Saturday, July 31, 1999

Following the EA on 7/29, Palestinian officials say that PM Barak's request to delay Wye implementation is unacceptable, therefore the 2-wk. delay to examine the issue agreed to by Arafat on 7/27 is a "waste of time." Barak reiterates concerns that the 3d stage of the FRD outlined in Wye, which would isolate several Jewish settlements, could spark violence. (NYT, WT 8/1; CSM 8/3; JP 8/6; WJW 8/12)

In Alexandria, Arafat, Mubarak discuss their latest mtgs. with PM Barak, Barak's proposal to delay Wye implementation. (MENA 7/31 in WNC 8/2)

Also while in Cairo, Arafat leads a mtg. of the Fatah Central Comm. (FCC), seeking to unify Fatah's ranks ahead of final status talks. (NYT, WP, WT 8/1; MENA 8/1 in WNC 8/2)

In Ramallah, Jordan, the PA sign an protocol to improve agricultural cooperation. (JTV 7/31 in WNC 8/2)