Saturday, June 17, 2000

PA-Israeli talks at Andrews and Bolling AFBs end. (HA [Internet], IsRN 6/18)

The UNSC meets to endorse Secy.-Gen. Annan's certification of Israel's withdrawal fr. Lebanon, but after 10 hrs. of discussion, mbrs. remain deadlocked over accepting the verification given Lebanese claims (see 6/16). After U.S. Secy. of State Albright intervenes, the UNSC recesses, tentatively agreeing to endorse Annan's decision tomorrow. Annan threatens to cancel his visit to Lebanon, set for 6/19, if the UNSC does not fully back his statement. (NYT, WP, WT 6/18; CSM, NYT 6/19; IRNA, al-Quds 6/19 in WNC 6/21; MM 6/20; Tr 6/23 in WNC 6/27)

At its 1st conference in 15 yrs., the Syrian Ba'th party unanimously elects Bashar al-Asad as party leader. (NYT, WP, WT 6/18; NYT, WP, WT 6/19; CSM 6/20; MEI 6/30)