Israeli cabinet agrees in principle to carry out a single FRD, insists that Netanyahu specify the areas Israel will retain under a final settlement before details of FRD can be discussed, forms ministerial team (comprising PM Netanyahu, FM Levy, DM Mordechai, Trade M Natan Sharansky, and Infrastructures M Ariel Sharon) to draw up FRD plans, lists security prerequisites that the PA would have to fulfill. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/1; MA, YA 12/1, YA 12/2 in WNC 12/9; NYT 12/3; MEI 12/5; WT 12/7)
Moshe Leon, Netanyahu's economic adviser, is approved as the new dir. gen. of the PM's Office, replacing Lieberman, who is appointed by the pres. of Moldova as Moldova's honorary consul in Israel, with full diplomatic status. (Globes [Internet] 11/30 in WNC 12/9; ITV 12/8, YA 12/9 in WNC 12/17) (see 11/23)