Monday, April 13, 1992

Israel Aircraft Industries announces U.S. has formally commissioned Israel to begin work on second phase of joint U.S.-Israel project to develop the Arrow missile defense system, part of U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative, or "Star Wars" [U.S. contributions to second stage will total $320 million]. (Qol Yisra'el 4/13 in FBIS 4/15)

FM Levy demands release of Israeli held in Egypt on charges of espionage [3 Arabs carrying Israeli citizenship are also being detained; see 3/10]. (IDF Radio 4/13 in FBIS 4/14)

Pres. Asad meets with representatives of Syrian Jewish community for first time since assuming power in 1970. Asad informs delegation that travel restrictions faced by Jews will be lifted. He also announces government will release 2 Jews currently imprisoned in Syria. (MM 5/1)