Miami developer Moskowitz postpones plans to build Jewish housing at Ras al-Amud, saying he wants to construct more units than the Interior Min. permit allows. (NYT, WP, WT 7/27; YA 7/27, ITV 7/28 in WNC 7/29; MM, WT 7/28; al-Dustur 7/28 in WNC 7/29) (see 7/25)
The U.S. decides not to oppose a $1.6 b. pipeline that would carry huge quantities of natural gas fr. Turkmenistan across Iran to Turkey and Europe, marking the 1st significant easing of Iran's economic isolation since 1979. Though the U.S. will not endorse the project, it says the plan is not in violation of the 1996 Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, which bars U.S., foreign investments of more than $40 m. in the development of Iran's energy. (NYT, WP 7/27; MM 7/29; WT 7/30; MEI 8/8)
IAF Secy. Gen. Ishaq al-Farhan, 4 other mbrs. resign fr. the party over the 7/24 decision to boycott Jordan's 11/97 elections. (RMC 7/25 in WNC 7/28; al-Dustur 7/26, JT 7/27 in WNC 7/29; al-Sabil 7/29 in WNC 8/4) (see 7/25)
1 Lebanese civilian is wounded when an Israeli shell explodes close to her home in Suhmur in s. Lebanon. (RL 7/26 in WNC 7/29)