Conference taveng::bagels

ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 19-FEB-1992
 
1. WASHINGTON TALKS
 
___Palestinians. 
___The PLO decided the delegation should go at the scheduled time
[despite earlier reservations by Hussaini and Ashrawi]. 
___Jordan. 
___The foreign minister referred to the detention of the two
Palestinians in Israel that the delegation wanted to co-opt, saying
it was an attempt to sabotage the talks and prevent progress in the
political process. Jordan is determined to take part, nevertheless,
despite Palestinian threats to boycott the talks, according to a
senior Jordanian official. (Reuters, Feb. 18).
 
___Syria. 
___The foreign minister in an interview with BBC in Arabic (Feb.
18) blamed Israel for attacking in South Lebanon and oppressing
Palestinians in the Territories, to foil the next round of talks in
Washington. Israel is not interested in negotiations over Arab
territories under her control. 
___Radio Damascus said (Feb. 18) Syria and the other Arab
delegations will insist on discussing concrete issues in
Washington, first and foremost the withdrawal from occupied
territories and the rights of the Palestinians. The stand taken by
"the Zionists" will be decisive in determining the continuation of
the peace process. The Arabs will call on the U.S. to carry out its
duty and promises...
 
___Egypt. 
___The foreign minister told Reuters (Feb. 18) that if Israel and
the Palestinians reach agreement on significant autonomy, nothing
will prevent Syria from reaching agreement with Israel that will
bring about full withdrawal. Because Israel has not yet said the
words "Territories for Peace," Syria has not yet suggested a deal.
The next round of bilateral talks will have an influence on the
multilateral talks.
 
2. HIZBULLAH 
___Sheikh Hassan Nasrullah, a senior member and identified with the
radical branch, has been elected (Feb. 18) unanimously by the
advisory council as the secretary general of Hizbullah to succeed
Mussawi. He said at Mussawi's funeral "Israel will continue being
a cancerous growth which must be uprooted." Armed activities are
the only option. "Jerusalem will continue to head our aspirations,
and all of Palestine, without conceding one grain of sand of its
territory." He concluded: "The language of war will continue to
exist between us and the Jews." (Nur Radio, Feb. 18). 
___The Lebanese government denounced "Israeli aggression"
especially the elimination of Mussawi, and sent a note to the UN
for an urgent Security Council meeting. It ordered Lebanese troops
to deploy in the South...
 
3. EGYPT 
___The foreign minister told Reuters (Feb. 18) that the U.S. and
Britain are right in demanding justice in the Lockerbie case; the
Libyan suspects should be interrogated and judged, and everyone
connected with the attack should be punished. They should be judged
in Libya, and if this is not acceptable another solution should be
found. He said there was nervousness in the region at the
possibility of an American military move against Libya, and he
hoped this possibility had been removed.
 
4. IRAQ 
___The deputy foreign minister said (Feb. 18) the links between the
country and its leader are stronger than ever (in response to
American statements wishing for the end of Saddam).
 
5. U.S.A. 
___The chief of naval intelligence warns against Iran's intensified
rearmament, and attempts to acquire mini-submarines from a
non-Communist country.
 
6. IRAN-YEMEN 
___An agreement to increase Iranian oil exports and investments in
Yemen has been signed. Iran has also release Yemeni PoW's from the
Iran-Iraq War.
 
7. IRAN 
___The Iranian embassy in Cairo denies media reports that Iranian
Revolutionary Guards are training young Algerians. (Qattar news
agency, Feb. 9).
 
8. SAUDIA 
___"Al-Youm" (Feb. 18) writes that the Israeli "barbaric acts of
revenge against every fedayeen action" and withholding full
legitimate rights from the Palestinians means the intifada uprising
will continue until a Palestinian state "arises on the stolen land
of Palestine. "

ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 8-MAR-1992
 
1. WASHINGTON TALKS -- SUMMARY
 
___Syria. 
___The chief delegate said [while still in the U.S.] that Syria is
ready to make peace with Israel with everything accompanying it.
The Arabs would grant mutual recognition to Israel, establish
economic relations and make security arrangements, on condition
Israel definitely withdraws from the occupied territories in
conformity with UN resolutions. He ruled out the policy of separate
agreements and said the Arabs, especially Syria, are strongly
connected to the peace process and will be very patient with
Israel. He did not rule out that the final stage of the
negotiations would take place in the Middle East. (AFP, AP, Mar.
6). 
___He told reporters he had suggested to the Israelis postponing
the talks until after the Israeli elections, but this was not
accepted, on the grounds that there is no connection between the
talks and the elections. He said there has been quiet American
diplomatic intervention in the talks. They told the Syrians they
are fulfilling their role as conference sponsors but this did not
necessarily mean their intervention was public and open. 
___On returning to Damascus (Mar. 7) he strongly attacked Israel
"for foiling the peace process for the fourth time in this last
round of talks by adhering to the policy of settlements and
rejecting the foundations of the process, especially UN Res. 242
and 338 and the principle arising from them of Territories for
Peace." 
___Damascus sources say Syria is very upset by the slow pace of the
talks but does not want to walk out, because continuing
negotiations is much preferable to ending or suspending them, which
could throw the region into a cycle of crises and instability.
 
___Lebanon. 
___The Lebanese foreign minister said the talks have become an
"empty dialogue" and they should be deferred till after the Israeli
elections. (Reuters, Mar. 6).
 
___Palestinians. 
___The PLO Exec. Committee is in session to discuss the results of
the last round of talks in Washington, as well as the note from
King Hussein to the PLO... 
___Meanwhile, the Palestinians reacted angrily to the remarks by a
State Dept. official who blamed them for posturing to the media
instead of engaging in negotiations. They denied Washington told
them to withdraw their self-government proposals, but only insisted
they should not make a precondition of their demand for the ending
of settlements in the Territories. Four PLO factions -- the Popular
and Democratic fronts, the National Struggle Front and the
Liberation Front -- have criticized the plan proposed by the
Palestinian delegation before Israel ended settlements. (AFP, Dec.
7).
 
___Jordan. 
___The foreign minister reacted positively to the last round of
talks and said "the process is under way...things are where they
should be." He thinks the next round will also be in Washington
despite Israel's preference for a Middle Eastern site.
 
