situation between Israelis and Palestinians, he does not believe that prospects for peace are dead.

The former Nobel Peace Prize winner said the current situation offers no other alternative but to return to the negotiating table.

Peres was speaking after a working lunch in Paris with French National Assembly President Raymond Forni and a group of lawmakers.

More than two hundred and-45, mainly Palestinians, have been killed in fighting in Israel and Palestinian territories since late September.

Peres is in France ahead of a trip by a French parliamentary delegation to Jerusalem, Ramallah and Bethlehem.

The group, led by two members of the parliament's leftist majority and including two lawmakers from the opposition, is to meet with members of the Israeli Knesset and the Palestinian Legislative Council.

They are due to leave Wednesday and return on Saturday.

Shimon Peres was also asked about his response to Egypt's withdrawal on Tuesday of its ambassador to Israel.

He pointed out Egypt's important mediating role in the Middle East peace process and said good relations with Egypt will serve all parties on the road to peace.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"From what I know and what I think nobody gains because of the violence. It offers no other alternative but to return to the negotiating table. I know it sounds unrealistic but there is the belief that underneath the confrontation and the blood and the chagrin and the sorrow there is an alternative - a return to peace."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Former Israeli Prime Minister

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"And good relations with Egypt will serve all parties on the road to peace rather than the interruption of those relations. I think Egypt played a role in making peace, in keeping peace, and I hope that she will continue to do so."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Former Israeli Prime Minister

Paris, France - 21 November 2000

1. Cutaway shot of press

2. Wide view of Peres speaking

3. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Former Israeli Prime Minister

4. Cutaway

5. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Former Israeli Prime Minister

6. Exterior of French National Assembly

7. Close-up shot of man at window

English/Nat

The U-S has told Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres it will assist him in seeking peace, saying there was a new opportunity to move towards peace between Israel and Syria.

Secretary of State Warren Christopher is to travel to the Middle East later this week to try to reopen negotiations on the Syrian front.

Peres met President Clinton and senior administration officials during his first visit to the U-S since the assassination of Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin.

After his talks with President Clinton, Shimon Peres lead a procession of Israeli officials to America's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

It was just one of many important gestures Peres would made Monday during his first visit to the U-S since the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin.

Like other Israeli leaders, Peres seeks to maintain the close tie with America.

He did get assurances from Clinton that the U-S would help Israel minimise risks taken for peace.

Even with that pledge, Peres made it clear that Israel would not risk peace with Syria - by giving up the Golan Heights - before they knew for sure what Syria was willing to give in return.

SOUNDBITE:

No we are not negotiating a mountain. We are negotiating a peace. In the peace prospect you have a mountain, but that is not the only existing phenomenon. And I think that what we have ready to discuss right now is that overall picture.

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli Prime Minister

Peres and other Israeli's recognise this is a critical time in the peace process - a window of opportunity that may never come again.

SOUNDBITE:

Now we'll come to the real test. Shimon Peres has very high credibility, of being a man of peace, with whom Assad can work together. And we have to hope for a partnership between Assad, Peres and Clinton, to change the future of the region. I would say that after today I'm slightly more optimistic that this will happen.

SUPER CAPTION: Uri Savir, Israeli Foreign Ministry official and peace negotiator

But even for peace, there are still touchy issues on which the Peres government will not budge.

SOUNDBITE:

The Congress, really representing the people of the United States, felt what we feel, that Jerusalem always was only the capital of Israel, of the Jews, of no other religion, that it should be free for worship of people of all religions, and that it should be recognised for what it is, the capital of the state of Israel.

SUPER CAPTION: Uri Savir, Israeli Foreign Ministry official and peace negotiator

Peres is due to give a speech to a joint meeting of the two houses of the U-S Congress later on Tuesday.

Washington, 11 December 1995

1. Peres arriving at Tomb of Unknown Soldier.

2. View of tomb.

3. Peres laying wreath at tomb.

4. Israeli delegation.

5. Peres at tomb.

6. Peres and Perry

7. SOUNDBITE Peres.

8. Cutaway

9. Uri Savir.

10. SOUNDBITE: Savir.

11. Peres-Clinton news conference.

12. SOUNDBITE Savir.

13. Peres-Clinton photo opportunity (US Pool)

English/Nat

After two days of mourning, foreign minister Shimon Peres has taken up his duties as acting prime minister of Israel.

