PM Rabin warns of governing coalition's collapse as he sharply criticizes Education Min. Shulamit Aloni for her remarks on the Golan Heights, as well as for angering the ultra-Orthodox community with her secularist education program. (Qol Yisra'el 9/27 in FBIS 9/28; NYT, WP 9/28)
Over 3,000 Palestinian prisoners in 5 Israeli and 2 W. Bank jails embark on indefinite hunger strike to protest conditions in Israeli jails. (MM 9/28)
Iranian and UAE negotiators begin talks on status of Abu Musa island. (AFP 9/26, 9/27 in FBIS 9/28; MM 9/28)
Democratic presidential candidate Bill Clinton says recent Lebanese elections were not free and fair, and that withdrawal of Syria's 40,000-strong "occupying" force is essential to Lebanon's independence. (MM 9/29)
U.S. bipartisan Congressional Budget Office reports that limits of weapons sales to the Middle East could save the U.S. $10 billion a year, while costing U.S. arms manufacturers $3 billion a year. Sales of arms for domestic rather than foreign policy reasons thwart the peace process and can damage long-term regional stability. Report also details European arms sales estimates. (Reuters 9/27 in MM 9/28)