___Egypt. 
___The foreign minister said that despite Israel's stubborn stand,
there was an important development -- the exchange of position
papers between the Israeli and Palestinian delegations. He said
Cairo is pleased with the dynamism now evident in the talks and
thinks the way will be long but there is no avoiding a continuation
of talks.
 
___U.S. 
___A senior State Dept. officials criticized the Palestinians for
paying more attention to the media than to real negotiations. (AFP,
Mar. 6).
 
___Russia. 
___The Qatar news agency said (Mar. 7) the Soviet foreign minister
told the Saudi paper "Al-Youm" (Mar. 7) it is regrettable the talks
are still marking time after three months of discussions. He blamed
Israel for, in his words, continuing to be obstinate on procedural
matters and not entering basic issues for which the peace
conference was convened, including the establishment of a
Palestinian state.
 
2. PLO-JORDAN 
___Notes were exchanged on future relations, before Hussein goes to
the U.S.. The PLO wants a confederation between Jordan and
Palestine under one roof...
 
3. INTER-ARAB CONTACTS 
___Iraqi deputy premier Tarik Aziz has gone to the UN to discuss
the destruction of installations for producing weapons of mass
destruction and will address the Security Council on Mar. 11. He
stopped in Jordan on the way and met with King Hussein (Amman
Radio, Mar. 7). He asked for Jordanian help in easing sanctions
against Iraq and in intervening in Iraq's favor in the U.S. 
___Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan is visiting Turkey and met with
the prime minister, discussing bilateral relations and more
cooperation.
 
4. IRAN 
___The deputy foreign minister said Israel wants to widen the
security zone in South Lebanon to prevent attacks from there.
Israel had failed so far to block the Hizbullah, despite trying all
methods. He criticized negotiations with Israel which will get
nothing without the threat of force...(Iranian TV, Mar. 3).
"Al-Biyader ass-Siassi" (Feb. 29) says there is a difference of
opinion between Pres. Rafsanjani who wants to react with restraint
to the killing of Sheikh Mussawi, while his opponents want to
escalate violent reactions and increase their support for
Hizbullah.
 

ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 5-MAR-1992
 
1.  WASHINGTON TALKS - THIRD ROUND
 
___Palestinians.  
___Are willing to consider continuation of talks in Europe, after
saying the negotiations have reached a deadlock, with neither side
accepting the proposals of the other regarding
autonomy...Delegation leader Shafi said if a Labor government is
established in Israel after the elections, it might be more
flexible and there might be more negotiating latitude; he thinks
the Shamir government's prospects of contributing to the peace
process are low..(Lebanese Falange Radio, Mar.  4).  
___Spokeswoman Ashrawi said the Palestinian document of autonomy
proposals was handed to the State Department and she thinks the
Israelis cannot reject it, as they rejected the first
document...She said elections in the Territories must not be
carried out under force and "we are not demanding an Israeli
withdrawal this year." The Palestinians would consider a
negotiating site ...in Europe, a neutral place, with the needed
services and security.  (CNN, ME news agency, BBC Radio, Mar.  4).
 
___PLO 
___Arafat returned from Cairo to Tunis (Mar.  4).  He met the
Egyptian foreign minister.  He said the autonomy should not last
longer than six months (ME news agency, "Al-Hayat" Mar.  4).  The
Democratic Front said the new Palestinian document is a new
concession under pressure from the Americans.  He called on the
Palestinian delegation to insist on ending settlements or else they
would suspend the talks.  Two delegation members, Ghassan el-Khatib
and Samir Abdullah, had resigned...
 
___Jordan.  
___The negotiations should be moved from Washington only if there
is progress in the talks (Chief Jordanian delegate, Mar.  4).
 
___Syria.  
___This just-completed round of talks had negative results, the
chief delegate told a news conference (Mar.  4).  Israel continued
to use the talks to conceal new facts on the ground.  The Israeli
government is also involved in elections.  There is no reason to
move the talks away from Washington.
 
___Lebanon.  
___Israel still does not recognize it is an occupier in Lebanon. 
It wants a peace treaty between the two countries.  The only
solution is carrying out UN Res.  425.
 
2.  SYRIA 
___No major changes in Syrian policy are expected to be included in
the speech by Pres.  Assad in Parliament on Mar.  12, when he is
sworn in for his fourth consecutive term of office, according to
Syrian observers.  
___They stressed Syria's "political and economic stability."
 
3.  ALGERIA 
___The Islamic Front FIS has been outlawed (Mar.  4) by order of
the minister of the interior.  It will appeal to the Supreme Court. 
There is quiet in the streets.  (AP, Mar.  4).
 
4.  JORDAN-IRAN 
___The Jordanian religious affairs minister has visited Iran (Mar. 
1) and met with Pres.  Rafsanjani giving him a note from King
Hussein.  They discussed bilateral affairs, the Palestinian
problem, the peace process, and the death of the Hizbullah leader
in South Lebanon.  They signed a memorandum of understanding for
Iran to help repair the El-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem and holy sites
and graves in Jordan.  Jordan, for its part, will help Iranian
pilgrims on their way to Saudi Arabia.  (Observers say the visit is
important to Iran, which wants to develop bilateral relations and
make ties with the parliamentary members of the Moslem
Brotherhood).  (Iranian TV, Mar. 1).  
 
 

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ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 9-MAR-1992 
 
1.  POLITICAL PROCESS
 
___PLO 
___PLO Exec.  Committee member Yasser Abed Rabbo met with King
Hussein of Jordan and the prime minister and said the note to them
from the PLO asks for Jordanian involvement in the demand to get
control of the Territories from Israel and to confirm a future
confederation with Jordan...
 
___Jordan.  
___The Jordanian delegation has returned home, reporting there was
no progress in the last round of talks and Israel refuses to
discuss the key issues.  Unofficial discussions were nevertheless
conducted on such subjects as water and the environment.  
___King Hussein has begun his visits to Europe and the U.S.  He
arrived in Iceland and met the president and will go to Canada
(Mar.  9-11), then the U.S., France, and Germany.
 
___Lebanon.  
___The army commander said there would be no solution without the
return of South Lebanese territory [by Israel] to the government. 
The armed resistance was a result of the occupation, not the other
way round.  
___Hizbullah leader Nasrullah called on the Lebanese people to set
aside marginal matters and deal with important subjects such as
confronting the Zionist attack.  The whole area is endangered and
Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian intifada and Iran must work
together.  (Voice of Islam radio, Mar.  8).
 
