U.S. special envoy Ross leaves for Israel to hold last-minute talks with PM Netanyahu on possible "face-saving ideas" that would "redefine a part of the 13%" of the West Bank fr. which the U.S. proposes Israel withdraw, allowing Netanyahu to accept the U.S. FRD plan and come to Washington 5/11. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/8) (see 5/6)
Arafat stops in Cairo to brief Mubarak on London talks. (MENA 5/7 in WNC 5/8)
In Amman, PA Local Government M Erakat briefs PM Majali on London talks. (RJ 5/7 in WNC 5/8) (see 5/6)
Urged to do so by the Israel's amb. to the UN Dore Gold, CPMAJO convenes emergency session to vote on whether to issue a public criticism of the Clinton administration. Motion fails by a wide margin. (WP 5/8; YA 5/8 in WNC 5/11; WT 5/9) (see 5/6)
Clinton gives 1st speech to an American Arab organization (the Arab American Institute) by a sitting U.S. pres. (MM, WT 5/8, MM 5/13)
After 2 wks. of negotiations, Moledet leader Ze'evi turns down Netanyahu's invitation to joint the coalition government. (Vesti [Tel Aviv] 5/12 in WNC 5/13; JP 5/16) (see 4/20)
Kuwait frees 6 of 13 Jordanian detainees pardoned 4/26. (JTV 5/7 in WNC 5/11) (see 5/5)