Peres left for work this morning at the prime minister's office in Jerusalem surrounded by bodyguards.

It was Shimon Peres' first day at work as Acting Prime Minister Tuesday.

Security has been stepped up around the former Foreign Minister after a number of death threats.

Such threats are being taken extremely seriously by a twitchy Security Service after a 25-year-old law student, Yigal Amir, broke through security ranks to shoot Yitzhak Rabin.

Rabin was the first head of state to be assassinated in Israel and to many his killing has marked the beginning of a new era.

Throughout the morning, Peres was visited by international heads-of-state who not only offered their condolences but messages of hope and support for the future.

Fear is mounting over the effect the recent assassination will have over the already shaky peace process.

Britain's Prime Minister John Major spent some time with Peres.

Afterwards, Peres told the press his top concern remained the peace process -- and elections came second.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"For us the main consideration is the peace process and not the term of the government. I said yesterday and I will repeat it again - for us to win peace is more important even than to win the elections."

QUESTION : "So you won't go to elections now?"

ANSWER: "I shall continue with the process of peace as we have started and we shall go on."

SUPERCAPTION: Shimon Peres acting prime minister.

Australia's President Paul Keating spent several minutes with Peres.

And Crown Prince Hassan of Jordan met the Israeli President.

The presence of so many Arab leaders has given rise to hopes that the peace Rabin was so instrumental in negotiating may have changed politics in the region for good.

But although Peres went back to work, mourning is far from over for the rest of the nation.

At the site of the assassination - Tel Aviv's Kikar Malkei square- thousands of mourning candles burnt brightly in the early morning sun.

Scores of Israeli's continue to stop and pay their respects to their fallen leader.

Some write notes - others leave flowers and wreaths. Some simply cry.

VOXPOP: (English)

"I still can't believe what has happened and that we can get back to the same everyday life. Rabin is dead and I still can't believe what is going on here and what is going to happen afterwards"

SUPERCAPTION : Naomi, student from Jerusalem

Israel had closed the Gaza strip and West Bank after the assassination fearing attacks by Islamic militants.

But some people Tuesday were being allowed through the strict security controls. Men over 35 had to show passes.

In a country which has lived with violence since its birth, Rabin's killing has merely added to the sense of insecurity.

Jerusalem, Israel. 7 November 1995

1. Bodyguard

2. Various of Peres getting in car and leaving for work

3. Exterior of prime minister's office

4. Cutaway of cameraman

5. Peres and Major exiting

6. SOUNDBITE: Peres

7. Peres with Australian Prime Minister Paul Keating

8. Peres on sofa with Keating

9. Peres talking on phone to Irish Prime Minister John Bruton

11. Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan arrives at President's building

12. Hassan on chair

Tel Aviv 7 November 1995

7. Various of mourners

8. Various of Kikar Malkei square and flowers and wreaths

Jerusalem 7 November 1995

10. VOXPOP: (English)

Erez junction, Gaza strip 7 November 1995

12. Trucks lined up at the junction

13. Palestinians waiting

14. Soldier on guard

15. Israeli soldiers checking I-D documents

16. Cars driving through check point

17. Soldiers with guns

SHOTLIST:

1. Opposition Labour Party leader Shimon Peres' car stops at entrance to Champs Elysees palace

2. Peres shakes hands with French President Jaques Chirac

3. Peres and Chirac walk into palace

4. Various of Peres and Chirac shaking hands for photo opportunity

5. Peres and Chirac walk out of palace

6. Chirac shakes hands with Peres' colleagues

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Labour Party leader

"We had a good talk about what should be done in order to re-open the peace process. I mentioned it (road map). I said that every plan must have two considerations: one is with our other party the Palestinians, and the other is with our own people, because if you give you everything to the Palestinians you will lose the majority of your home. And since we have a plan which is accepted by the Palestinians, by the Israelis, and by the rest of the world, the road map, I wouldn't change it for something that may become controversial. I have nothing against the proposal, but if we have something in hand for the first time that all parties agreed upon, why give it up and why start again negotiations? Because the situation is already loaded and heavy and better to invest more energy move the road map than energy to develop another road map. That would be my position. I have nothing against it, but I think it's wiser to take something that created an agreement than start again to negotiate another agreement which I am not sure we will agree on."

