After a wk. of mtgs., U.S. special envoy Ross returns to Washington having failed to revive PA-Israeli talks. (CSM, NYT, WP 2/29; AYM 2/29 in WNC 3/1; XIN 2/29 in WNC 3/2; al-Quds 2/29, DUS, al-Quds 3/1 in WNC 3/3; WT 3/1; AYM 3/1 in WNC 3/6)
The Political Comm. of the Palestinian Council (PC) condemns French PM Jospin's 2/24 statement on Hizballah, the attack on Jospin by Birzeit University students, the PA's arrest of students and closure of the university. The comm. calls on the PA to reopen Birzeit, to turn over students to the university's disciplinary comm. (al-Quds 2/29 in WNC 3/3)
With the number of popular and labor protests in the West Bank and Gaza growing, the PA declares that all demonstrations, public mtgs. must receive prior authorization of the PA police. (LAW 2/29; NYT, WT 3/1; LAW 3/2; MEI 3/10; al-Quds 3/28 in WNC 3/29)
In Ramallah, PA officials discuss the ongoing teachers strike, promise to seek funds for pay raises. In addition to not receiving salary increases, some teachers have not been paid in mos., have been fired, or have been transferred. (MENL 2/29) (see 2/17)
In s. Lebanon, Hizballah attacks IDF posts, injuring 2 IDF soldiers, 1 civilian. The IDF responds with air strikes against Hizballah targets. (WP 2/29)