WEST BANK (17 AUGUST 1981 ) (REUTERS - TALI GODER )

GV ZOOM IN Construction at Elon Moreh

LV Sharon walks towards settlement site

GV Sharon talks with settlers (2 shots)

CU ZOOM OUT INTERIOR Sharon and settlers (2 shots)

GV EXTERIOR Security forces outside building

SV Sharon shakes hands with Secretary General of Elon Moreh, Beni Katzoger, and others

GV Sharon in Landrover leaving

(SOUNDBITE ENGLISH) CU Secretary General Katzoger speaking :

KATZOGER: "The political purpose we are not satisfied. Because this is part of Israel and to give to the Palestinians we don't have to be agreed."

REPORTER: "Are you against Palestinian autonomy?"

KATZOGER: "Of course."

BB

Background: INTRODUCTION: Less than a fortnight after his appointment by Prime Minister Menachem Begin, Israel's new Defense Minister Ariel Sharon visited the West Bank on Monday (17 August). His appointment gives him supreme authority over the area.

SYNOPSIS: Mr. Sharon visited the settlement at Elon Moreh on the West Bank. It is one of an increasing number of Israeli settlements in the area. According to some estimates, there will be more than 100 such settlements by 1984, with a Jewish population of nearly 200,000. The Arab population is now reported to be below 700,000.

One of his priorities was to talk with settlers.

Already Mr. Sharon, a war hero who has a reputation for ruthlessness in politics, has placed more stringent rules on the Palestinian leaders on the West Bank. Any contact between them and the Palestinian Liberation Organization has been banned.

But at the same time, he has also promoted a policy of easier relations with the Arabs.

His policy is to ease tight military control, with fewer roadblocks, eliminating collective punishment, and avoiding sending troops into schools. However, the Secretary General of Elon Moreh settlement, Beni Katzoger, was not encouraged.