Hanan Ashrawi travels to Amman to meet with Secy. of State Baker after Chmn. Arafat changes his mind and instructs her to meet with Baker in an attempt to narrow differences between the two sides. Ashrawi reports progress, but not agreement. (MEM 9/20)
Baker later travels to Syria to deliver U.S. "letter of assurances" to Syrian pres. al-Asad. Following a short visit, he returns to U.S. after having failed to obtain final confirmation from Israel, Jordan, Syria, and the Palestinians that they would attend the proposed peace conference. Each party has objected to portions of the U.S. "letter of assurances" delivered to it during Baker's recent trip to region. Baker threatens to issue invitations to the conference to force parties to make a final decision. (NYT 9/21, Syrian Arab Republic Radio 9/20 in FBIS 9/23)
Nayif Hawatma, head of one faction of the DFLP, states that "bureaucratic, high-handed" machinations have blocked attempts toward are composition of PNC, which will be composed of "old characters" who have lost any influence with the Palestinian people. Hawatma claims others share his view, links recent resignations by several PNC independents with dissatisfaction over PNC composition [see 9/18]. (Radio Monte Carlo 9/20 in FBIS 9/23; MENA 9/21)
Knesset finance committee approves plan to spend 15 million shekels in development funds in occupied territories. (MEM 9/23)