Tuesday, April 23, 1991

Sec. Baker holds nearly 10 hours of talks with Pres. Asad, at press conference Baker declines to say whether progress was made [NYT, LAT, MEM 4/24; DDS 4/23 in FBIS 4/23; SANA 4/23 in FBIS 4/24].

Eight Israeli families complete move to new settlement of Talmon Bet several miles west of Ramallah hours before Sec. Baker is due to arrive in Israel. Gush Emunim says new houses are part of existing settlement. Baker later announces he is postponing his visit to Israel for trip to USSR [MEM 4/23; NYT, WP 4/24; JPI 5/4].

Clashes are reported between peace activists and settlers there [MEM 4/23].

Israeli officials say they do not interpret U.S. objection to settlements as call for definite freeze, but rather as Washington asking for temporary halt [LAT 4/24].

PLO Central Council ends 3 days of meetings in Tunis, calls for international peace conference that includes PLO [MEM 4/24; TDS 4/25, AVP, MAP 4/24 in FBIS 4/25; AVP 4/25 in FBIS 4/26].