August 27, 1999

PA chief negotiators Erakat, Mahmud Abbas make 1-day trip to Washington to hold talks with Secy. of State Albright on the Wye timetable impasse with Israel, Albright's upcoming trip to the region. Erakat asks the U.S. to intervene with Israel regarding the Wye prisoner release, the last point of disagreement blocking an agmt. on a renegotiated Wye implementation schedule. (WT 8/29)

United Torah Judaism agrees not to resign Barak's coalition over transportation of turbine components on the Sabbath after the government arranges for a non-Jew to drive the truck. (MM 8/27; NYT 8/28) (see 8/25)