May 31, 2000

U.S. Amb. to Israel Martin Indyk, U.S. Consul General John Herbst meet with Arafat to assess the gaps btwn. the Israeli, PA sides on final status issues. This evening, Pres. Clinton phones Arafat to discuss plans to meet with him soon in Washington. (MM 6/1; NYT, WP 6/2; AYM 6/4 in WNC 6/8)

Some 500 Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails end their 31-day hunger strike under pressure fr. the PA, which feared that the death of a hunger striker could lead to mass popular protests that could derail final status talks, which the sides hope to resume within days. In return, Israel grants prisoners more liberal family visitation, moves 5 prisoners out of solitary confinement. (AYM 5/31 in WNC 6/2; NYT 6/1; JP 6/2, 6/9) (see 5/30)