May 22, 1998

In Washington, Syrian FM Shara` meets with Secy. Albright, State. Dept. peace team; discusses Israel's conditional s. Lebanon withdrawal proposal. (MM 5/22; MEI 6/5; al-Watan al-Arabi 6/5 in WNC 6/9; JP 6/6)

At the request of the White House, House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA) cancels plans to lay a symbolic cornerstone at the site of the proposed site of the new U.S. embassy to Israel in Jerusalem during his 4-day trip to Israel, which starts 5/23. (WT 5/23; al-Quds 5/23 in WNC 5/27; WT 5/26)

Senate approves (90-4) the Iran Missile Proliferation Sanctions Act (IMPSA)--a bill that will place sanctions on foreign companies providing missile technology to Iran. White House has said it will veto the measure. (WP, WT 5/23) (see 5/21)