___Egypt.  
___The foreign minister said the Israeli-Arab negotiations had not
reached a deadlock despite the lack of positive signs.  He called
for an Arab diplomatic pre-emptive campaign in the talks, in
ensuring their continuation and in applying the principle of
Territories for Peace.  He said senior Palestinian figures in Tunis
agreed that the negotiations should continue.  (ME news agency,
Mar.  8).
 
___U.S.A.  
___The Qattar paper "Ash-Sharq" of Mar.  8 quotes Arab sources in
Cairo as saying U.S.  Secretary of State Baker will visit the
region in April and present new American ideas to overcome the
difficulties preventing progress in the Israeli-Arab negotiations.
 
2.  NORTH KOREAN FREIGHTER WITH SCUD MISSILES 
___The radical Iranian paper "Salaam" warned the U.S.  against
conducting a search of the vessel, suspected of carrying SCUD
missiles to Iran or Syria.  This would be an intolerable step and
would cause the U.S.  damage.  (AP, Mar.  8) 
___"Ash-Sharq" of Qattar (Mar.  8) said the U.S.  had never shown
interest in the Israeli weapons arsenal, including nuclear weapons. 
The Bahreini "Akhbar el-Halij" said Washington wants to prevent
arms reaching the Arab States, for Israel's benefit.  (AP, Mar. 
8).
 
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ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 11-MAR-1992
 
(Ed.  note: this edition incorporates highlights of edition of Mar. 
10, which was not sent then.)
 
1.  POLITICAL PROCESS
 
___Lebanon.  
___The foreign minister invited the other Arab negotiators to meet
in Beirut between Mar.  20 and 30 to discuss the future of the
bilateral talks with Israel.  (Voice of Free Lebanon Radio, Mar. 
10).  In Washington, the deputy head of the delegation conferred at
the State Department on the negotiations and on U.S.  aid to
Lebanon.  (Voice of the Homeland Radio, Mar.  10).
 
___Palestinians.  
____Spokeswoman Ashrawi said in Amman the Arabs do not intend to
boycott peace talks or retreat from them despite Israel's
uncompromising behavior.  The negotiations are still at their start
and it is too early to say they have reached a deadlock.  If Israel
continues to refuse to surrender to international  legality,  she 
said,  "international  intervention  is essential." 
___A PLO delegation headed by Farouk Kaddoumi is due in Damascus
(Qattar news agency, Mar.  10) and Arafat will also visit there in
the course of a tour of Arab countries, to discuss the results of
the fourth round of peace talks.  
___The PLO, meanwhile, has announced it is ready to start talks
with Jordan on the subject of an eventual confederation between a
Palestinian entity and Jordan.
 
___Sudan.  
___The Sudanese regime thinks the Arabs will get nothing from the
peace talks and the Israelis will concede nothing nor withdraw from
the occupied territories.  (Iraqi news agency, Mar.  9).
 
___Egypt.  
___The foreign minister repeats his call for continued negotiations
with perseverance.
 
___Syria.  
___The defence minister has visited Beirut to inspect Syrian forces
in Lebanon, saying "Syria and Lebanon are one state with one people
living in two independent countries."
 
2.  JORDAN 
___King Hussein visited Iceland, where he met with the prime
minister Odson to exchange views on the peace process and to
discuss bilateral relations.  He said he was in favor of Iceland as
a site to continue bilateral talks with Israel.  He told Icelandic
TV the talks must continue because this is an opportunity that must
not be missed.  
___The king then arrived in Canada, and met with the prime minister
(Mar.  10).  They discussed Middle East security and the sanctions
against Iraq.  Canada will significantly increase economic aid to
Jordan as well as examine projects it can participate in with the
Jordanians.  In his meeting with the foreign minister, he stressed
the spiritual-religious  importance  of Jerusalem and of turning it
into a symbol of peace between all peoples and faiths.  (Reuters,
Amman Radio, Mar.  10).  
___Meanwhile, in Amman, a senior Jordanian source denied (Mar.  8)
the report in the British paper "The Observer" that King Hussein
will try to get U.S.  support for a program of confederation
between Iraq and Jordan -- after the present Iraqi region is
removed.  (Monte Carlo Radio, Mar.  9).
 
3.  NORTH KOREAN SHIP WITH SCUDS 
___Syria.  
___Damascus denies any connection with the vessel and says
Washington did not raise the issue with Syria.  
___Iran.  
___The Iranian press intensified its attacks against American
threats to intercept the ship for inspection.  
___The vessel meanwhile has succeeded in evading American pursuit
and arrived at the Iranian port of Bandar Shah in the Gulf. 
Another vessel under the Iranian flag was stopped for inspection by
the U.S.  Navy, which let it continue on its way.  (Reuters, Mar. 
10).
 
4.  EGYPT 
___The assistant minister of the interior related (Mar.  10) to
reports about the disclosure of an underground organization; he
said the interrogation of its members showed it wanted to overthrow
the regime and set up an Islamic state with Iranian and Iraqi
financing.  (ME news agency, Mar.  10).  They used a computer
company as camouflage for their activities, when they were arrested
last month.  They had cells all over Egypt and also had
non-Egyptian members.  (ME news agency, Mar.  9).
 
5.  SAUDIA 
___King Fahd has received a message of congratulations from Pres. 
Bush on the occasion of the publication of new internal reforms in
Saudia, and praising the king for this.  
___The Saudi press continues to demand putting Saddam Hussein of
Iraq on trial.
 
6.  IRAQ 
___The Iraqi deputy premier, Tariq Aziz, told the UN Security
Council chairman (Mar.  10) Iraq's main goal is to remove UN
sanctions.  In Baghdad, the health minister said about 22,000
Iraqis had died in the past two months because of the sanctions,
and 8,000 children died of disease during that period.  (Reuters,
Mar.  11).

 ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 16-MAR-1992
 
1. ARAB MEETING IN BEIRUT 
___Arab foreign ministers involved in the peace process will
probably have their Beirut meeting on Mar. 23 to assess the results
so far and check the desirability of continuing.
 
