Hamas rep. in Amman Muhammad Nazzal reassures PLO that its diplomatic contacts (with U.S., among others) are not meant to establish Hamas as an alternative leadership. (Jordan Times 3/2 in FBIS 3/2)
MK Benyamin Netanyahu, other Likud MKs, tour Golan Heights, brief Jewish mayors on 2-stage Israeli withdrawal "plan." (HaAretz 3/1 in FBIS 3/1)
West Bank settlement guards have been granted "limited policing powers" allowing them to search, detain, and arrest any Palestinian on specified grounds of suspicion- a "far-reaching amendment" to existing laws. Agreement is result of appeal by Ariel "mayor" Ron Nachman to the High Court againsthe IDF. (Yedi'otAharonot 3/1 in FBIS 3/3)
Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Sabah al-Ahmad "rules out" restoration of ties with Arab states that opposed the war against Iraq, singling out Jordan and the PLO, who still support "false claims." (MM 3/1)
Italian TV runs interview (taped 2/13) with Pres. Saddam Hussein, who says if an Israeli-Palestinian settlement is "arrived at that satisfies the Palestinians, I will accept it," and recognize Israel. He is doubtful of such a settlement, though. (MM 3/1; Baghdad INA 3/4 in FBIS 3/5)
U.S. issues warning to travelers of a "heightened threat of terrorism" in Jordan. Jordanian ministers are "astonished" by the warning, asserting that Americans are safer in Jordan than back home. (MM 3/2, 3/3)
Pres. Mubarak meets with Conf. of Presidents of Major American Jewish Orgs. in Cairo. (MM 3/2, 3/5)
Gazan Islamic Jihad mbr. stabs 2 Israelis to death, wounds 9, in Tel Aviv. Israel seals Gaza Strip. (WP 3/2; NYT 3/3; AFP, Qol Yisra'el, IDF Radio 3/1 in FBIS 3/2)