In advance of human rights report to be issued 2/21, U.S. State Dep't. says Israeli soldiers continue to violate Palestinian human rights, causing "avoidable deaths and injuries." State Dep't. also reports "significant increase in violence by Palestinians directed at other Palestinians" (cf. 2/21) [NYT 2/21].
Washington Post article cites recent statements by Israeli gov't. officials to the effect that PLO is continuing terrorism [WP 2/21].
Jordan's P.M. and D.M. Mudar Badran says financial considerations have forced Jordanian fighter pilots to train with Iraqi counterparts; this does not mean joint squadron is being formed. Badran accuses Israel of exploiting the subject [RAY 2/21 in FBIS 2/21].
Egypt's ambassador to Israel, Muhammad Basyuni, says "Egypt does not oppose Jewish immigration to Israel, but does oppose the settling of new immigrants in the territories" [MAA 2/21 in FBIS 2/22].
PLO envoy Hakam Balawi meets with U.S. ambassador to Tunisia Robert Pelletreau to discuss Soviet Jewish emigration to Israel [SVP 2/21 in FBIS 2/23].
Hundreds of Israeli Arabs demonstrate against Interior and Finance ministries, urging them to honor pledge to aid Arab local councils in Israel [FJ 2/26].
Chrmn. of the Supreme Soviet International Affairs Committee, A.S. Dzasokhov, meets in Moscow with PLO Executive Committee members Mahmud Abbas and Sulayman Najjab to discuss strengthening Soviet-Palestinian relations [IZV 2/21].
2 UNIFIL soldiers are killed, at least 6 are wounded by artillery fire directed at S. Lebanon outpost from inside Israel's "security zone"; initial Israeli army statement says bombing occurred during gunfire between SLA and Hizballah [JDS 2/20 in FBIS 2/20; NYT 2/21]; UN protests to Israeli gov't. [WP 2/21].