Sunday, May 16, 1999
A day before Israeli elections, 2 minor candidates--Center party's Yitzhak Mordechai, Herut's Benjamin Begin--withdraw fr. the race for PM, fearing their campaigns undermine efforts to unseat incumbent PM Benjamin Netanyahu. (NYT, WP, WT 5/16; MM 5/17; al-Ahram 5/18 in WNC 5/19)
On the 2d day of his visit aimed at improving bilateral relations and regional security, Iranian pres. Mohamed Khatami meets with Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdallah. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/17; MEI 5/21) (see 5/15)
Kuwait's cabinet gives women the right to vote, run for parliament as of 2003. The decision must be approved by the new parliament elected in 7/99. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/17; MM 5/19, 5/27; NYT 6/18)