2. PALESTINIAN COUNCIL 
___In a Damascus news conference,  four  PLO  factions  (Popular 
and Democratic  Front,  Liberation  Front  and  Arab  Progressive 
Front) representing 117 members of the Palestine National  Council 
(out  of 484) said they wrote Arafat to argue that autonomy means 
eliminating the Palestine problem and the continuation  of  the 
current  process could destroy the PLO and cause damage to
Palestinian  gains  in  the past 25 years. It demanded that  the 
Palestinian  delegation  should include  representatives  from 
outside  the  Territories  and   from Jerusalem, the ending of
settlements as a precondition for talks, and dealing with the
Palestinian refugee problem under UN Res.  194,  and the
application of the Fourth Geneva  Convention,  and  full  Israeli
withdrawal. (Monte Carlo Radio, Al-Luwa'a, Mar. 10 and 15). 
___PLO spokesman Ahmed Abed-el Rahman said their note would  have 
no effect on the continued participation  of  the  Palestinians  in
 
the peace process. The PLO would not change its policy  on  the 
subject. (AFP, Mar. 15).
 
3. JORDAN 
___King Hussein visited France (Mar. 15) to meet with its leaders
and the Jordanian press says the visit is against the background 
of  the understanding shown by the Europeans in the Arab-Israeli
conflict...
 
4. INTER-ARAB CONTACTS 
___Syria. 
___Pres. Assad has gone to Egypt (Mar. 16) for an official  visit 
at the invitation of Pres. Mubarak.
 
5. EGYPT-SUDAN 
___Are discussing their border dispute. Mubarak say  they  can 
solve any artificial crisis.
 
6. TURKEY-IRAN AND HIZBULLAH 
___Turkey and Iran are in disagreement over the Cypriot ship
detained by Turkey five months ago  on  its  way  to  Iran  on 
suspicion  its military cargo was designed for Kurdish rebels. 
___Iran rejects the Turkish accusation that it supports the
Hizbullah in terrorism (together  with  PKK  Kurdish  rebels)  in 
eastern  and southern Turkey.
 
7. IRAN 
___The German publication "Stern" says  intelligence  sources 
report Iran bought two nuclear warheads and  a  medium-range 
launcher  from Kazzkhstan;  unable  to  launch  them,  it  will 
use  them  to  make copies.(AP, Mar. 15).

ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 18-MAR-1992
 
1. POLITICAL PROCESS 
___Syrian president Assad reached Cairo (Mar. 17) for a brief
visit, accompanied by his vice president and the foreign minister.
They met with Pres. Mubarak and were due to have a second session.
They discussed the peace process and the Egyptian foreign minister
said there is a tendency to continue on the basis of Territories
for Peace, a basic issue on which no concession is possible. They
also stressed the importance of coordination between them. 
___Arab diplomatic sources said Mubarak would press Assad to
continue with the process and have at least one more round of
bilateral talks before the Israeli elections. Syria is displeased
that it is still on the list of states sponsoring terrorism and
still refuses to engage in regional cooperation "until after there
is a positive initiative from Israel." 
___They also discussed the crisis over Libya and stressed their
insistence on peaceful settlements of disputes and oppose any
"aggression" against Libya.
 
___PLO and confederation with Jordan. 
___Arafat met in San'a with the premier of Yemen (Mar. 16) (PLO
Radio, Algiers, Mar. 16). Palestinian sources said the leadership
had decided to set up a committee to study the future ties between
Jordan and the Palestinians, in accordance with the Palestine
National Council decisions, the experience of the past, and the
October 1991 agreement... 
___The Popular and Democratic Fronts said they support
Jordanian-Palestinian confederation but only after a Palestinian
state is established. (AFP, Mar. 17).
 
2. JORDAN 
___King Hussein visited Bonn (Mar. 17) and met with Pres.
Weizsaecker and Chancellor Kohl, discussing  bilateral  relations, 
Jordan's  economic situation, and the situation in the Middle East.
They also reviewed the results of the last round of bilateral talks
in Washington. Germany will give an economic grant to Jordan, of an
undecided figure, but will add 5-million marks for rehabilitation
of the recent snow and storm damage.
 
3. ARAB MEETING 
___The meeting will take place after Id el Fitr (April 4-6) to
coordinate stands on the peace talks.
 
4. PLO 
___Has sent a note to the UN secretary general demanding
international protection for the Palestinian people in the
Administered Territories. (AFP, Mar. 16). A spokesman said the
Europeans have promised to bring up the Middle East conflict in the
UN Security Council if peace efforts are deadlocked.
 
5. U.S.A. 
___The American assistant secretary of state for Middle East
affairs, Edward Djerejian, has told a Congressional committee the
U.S. expects a withdrawal of Syrian forces in Lebanon to the Bekaa
area by September of this year in conformity with the Taif
Agreement, and the subject has been discussed at length with the
Syrians, who promised to respect the agreement. He said the U.S.
had not surrendered Lebanon to Syria to get participation by
Damascus in the Gulf War coalition against Iraq, and no deal was
made. (Monte Carlo Radio, Mar. 18). 
___He also told the committee the U.S. is not at the moment
planning military steps to force Iraq to abide by UN decisions, but
did not rule out any options for the future. (AFP, Mar. 17).
Defense Secretary Cheney added the U.S. was more obliged to use UN
diplomacy than force to destroy Iraqi weapons of mass destruction.
(Reuters, Mar. 17).
 
6. YEMEN 
___The Yemeni foreign minister said his country had never
acquiesced in the conquest of Kuwait, but also did not support the
destruction of Iraq. Baghdad should obey UN decisions, he said, but
Yemen opposed military force to make it do so. Demonstrations have
taken place in San'a outside the UN offices to protest against the
sanctions on Iraq. (AP, Mar. 18).
 
7. LIBYA 
___The U.S., Britain and France have circulated in the UN a draft
resolution prohibiting the sale of weapons to Libya, cutting air
links, and reducing diplomatic representation. The Libyan envoy
said this was not legitimate and close to a declaration of war. The
Arab envoys are consulting on the draft. Britain has advised the
5,000 British nationals in Libya to leave because of the
possibility of an air blockade of the country. (AP, Mar. 18).
 
8. IRAN 
___About 2,700 candidates will contest the seats in the
parliamentary election... 
 
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ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 29-MAR-1992
 
1.  POLITICAL PROCESS
 
___Lebanon.  
___Has received a U.S.  invitation to participate in the fifth
round of bilateral talks with Israel in Washington starting April
27.  In Beirut, an inter-Arab coordinating meeting will be held on
April 1 and 2.
 
