October 20, 1996

French Pres. Chirac, Syrian Pres. Asad meet in Damascus. The two sign 2 agmts. rescheduling Syrians $350-m. debt to France, providing fresh credit to relaunch economic relations. (SATN 10/20 in WNC 10/22; MEI, MM 10/25)

In Damascus, French FM de Charette, Syrian FM Shara` sign memorandum of understanding, activating agmts. on coordination btwn. higher education institutions, transfer of technology and scientific research, expanding cultural exchanges, launching joint research and development projects. (SATN 10/20 in WNC 10/23)

U.S. evacuates another 500 Iraqis, their families to Turkey. (WP, WT 10/21) (see 10/19)