Tuesday, May 18, 1999

King Abdallah of Jordan meets with Pres. Bill Clinton; says that Jordan is very pleased with Barak's victory, that he sees eye-to-eye with Barak on many issues. The king also meets with World Bank pres. James Wolfensohn, U.S. Trade Rep. Charlene Barshefsky, outgoing treasury secy. Robert Rubin. (NYT, WP, WT 5/19; MM 5/21)

Britain, Iran end 20 yr. rift, restoring ambassadorial relations. (NYT, WT 5/19; GIU 5/20)

Jewish settlers begin digging foundations for a new housing complex in Palestinian neighborhoods of Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghunaym, Ras al-Amud in Jerusalem. (NYT, WT 5/19; WT 5/24; JP 5/28; MEI 6/4) (see 1/12)

To enhance his party's chance for a place in the new Israeli government, Arye Deri, who was sentenced to jail after being convicted on fraud and bribe-taking charges, gives up his Knesset seat but says that he will stay on as chmn. of Shas. (MM, NYT, WT 5/19; WT 5/20; NYT 5/21; JP 5/28) (see 4/15)

In Tehran, Iran, Jordan open 2 days of talks on expanding bilateral judicial relations, including fighting drug trafficking, exchange expertise, conducting joint studies on crime prevention. (IRNA 5/18 in WNC 5/19; IRNA 5/19 in WNC 5/20)

Hizballah responds to IDF attack 5/17, firing 4 rockets into n. Israel. (MM, NYT, WP 5/18; WT 5/19; MEI 5/21)