___Syria.  
___Syrian official sources would not comment on the invitation to
the next round of talks, saying the Arabs are still assessing their
stand on the basis of the results of the previous rounds.  
___Syrian sources expressed concern at the statement by the US
Ambassador to Israel that Israel's qualitative military edge will
be preserved by the U.S.
 
___Palestinians.  
___The Revolutionary Council of Fatah concluded its discussions in
Tunis on Mar.  28; it praised the Palestinian negotiating team,
said continued Israeli settlements in the Territories should be
stopped as an important step in continuing the process of
negotiations, called on the US Administration to exercise concrete
pressures on Israel to withdraw, and also to renew its dialogue
with the PLO, and described the interim [autonomy] period as a
preparatory stage to a Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its
capital.  
___Concerning the proposed confederation with Jordan, Fatah adhered
to the decisions of the Palestine National Council on the "special
relationship"...with the free choice of both nations to decide. 
(PLO Radio, Mar.  28).
 
___Jordan.  
___The chief delegate told the press the important event had been
fixing an agenda, even though no progress had been made.  He said
UN Res.  242 were politically and legally obligatory, but not
militarily, and the UN will not use military force to impose this
resolution on Israel.
 
2.  LIBYA 
___The Libyan foreign minister went to Cairo (Mar.  28) to consult
with the Arab League on the crisis over the Lockerbie terrorism. 
The Egyptian foreign minister denied the Libyan allegation that the
Arab League team had refused to accept the two suspects.  
___At the Hague, Libya and the U.S., Britain and France appeared in
the International Court of Justice ; the Western countries said
Libya was using the court to block a Security Council resolution on
sanctions over refusing to hand over the two suspects for trial in
the West.  
___The Qattar paper "Ash-Sharq" (Mar.  27) warned that a UN
resolution would increase tension in the region and harm Western
interests.  
___Libyan ruler Quaddaffi said Egypt had undoubtedly gained
militarily and economically from its peace with Israel, by getting
more advanced planes and tanks [from the U.S.] than those it got
from the USSR...He said he heard Egyptians laughing at Israel
"because they gave Egypt land and Egypt gave them worthless
paper..."
 
3.  SYRIA - U.S.  
___69 members of the U.S.  Senate, headed by Senator Edward
Kennedy, signed a letter to Syria calling for changes in its human
rights policy and for an end to its support for terrorism.  These
would determine normal relations between Syria and the U.S., in
addition to free departure for Syrian Jews, ending the traffic in
drugs, withdrawing from Lebanon, distributing weapons, and
extraditing the Nazi war criminal Alois Brunner.
 
4.  IRAQ 
___UN inspection personnel have overseen destruction of missiles
Iraq has admitted possessing.  They made a surprise visit (Mar. 
28) to a site near Baghdad and decided to stay an extra day...  
___The Iraqis criticized CIA Director Gates for saying Iraq still
has hundreds of SCUD missiles, in addition to nuclear, chemical and
biological equipment.  (Iraqi news agency, Mar.  27).  
___The UN Security Council decided to retain the existing sanctions
against Iraq after a closed-door session.  
___Meanwhile, the Iraqi envoy to the UN said some progress had been
made in discussions on releasing more Iraqi oil for export, but
further talks are needed.
 
5.  LEBANON 
___The Lebanese Army is deploying another 400 soldiers, reinforced
with tanks and artillery, to the western sector of the Bekaa
Valley.  (Reuters, Mar.  27).  This is meant to deter or repel any
Israeli attack according to Lebanese military sources.  Threats of
such an attack are taken seriously.  (Voice of the People Radio,
Mar.  27).
 
6.  SAUDIA 
___King Fahd told a UAE reporter he would welcome a joint military
command for the Arab Gulf States under a defense council located in
Riyadh.  
___A Saudi paper "Akkath" (Mar.  21) said no one who can see would
agree to let Iraq retain weapons of mass destruction...and Iraq
should abandon its policy of aggression.
 
7.  TURKEY 
___Prime Minister Demirel warned Germany against suspending weapons
shipments to Turkey, and Syria against encouraging Kurdish
disturbances against Turkey.  He said the coming visit by the
Turkish interior minister to Damascus would be an opportunity to
discuss with the Syrians their support for the Kurdish dissidents
(PKK) who have bases in the Bekaa in Lebanon...
 
8.  IRAN 
___The spiritual leader Ali Khamenhei, on the occasion of
"Jerusalem [El-Quds] Day" has called on Palestinians to confront
Israel, "that state of terror", and on the Moslem World to struggle
against Israel.  
___Pres.  Rafsanjani denounced any compromise at the expense of
Palestinian rights, and said the problem of Palestine influences
the entire Moslem World.  
 
 

ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 6-APR-1992 
 
1. LIBYA.  The U.S. has ordered its citizens in Libya to leave
immediately before the UN sanctions resolution goes into effect on
April 15 (AFP, Apr. 4). The Russian foreign Ministry said it would
begin evacuating about 3,000 CIS citizens in Libya if it does not
obey the Security Council decision by the fixed date. The Arab
League committee on the Libyan-Lockerbie crisis meets in Cairo on
Apr. 7 at Tunisia's request. (AP, Apr. 5). The secretary general of
the Islamic Conference criticized the UN resolution, saying it
intensified the crisis needlessly.
 
2. NEXT ROUND OF BILATERAL TALKS 
Lebanon. The Lebanese foreign minister said the Arabs had decided
to submit a joint list to the U.S. of 10 cities for continuing
bilateral talks. They do not include any sites in the Middle East.
The preferred city in the list is Rome, and the UN headquarters in
New York is also included. In Jerusalem, Faisal Husseini and Saeb
Arekat gave the U.S. and Russian envoys their agreement for
continued Palestinian participation in the bilateral talks, as well
as a list of preferred cities for their continuation. ("Al-Quds"
Apr. 6).
 
3. EGYPT - SUDAN.  Two Sudanese policemen were killed in a clash on
the Egyptian border on April 3, in a disputed frontier zone.
 
