Syrian Pres. al-Asad gives speech saying Syria "realizes that peace has objective requirements and will meet the . . . requirements agreed upon." Israeli FM Peres heralds statement as "a new current." (FT, MM, NYT, WT 9/12; WP 9/13)
7,000 settlers rally in Golan, 13 begin hunger strike to protest rumors of future Israeli withdrawal fr. Golan. (MM, NYT, WT 9/12; WP 9/13; MM 9/22)
Hoping to spur talks canceled 9/9, Norwegian FM Tore Godal invites donor countries to Oslo for informal mtg. to coincide with Peres-Arafat mtg. at celebration of 1st anniversary of Oslo accord 9/13. (ITV 9/10 in FBIS 9/12)
Social Affairs M al-Wazir announces PNA has unilaterally set election date for 11/1. Arafat orders voter registration offices set up. Israeli FMin. protests, says it will not permit offices to open. (VOP 9/10 in FBIS 9/12; WP 9/16; CSM 9/21)
Arafat says he is disbanding Presidential Guard due to clashes btwn. Col. Salih, Col. Rajub. (QY 9/10 in FBIS 9/12) (see 9/3)