Monday, April 20, 1998

In Gaza, British PM Blair, Arafat sign security cooperation agmt. After mtg. Blair announces that Arafat, Netanyahu have agreed to meet separately with him, U.S. Secy. of State Albright in a London summit beginning 5/4 in what the U.S. warns might be a last chance to save the peace process. (MM 4/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/21; ITV, LPA, MA, RE, SA 4/21 in WNC 4/23; MM 4/23; PR 4/24, 5/1; JP 5/2)

Netanyahu invites extreme hard-liner retired Gen. Rehavam Ze'evi, his Moledet party to join the cabinet as minister without portfolio. Ze'evi has advocated deportation of Palestinians fr. Israel, occupied territories; warned Arafat in 1993 that he would be assassinated if he dared to visit Israel; publicly insulted Asst. Secy. of State Indyk when he was serving as amb. to Israel. (MM 4/22; al-Quds al-Arabi 4/23 in WNC 4/27; MM 4/24; WT 5/5; MM 4/27)

Iran, Iraq hold mtg. to discuss freeing all remaining POWs, fate of MIAs. (CSM, WP 4/21)

In s. Lebanon, an SLA mbr. is injured when land mine explodes. (VOL 4/20 in WNC 4/21)