[Frank Sesno, Cnn Anchor:] There is new violence to report in the Middle East. An Israeli helicopter fired missiles at a van today in the West Bank, killing a senior member of Fatah, the political party associated with Palestinian Authority president Yasser Arafat. Three other people in the van were injured. Two women passersby were also killed. The Israeli defense forces says the attack was in response to recent ones by Palestinians against a site called Rachel's Tomb. Orthodox Jews today protested an Israeli military ban on an annual prayer gathering there. All of this as President Clinton prepares to meet with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat at the White House, where our Major Garrett is standing by Major.
[Major Garrett, Cnn Correspondent:] Well, good day to you, Frank. This attack does change the tone and substance of this meeting which is about to convene here at the White House within the hour. U.S. officials concede that this will further inflame Israeli and Palestinian tensions and also reinvigorate what they expect to be a very strong push from Mr. Arafat for the U.S. to support a so-called international buffer zone force to separate the Israeli defense forces from the Palestinians in the occupied territories. The U.S. has made clear it has no interest in endorsing such a concept, which will today's discussions all the more difficult. The top agenda item for the president is to encourage Mr. Arafat to do everything to he can to reduce violence, to encourage him not to respond to this latest attack and to try to implement all of the understands reached at Sharm el-Sheikh in mid-October Frank.
[Sesno:] All right, Major, thanks very much.