8. Peres and colleagues get into car

STORYLINE:

Israeli opposition Labour Party leader Shimon Peres met with French President Jaques Chirac in Paris on Thursday.

After talks with Chirac Peres, who is 80 years old, told reporters he believed the road map remained the best way forward in revitalising the Middle East peace process.

He said it would be "wiser" to return to the road map than "start again to negotiate another agreement which I am not sure we will agree on."

Shimon Peres is best known abroad as an architect of Israel's Oslo peace accords with the Palestinians, for which he shared the Nobel Peace Prize in 1994.

SHOTLIST:

1.Various of Indian Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee and Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres at photo opportunity

2. Wide of news conference

3. Cutaway press

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister:

"They (Pakistan) must make sure that they do not permit any hiding of terror or terrorists. By the way, what Bush is saying to the Pakistanis he's also saying to the Palestinians, and I think India too would like to be convinced that there is no harbouring of any terror, terrorists or acts of terror."

5. Cutaway cameraman

6. Various of Peres with Indian Defence Minister George Fernandes

7. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister:

"And every country today must decide (to) which part of the world does it belong. I think all of a sudden the conflict between the Palestinians and ourselves entered a new area, where the Palestinian leadership has to decide clearly on which side they are. They cannot be on both sides. Maybe very similar to your own situation. You cannot be against terror in one place and closing your eyes to terror in another place."

8. Peres shaking hands with Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh

9. Cutaway security

10. SOUNDBITE: (English) Jaswant Singh, Indian Foreign Minister:

"I'm against terrorism. There cannot simply be either double standards or any compromise."

11. Cutaway press

12. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister:

"In every way that we can be of help and support we shall do it full heartedly, because we feel a closeness and a similarity with our situations."

13. Singh and Peres walk away

STORYLINE:

Israel's Foreign Minister told Indian leaders on Tuesday they should enter talks with Pakistan to ease a crisis that has the neighbours on the brink of war.

Meeting journalists after his private session with Indian Foreign Minister Jaswant Singh, Shimon Peres said there could be no compromises in the battle against their common problem of terrorism - which struck India recently with deadly attacks on the state assembly in Kashmir and then on the Parliament in New Delhi.

India blames Pakistan, and the nuclear-armed rivals have massed tens of thousands of troops along their 1,800-kilometre (1,100-mile) border.

Peres said Israel was ready "in every way to help and support India" in its fight terrorism, but he declined to elaborate on what Israel might do.

He said an alliance between countries against terrorism could not become an alliance against any religion.

In the cases of both Israel and India, the terrorist groups they are fighting are Muslim.

Peres said the world was no longer divided between East and West or North and South but between countries that condemn terror and those which condone it.

Peres, who also met Prime Minister Atal Bihari Vajpayee on Tuesday, later left for the southern Indian software technology hub of Bangalore.

Last week, a joint commission to combat terrorism set up by India and Israel met in Tel Aviv to share perspectives on regional security and challenges to peace.

The commission was established in July 2000.

Although India was among the first countries to recognise Israel when it was formed in 1948, relations cooled when New Delhi supported the Palestinian cause.

Diplomatic ties between the two countries were only established in 1992.

India and Israel have moved closer since Vajpayee's right-wing Bharatiya Janata Party was elected to head the government in 1998.

The last two years have seen a series of high-level visits by both sides.

The Indian and Israeli defence forces have also increased their cooperation, with Israel emerging as an important arms supplier to India.

Trade between the two countries crossed the one (b) billion (US) dollar mark in 2001.

English/Nat

British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind met Israel's acting prime minister Shimon Peres on Thursday, a day after securing a commitment to Middle East peace from Syrian leaders in Damascus.

The two men met in an atmosphere of heightened security in the wake of the assassination on Saturday of prime minister Yitzhak Rabin.

Mr Rifkind reiterated Britain's commitment towards achieving peace in the Middle East.

British Foreign Secretary Malcolm Rifkind, met with acting Israeli Prime Minister, Shimon Peres in Jerusalem Thursday as part of his continuing middle east tour..

They discussed a range of issues, including the development of commercial interests between Britain and Israel.

Peres thanked the British government for its support during this critical time in Israel's history, and reasserted his commitment to the peace process.

