Israeli-Plo Talks Break Up In Discord

Negotiations on Palestinian self-rule broke up in discord Thursday, reinforcing an impression of cheerless stalemate that has grown increasingly pronounced in recent weeks.

Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin and Palestine Liberation Organization leader Yasser Arafat managed thin smiles as they shook hands to start their meeting at the Erez crossing point between Israel and the autonomous Gaza Strip. But they abandoned their practice of holding a joint news conference afterward.

Israel is demanding that Arafat take strong steps to quash his radical opposition, which has mounted lethal attacks against Israelis. Palestinians are looking for an end to the closure of Israel’s borders with the Gaza Strip and Jericho, which is depriving tens of thousands of Arab workers of their livelihoods.