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CNN Saturday Morning News

Israel Destroys Main Palestinian Broadcast Center

Aired January 19, 2002 - 11:14   ET

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.

THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
CATHERINE CALLAWAY, CNN ANCHOR: Palestinian radio and television are back on the air, but broadcasting from makeshift studios now, because earlier today Israeli troops destroyed the main Palestinian broadcast center in the West Bank, and CNN's Rula Amin is in Ramallah. She brings us up to date now.

(BEGIN VIDEOTAPE)

RULA AMIN, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Last Friday night, Israeli tanks surrounded the Palestinian TV and Radio Building. The soldiers laid explosive charges in the studios of the Palestinian TV and Radio. Just before dawn, Israeli soldiers detonated the charges, after evacuating all those inside. Hours later, smoke still smoldering.

This was the latest in a series of measures that Israel took following a Palestinian attack at a bar mitzvah party, which killed six Israelis and injured more than 30.

Some employees tried to salvage whatever was left. Others couldn't handle the shock, like this coordinator at Palestinian TV, who says nothing was left of her office. "I'm paralyzed" she says. "I can't move my hands and unable to think rationally. They destroyed us."

The Palestinian Authority says this is unprecedented Israeli aggression. "This is part of Israel's campaign to undermine the Palestinian Authority" says this Cabinet Minister.

Residents from all over town came to check out the damage. The neighbors told us they were terrified when they saw the tanks and realized what was happening. No one was injured, but several homes did suffer some damage.

"This is the terrorism of Sharon" says Usa Jamil (ph). Others were angry. This man told us he felt helpless when the soldiers knocked down one of the symbols of Palestinian independence.

"I'm starting to believe that all the world is conspiring against the Palestinian people" he say. "No Arabs, no international community."

This is not the first time Palestinian Radio has been targeted. Israel says, the voice of Palestine is used by the Palestinian Authority for incitement against Israel and Israelis. Palestinian officials say they only report what Israel does.

UNIDENTIFIED MALE: They used to hear themselves only (inaudible). They don't want our version of the story.

The voice of Palestine was back on the air, less than three hours after the explosion, from a small rented studio and broadcasting on short wave.

AMIN (on camera): As the cycle of actions and reactions between Israelis and Palestinians continue, both sides now seem to share a common concern. Where will be the next target?

Rula Amin, CNN, Ramallah.

(END VIDEOTAPE)

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