81.   The American mediator has been shuttling between Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in hopes of bridging the gaps.

82.   The cease-fire and Serb withdrawal negotiated by American mediator Richard Holbrooke was shaky at best and began to fall apart in December as violence mounted in the province.

83.   The chief Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, Dan Shomron and Saeb Erakat, were to meet in in Jerusalem with the American mediator Dennis Ross.

84.   The Israeli newspaper Maariv said Syrian President Hafez Assad had warned Israel through American mediators that he had other options if the peace talks did not resume.

85.   The Maariv daily reported Tuesday that Syrian President Hafez Assad on Monday warned Israel via American mediators that he has other options if peace talks do not resume.

86.   The meeting may also help American mediator Anthony Zinni decide whether Arafat has accepted U.S. conditions for a cease-fire and will work to implement them.

87.   The message was given to Damascus by American mediators, the report said.

88.   The latest violence raised fears of heightened turmoil two days before the arrival of two American mediators to the region.

89.   The meeting also may help American mediator Anthony Zinni decide whether Arafat, the Palestinian leader, accepts U.S. conditions for a cease-fire and will work to implement them.

90.   The meeting Sunday may also help American mediator Anthony Zinni decide whether Arafat has accepted U.S. conditions for a cease-fire and will work to implement them.