Friday, March 27, 1987

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Pres. Herzog reduces from life to 24 years the prison sentences of 3 Jewish settlers convicted in connection with the July 1983 attack on Arab students at Hebron's Islamic College [WP 3/27].

Arab World: Statement drafted by representatives of 5 factions within the Palestine National Salvation Front at end of 5-day meeting in Tripoli calls for new PLO chairman to replace Arafat, restructuring of National Council. Al-Sa'iqah and Abu Musa's faction of Fateh did not participate in the talks [NYT 3/28].

Other Countries: Reagan administration announces shift to a more "activist" policy in the Middle East in an effort to restore credibility [WP 3/29]. Israeli Foreign Ministry official and China's UN ambassador hold talks on prospects for international conference on Middle East peace [WP 3/29].