SOUNDBITE:

"We appreciate very much the two visits we have had this week from Great Britain the Prime Minister, Mr Major, who came to participate in the funeral of the late Prime Minister Rabin and told the Prime Minister that we appreciate very much this expression of support and understanding at a very trying time for Israel, and I am very glad that the Foreign Minister of Great Britain who made a tour of the Middle East was able to pay a visit to Israel, we were in a position to compare notes. I told the Foreign Minister that we are decided to go ahead with the peace process in spite of the tragic event, and maybe even more so because that was clearly the will of Prime Minister Rabin. Basically our relations with Great Britain are in a good shape. An economic content was added to it and is being developed in a very positive manner, and we intend to cooperate in the future as well. Thank you."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres - acting Prime Minister of Israel

Rifkind who's on a regional tour, flew in from Saudi Arabia where he'd also held talks with Syrian leaders.

The British Foreign Secretary reiterated his government's desire to kick start Syria's stalled peace talks with Israel.

SOUNDBITE:

"Thank you, I am pleased to have this opportunity to meet acting Prime Minister Mr Peres, we are very conscious of the fact that this is a very sad and melancholy week for Israel but one is conscious the Israeli government are looking to the future, having just returned from Damascus, it was a useful opportunity to discuss with Mr Peres the situation with regard to the view that have been expressed in Syria, the possibilities of progress with regard to matters of that kind and also to hear Mr Peres' views on the wider issues involving the peace process. The United Kingdom is very supportive of the peace process, we give total and unequivocal support, I am latter today going to see Chairman Arafat in Gaza and we welcome very much the work that he is doing and taking forward what is the historic process towards the result which will be of great importance to all the people of the Middle-East. Thank you."

SUPER CAPTION: Malcolm Rifkind - British Foreign Minister

Rifkind and Peres met in an atmosphere of heightened security in the wake of Yitzhak Rabin's assassination.

The British Foreign Secretary was hopeful a new initiative to achieve progress in the peace process could come out of the tragic killing of the Israeli premier.

Jerusalem, Israel - 9 November 1995.

1. Shimon Peres and Malcolm Rifkind walking towards press.

2. Cutaway cameraman.

3. SOUNDBITE: Shimon Peres - Acting Israeli Prime Minister.

4. SOUNDBITE: Malcolm Rifkind - British Foreign Secretary

5. Peres and Rifkind walking away after talking to press.

English/Nat

Former Israeli prime minister Shimon Peres has paid tribute to the Moroccan king Hassan ll, saying he contributed much to the Middle East peace process.

King Hassan II, who ruled his North African country for 38 years, died on Friday of a heart attack.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"I think he was a unique leader. You couldn't be mistaken about him - that he was a king he was a leader, that he knew what he wanted to achieve, that he was bound by a very strong tradition but was flying to a very high target. For almost 40 years he was one of the most outstanding leaders in the Middle East and all told was a positive contribution. We shall remember what he did and we shall miss his personality in the future."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister

Peres said Hassan was a moderate Arab who formed a diplomatic bridge between the Western and Arab governments.

SOUNDBITE: (English)

"He worked tirelessly to arrange a contact, a meeting between the P-L-O and ourselves. I have been to his country many times - basically on a secret visit because he did not want to reveal ahead of time. I met with Chairman Arafat in Morocco in a time of crisis and he (the king) arrived at our negotiations and played an extremely useful role in it remembering his natural authority and his special position in the Muslim and Arab world."

SUPER CAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister

Hassan ignored regional taboos to help bring about the 1979 peace treaty between Israel and Egypt.

Palestinian President Yasser Arafat has decreed a three-day mourning period in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.

Tel Aviv, Israel - 24 July 1999

1. Wide shot of Shimon Peres, Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister

2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister

3. Cutaway

4. SOUNDBITE: (English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Regional Cooperation Minister

5. Peres walking away

English/Nat

Shimon Peres was officially confirmed and sworn in as Prime Minister of Israel in Jerusalem on Wednesday along with the rest of his cabinet.

The former Foreign Minister, who will also take on the post of Defence Minister, had been appointed acting Prime Minister just hours after the assassination of Yitzhak Rabin.

On Wednesday, he said he would seek a broader dialogue with Israelis opposed to his government's policies -- and crack down on Jewish militants.