4. IRAQ - IRAN.  The Iraqi foreign minister announced in a note to
the UN Security Council that Iranian planes carried out four
attacks on Iraqi territory (Apr. 5) and two of the eight planes
were shot down. Iraq warned Iran of severe punishment if aggression
is practiced against Iraqi territory. Iraq also complained to the
Arab League. Monte Carlo Radio (Apr. 5) says the attack was
directed against the dissident Iranian Mujaheddin Halq in the
El-Ittim area in the Diali sector in Iraq, about 80 km. northeast
of Baghdad. Iran has not reacted officially, but Teheran TV said
the pilots were looking for a group of attackers and when they
found them they bombed them. The attack was in retaliation for a
Mujaheddin raid on villages in Western Iran... Hundreds of Iranian
dissident exiles attacked five Iranian embassies or consulates in
Europe and North America in protest against the air raid -- in NY,
Bonn and Hamburg, they succeeded in entering the buildings and
causing damage. (AP, Apr. 5).
 
5. SAUDIA.  The Saudi press said that the fact that Israel did not
get the loan guarantees from the U.S. influenced her attitude
negatively toward the residents of the Administered Territories.
The Security Council condemnation of the Gaza clash when four
Palestinians were killed is an indication to Israel that in the new
world order there is no place for violence and force. (Saudi news
agency, Apr. 5).
 
6. IRAQ.  A UN inspection team for chemical weapons arrived in
Baghdad (Apr. 5). It includes 14 men and will stay 8 days. It will
build a furnace and a hydrolizator to destroy more than 40,000
chemical warheads. (AP, Apr. 5).
 
7. TURKEY.  The deputy premier again warned Syria of Kurdish rebels
getting sanctuary in the Lebanese Bekaa under Syrian control. He
asked till when this would go on -- and it was happening under
control of a state which claims it is friendly to Turkey. (Aldula
Paris, Mar. 23).
 
8. SYRIA.  The Syrian news agency quotes (Apr. 5) an interview by
Pres. Bush to the Insight program on the Voice of America (Apr. 4)
when he said relations with Syria were stronger than ever and he
thinks American credibility in the Middle East region has improved.
Pres. Assad published (Apr. 2) a general pardon for prisoners to
mark the beginning of his new term of office. (Damascus Radio, Apr.
2).
 
9. IRAN.  Iran has called on the Inter-Parliamentary Union
conference in Cameroon (Apr. 5) to include on its agenda the
Israeli occupation of South Lebanon, and the American threat to
Libya. (Teheran Radio, Apr. 5). Delegates from 90 countries will
participate...
 
10 TURKEY - IRAN - CENTRAL ASIA. The Turkish deputy premier
referred to rivalry between Turkey and Iran in the Central Asian
Islamic republics. He said this is not a confrontation but
differences of opinion on religious philosophy. Turkey is a secular
state and thinks this is the modern system for Islam. Iran has a
different outlook, fundamentalism and wants to export it beyond its
borders. (Aldula Paris, Mar. 23).
 
 
                    

 ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 7-APR-1992
 
1.  LIBYA
 
 The ruler Quadaffi met in Tripoli (Apr.  6) with Egyptian
presidential adviser and special envoy of Pres.  Mubarak, Osama
el-Baz.  The Tunisian foreign minister is discussing the UN
sanctions against Libya with his Moroccan counterpart.  (Libyan
news agency, Reuters, ME news agency, Apr.  6) The European
Community announced (Apr.  6) it has called on Libya to obey Res. 
748, and the European Community countries will also join the
sanctions if it does not obey.  (Reuters, Apr.  6).  The special
Arab League committee for the Libyan crisis began its deliberations
in Cairo on Apr.  7 to find a mechanism for handing over the two
Libyan terrorist suspects in the Lockerbie case.  (Reuters, ME news
agency, Apr.  6).  The Syrian foreign minister is in Cairo (Apr. 
6) to take part in the Arab League committee meeting.  He said a
peaceful solution must be found, and called on the UN Security
Council to pay heed to what the Arabs are saying in this matter. 
(ME news agency, Apr.  6).  The "Al Quds" newspaper in East
Jerusalem reports sentiment in the Administered Territories (Apr. 
7) regarding the biased attitude of the West, "hiding" behind the
UN to oppose Libya but rejecting repeated Palestinian and Arab
demands to apply the Fourth Geneva Convention in the Territories.
 
2.  IRAN - IRAQ
 
 Iran.  The foreign ministry admitted the loss of one Iranian plane
over Iraqi territory and demanded that Baghdad return the two
pilots.  At the same time, it demanded that Iraq suppress the
Mujaheddin dissident Iranian groups acting from its territory
against Iran.  (AFP, Apr.  6).  Iran told the UN the air raid was
an act of retaliation against a Mujaheddin base in Iraq, not an
initiated attack.  (CNN, Apr.  7)
 
 Iraq.  Iraq has demanded that the UN take "immediate, significant
action" against Iran...CNN reports that, in reaction to the Iranian
attack, Iraq has launched fighter planes in violation of the
ceasefire regulations.
 
 Qattar.  The Qattar paper "Al-Raya" (Apr.  6) hopes there will be
no escalation between these two Moslem states...(Qattar news
agency, Apr.  6).
 
 Jordan.  "Ad-Destour" (Apr.  6) denounces the Iranian bombing of
Iraq, and hopes it is a onetime action and will not recur.
 
3.  IRAN
 
 The Mujaheddin Halek groups abroad have reacted to Iran's attack
by attacking Iranian diplomatic missions in Germany, Britain,
France, Sweden Norway, Canada, Holland, Switzerland, the UN, and
Australia.  Teheran Radio has warned Iraq that if it does not break
off all contact with the Mujaheddin, it will suffer.  (AP, Apr. 
6).  The Iranian foreign ministry summoned Western envoys to
protest against the attacks on Iranian missions in their countries
and to demand the extradition of suspects, damages for the
destruction, and increased protection and security for Iranian
diplomats, under the Vienna Convention.  (Iranian TV, Apr.  6). 
The radical Iranian paper "Avrar" blames the US for inciting the
Mujaheddin attacks to upset the elections to the Iranian
parliament.  (AP, Apr.  6).  Teheran Radio says the attacks are a
planned plot by the West and its mercenaries against Iran.  (AP,
Apr.  6).
 
