April 27, 2000

At the PFLP congress in Damascus, party head George Habash announces his plans to retire fr. the organization. He is expected to be replaced by Abu Ali Mustafa. (NYT 4/29; AYM 4/29 in WNC 5/2; WT 5/3; al-Quds 5/7 in WNC 5/10; MM 5/8, 5/9)

Iranian conservatives close the last 3 proreform newspapers still operating, including 1 owned by Pres. Khatami's brother, 1 by a Khatami adviser. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/28; NYT 4/29; WP 5/1; MM 5/2; WT 5/6) (see 4/25)