Few doubted that Peres would not be confirmed after he won unanimous endorsement from the Labor Party central committee on Tuesday night.

In addition to the portfolio of Prime Minister, Shimon Peres will also be defence minister in the new government that gained an easy approval from the 120-member Knesset.

His most significant appointment was former army general Ehud Barak as Foreign Minister - a move which may counter those who see Peres as too liberal.

SOUNDBITE:

"In a way it is a learning experience, because in the past 15 years I had quite few opportunities to be very close in contact with intimate diplomatic contacts."

SUPER CAPTION: Ehud Barak, Israeli Foreign Minister.

Peres vowed to continue the course he has already set of aggressively pursuing the peace process.

SOUNDBITE:

"We shall continue our policy of peace, continue our economy policy and try to bring an end of violence to a united nation."

SUPERCAPTION: Shimon Peres, Israeli Prime Minister.

In a show of unity following Rabin's assassination, Peres' new government was approved by a wide margin of 62 to eight with 38 abstentions.

Peres's new coalition consists of 44 seats for his Labor party, 12 seats for the dovish Meretz bloc and two members of a breakaway right-wing faction. He also has support from Arab members, giving him a majority in the Knesset.

The opposition leader Benjamin Netanyahu sharply attacked Peres in the Knesset, but his Palestinian partners were quick to offer support.

SOUNDBITE:

"We see a lot of continuity in this cabinet, we feel it will become the partner with the Palestinian authority."

SUPERCAPTION: Nabil Shaath, Palestinian Minister of Planning and Cooperation.

Peres said he would seek a broader dialogue with Israelis opposed to the government's policies, but would crack down on Jewish militants.

He also urged Syria to speed up negotiations.

Peres has hinted in the past that he was ready to accept Syrian demands for a complete Israeli withdrawal from the Golan Heights.

(Tel Aviv, 22 November 1995)

1. Exterior of Knesset.

2. Interior of parliament rooms.

3. Cabinet seated with Peres.

4. Ehud Barak, new Foreign Minister, walking in corridor.

5. SOUNDBITE: Barak.

6. Various of ministers in corridors.

7. SOUNDBITE: Peres.

8. Various Voting.

9. Peres being sworn in.

10. SOUNDBITE: Nabil Shaath, Palestinian Minister of Planning and Cooperation

11. Various group cabinet picture with President.

SHOTLIST:

1. Exterior of Peres's office

2. Peres walking through corridor

3. SOUNDBITE:(English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister:

"I have the right to meet every person and I think including Chairman Arafat. There are no restrictions.

(Q: Are you in contact with Palestinians and Chairman Arafat ?)

"I am all the time in contact with Palestinians, it is an on-going relationship which I want to intensify, and I shall do it in the days to come."

4. Cutaway hands

5. SOUNDBITE:(English) Shimon Peres, Israeli Foreign Minister:

"You know it is not that we woke up one morning and we decided to change the nature of the Orient. It was a terrible act of terror in Jerusalem. And we have to tell the people who are responsible for it 'Stop it'. We could do it by killing people, we could do it by by signalling to them that they may pay heavily in political terms. They will continue to do so. So in our retaliation nobody was killed. But signals, serious signals were given to the Palestinians."

6. Profile shot of Peres seating on the chair

STORYLINE:

Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres said on Monday that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon has imposed no restrictions on a resumption of contacts with senior Palestinian officials, including Yasser Arafat.

On Sunday, Sharon gave Peres permission to resume truce talks, despite two suicide bombings by Islamic militants over four days.

However, Israeli officials said Monday that a Peres-Arafat meeting would require special approval.

Peres said he was given free rein.

"I have the right to meet every person I think I have to, including Chairman Arafat," Peres told The Associated Press in an interview.

The foreign minister, the architect of several interim peace deals with the Palestinians in the 1990s, would not say whether he has already established contact with Palestinian officials.

Peres gave his qualified support to Israel's takeover of the unofficial Palestinian headquarters in traditionally Arab east Jerusalem last week.

The raid of the Orient House building came in response to a suicide bombing that killed 16 people, including the bomber.

Israeli media reported that in a special Cabinet meeting held just hours after the attack, Peres argued against seizing the headquarters.

Peres would not say on Monday how he voted in the Cabinet meeting.

"In our retaliation (for the attack) no one was killed," he said.