4.  POLITICAL PROCESS
 
 Palestinians.  Nabil Sh'ath of the PLO and Hanan Ashrawi, the
delegation spokeswoman, are in Sweden (Apr.  6).  They said there
are no points of common agreement in the documents on autonomy
submitted by the Israelis and Palestinians to each other. 
"Clearly, Israel wants to retain territory, to continue settling,
and to be the source of authority," they said.  "We say, no."
Palestinian figures will meet in Cairo on Apr.  10 to discuss the
next round of bilateral talks in Washington on Apr.  27.
 
 Lebanon.  Is consulting with Syria.  It wants to condition its
participation in multi-lateral talks on progress in the bilateral
talks.  (Voice of the People Radio, Apr.  6).  The speaker of
parliament accused Israel of trying to prevent Lebanon from
fulfilling its political and economic role in the region.  (Voice
of Islam and Voice of the Homeland Radios, Apr.  6).  Lebanese
sources say the US is preparing a compromise solution between
Lebanon and Israel, embodying the South Lebanon Army in the
Lebanese National Army, ending "resistance" [i.e.  terrorist]
actions in South Lebanon, and arranging a withdrawal in stages by
Israel from Lebanese territory within 18 months of the signing of
an agreement.
 
 U.S.A.  Egyptian sources, quoted by Kuwaiti reporters, say
Secretary of State Baker has called off his planned trip to the
Middle East, and instead will confer with the Arab delegations at
the Washington bilateral talks.
 
5.  SECURITY COUNCIL RESOLUTION ON GAZA CLASH
 
 Arafat said in Khartoum after meeting with the Sudanese leader
they are disappointed with the resolution which encourages Israel
to continue "her crimes against the Palestinian people." The
Jordanian paper "Al-Rai" criticizes the resolution for not imposing
sanctions on Israel like those against Libya and Iraq.
 
6.  EGYPT - SUDAN
 
 The Egyptian foreign minister sent a note was sent to the Sudanese
leader about the recent border clash in disputed territory.  (ME
news agency, Apr.6)
 
7.  SYRIA - LEBANON - ISRAEL
 
 Sources in Damascus warn against the growing tension in South
Lebanon and express concern over Israeli military activity in the
zone.  They say the sea and air siege of the area by Israel is
preparation for wide-ranging military action.  (Qattar news agency,
Apr.  6).
 
8.  IRAQ - VATICAN
 
 A three-member delegation from the Vatican is on a one-week visit
to Iraq (from Apr.  6).  It is on a humanitarian mission to examine
needs...
 
9.  SAUDIA
 
 The paper "Al-Jezzirah" (Apr.  6) says Washington, as the leader
of the new world order and because of its influence on Israel, has
found itself in a crisis of credibility.  Despite the frantic
assaults of the Zionist lobby, the paper says, Washington sent
warning signals to the Shamir government.  This is a historic
change in the relationships between the US and Israel.  The Bush
Administration intends to break away from the "spoiled child." The
paper thinks this will be done after the Israeli elections. 
(Riyadh Radio, Apr.  6).  
 

 

ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 8-APR-1992
 
1.  LIBYA
 
 The Arab League secretary general said in Cairo (Apr.  8) he would
transfer a new Libyan proposal to the UN secretary-general on the
Lockerbie terrorism case in which Libya accepts UN Res.  731 of
last January -- but Libya wants a guarantee that the two terrorist
suspects would not be handed over to the U.S., according to Arab
League sources.  The UN envoy, Vladimir Petrovsky, was greeted by
angry demonstrators.  He met with the ruler, Quaddaffi, but no
results were announced.  The authorities promised there would not
be further attacks on foreign diplomatic missions.
 
2.  THE PEACE PROCESS
 
 Further attacks on Israel by the president of the Jordanian Senate
and the Jordanian media, for allegedly blocking peace.  The Syrian
Army issued an order of the day saying "Syria is determined to
confront the Israeli entity's plots of aggression and
expansionism." Syria regards the Israeli and Western-supported
information campaign against it as an attempt to harm its good name
in the West and cover Israeli activity which is obstructing peace. 
In Saudi Arabia, "Al-Youm" says the heightened pace of Jewish
settlement on the occupied land is another indication of Israeli
opposition to peace.  These settlements destroy the basis for
negotiations and they can only be stopped by military force or
international pressure accompanied by sanctions which will affect
the essential needs of Israeli society.  (Saudi news service, Apr. 
7).
 
3.  SOUTH LEBANON
 
 The Lebanese political reform minister, Taher Al-Khatib (a Sunni)
said the main way to liberate the land is by resistance (i.e. 
armed activity) and negotiations should not be agreed to, over any
part of the land.  He said the latest Islamic Jihad attack on an
Israeli convoy was the option of those whose land is occupied and
a reply to Zionist racist violence and the youth of the resistance
would not allow the Israelis to pollute the land with their feet. 
(Radio Nur, Apr.  7) The Syrian defense minister said (Apr.  6) his
country helped to liberate Lebanon with aid to the national
resistance forces; Israel plans to strike a blow at the Lebanese
resistance but Syria stands by it and will not allow Israel to
strike such a blow.  (Voice of the Homeland Radio, Radio Nur, Apr. 
7).
 
4.  IRAQ - IRAN
 
 The Iraqi paper "Ath-Thawra" attacks Iran (Apr.  7) for aggression
which serves as an opening to American-Zionist aggression, but Iraq
is willing to open a new page in relations.  The Iranian envoy to
the UN said Iran is ready to cooperate with the UN over the
Mujaheddin dissident groups, and wants good relations with its
neighbors.
 
5.  IRAQ
 
 The UN inspection team for nuclear installations said (Apr.  7)
Iraq has agreed to destroy buildings and equipment for producing
nuclear weapons at Al Athir.  It has accepted the proposals of the
International Atomic energy agency regarding Al Athir, and
destruction will begin Apr.  8.  (Reuters, Apr.  7).
 
6.  SYRIA - IRAQ
 
 Informed sources in Damascus denied reports of Syrian openness
toward Iraq, saying they are rumors ...  Syria regards Iraq as
responsible for the current state of affairs among the Arabs.  (ME
news agency, Apr.  7, quoting Al-Qabbas of that date).  
 
 
 

ARAB MEDIA SURVEY 13-APR-1992
 
1.  LIBYA
 
 The Arab League committee for the Libyan crisis met in Rabat and
conferred with Moroccan King Hassan.  Libya is demanding a
guarantee that if it extradites the two terrorist suspects in the
Lockerbie case, there will be no further demands or claims
regarding acts of violence by other Libyans.  (Reuters, ME news
agency, Apr.  12, 13).  Libya has proclaimed a day of mourning on
Apr.  15 (it is also the anniversary of the 1986 U.S.  air attack
on Libya).  All flights and transport and communications and post
will be stilled on that day.  (Reuters, Libyan news agency, Apr. 
12).  Egyptian Pres.  Mubarak arrived in Tripoli (Apr.  12) after
visiting Algeria and Tunisia, and met with Libyan ruler Quaddaffi
and his deputy, Jalloud.  On his way back to Cairo, he told
reporters Libya accepted UN Res.  731 and had notified the UN of
this.  (ME news agency, Apr.  12).  Monte Carlo Radio said (Apr. 
12) Quaddaffi agreed to hand the suspects over to the U.S.  or
Britain, but on condition that they would be tried in a court made
up of countries in the UN Security Council.  [This proposal is not
mentioned by any other source].
 
2.  PLO
 
 The Central Council will meet on May 8.  Arafat chaired a meeting
of the PLO Exec.  Committee (Apr.  12).
 
3.  PALESTINIANS
 
 The Cairo seminar began, (see edition of Sunday Apr.  12) with
Nabil Sh'ath listing priorities in the peace process from the
Palestinian point of view.  Israeli psychology and strategy were
discussed...(Egyptian press, Apr.  11).  Faisal Husseini has
appointed a security detainee as a member of the Palestinian
delegation (Abdel Fatah Hamail).
 
4.  IRAQ -- IRAN
 
 The foreign minister sent a protest to Iran after the Iranian air
attack of last week.
 
5.  IRAQ -- KURDS
 
 The Kurdish leader Barazani said the talks with Baghdad would be
renewed if the Iraqi government removes the economic siege of
Kurdistan in force since the talks were suspended in October 1991.
 
6.  IRAN
 
 The election results so far show the pragmatists won a major
victory...
 
7.  LEBANON
 
 The defense minister went to Damascus for talks with the Syrians
on military matters, including the implementation of the next phase
of the Taif Agreement.  The premier also went to Damascus.  Pres. 
H'rawi said he is ready for an international team to supervise the
elections in Lebanon this summer.
 
8.  TURKEY
 
 French Pres.  Mitterand has begun his official two-day visit to
Turkey (Mme.  Mitterand did not come, in protest against Turkey's
treatment of the Kurds).  The purpose is to discuss Turkish ties
with the European Community.  (AP, Apr.  12).
 
 
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ARAB MEDIA SURVEY  Apr. 12, 1992
 
1.  LIBYA
 
The UN secretary general met twice over the weekend in Geneva with
the Libyan foreign minister in a last-minute effort to avoid
sanctions under the Security Council resolution...He said he had no
solution to offer but would like to get Libya to fulfill the
demands of Res.  731..
 
Egypt.  Pres.  Mubarak hoped the Libyans would be able to accept
the resolution for their own good, since no one else could decide
for them.  The only solution was for Libya to offer satisfactory
proposals.  (ME news agency, Apr.  11).
 
Iraq.  A large Iraqi delegation headed by Sa'ad Hamouda, sec.-gen. 
of the conference of Arab Popular Forces, will shortly go to Libya. 
(Iraqi news agency, Apr.  9).
 
Yemen.  The president spoke by telephone with Libyan ruler
Quaddaffi to express solidarity.  (Qattar news agency, Apr.  10). 
A Libyan delegation is visiting Yemen.  (ME news agency, Apr.  8).
 
2.  POLITICAL PROCESS.
 
Palestinians.  The peace-process delegation went to Cairo for a
seminar on how to negotiate with Israel on the basis of Egypt's
Camp David experience.  Faisal Husseini said in no circumstances
will the Palestinians leave the peace talks, but they would not
allow them to be exploited for the sake of the Israeli elections. 
The delegation leader, Haidar Abdul Shafi said they would go to
Washington without expectation of anything positive from the
Israeli delegation...
 
Syria.  The foreign minister met with the U.S.  State Department
delegation visiting Middle Eastern capitals...  The defense
minister called for alertness to prevent Israel from using the
Buenos Aires terrorist attack as an excuse for aggression --
despite "the announcement by the president of Argentina that a
young German woman of the Red Army faction carried out the attack,"
he claimed.  The paper "Ath-Thawra" (Apr.  10) said the fuss about
Syrian rearmament and the military threats against Syria are a
transparent attempt to foist responsibility on Syria for the
tension and the elimination of the peace process, and to cause an
atmosphere that would justify Israeli aggression against Syria,
allowing Israel "to kill two birds with one stone: i.e.  exploding
the peace process and neutralizing the Arab force embodied in
Syria."
 
Lebanon.  The president said the peace talks will achieve no
progress before the U.S.  elections, and he called on the Arabs to
unite in preventing Israel from destroying the peace talks.  He
said he had promised Pres.  Bush no shot would be fired at Israel
from Lebanon if Israel implements UN Res.  425 for withdrawing from
South Lebanon.  He hoped the U.S.  would again help arm the
Lebanese Army so it could ensure the peace and rule of law in
Lebanese territory.  Meanwhile, the Lebanese defense minister says
the Syrians will not carry out the Taif Agreement provision to
withdraw their troops from Lebanon's Bekaa Valley as scheduled this
September, but only after Israel implements UN Res.  425 to
withdraw from South Lebanon.  ("Al-Douliya" Paris Apr.  6).
 
3.  ARAFAT'S PLANE CRASH
 
The PLO Central Council meeting has been postponed indefinitely
because of Arafat's injuries...Arafat returned to Tunis and was
visited by Pres.  Mubarak of Egypt...The Palestinian peace-talks
delegation leader Haidar Abdel Shafi said the accident changed U.S. 
perceptions of the PLO and Washington now appreciates Arafat's
stand in the peace process....
 
4.  SYRIA -- IRAQ -- PLO
 
The Syrian defense minister said Saddam Hussein and his assistant
Arafat did a valuable service to the U.S.  during the Gulf
War...and history will record the damage Saddam did to the Arab
nation.  He asserted the Syrian troops in the Gulf War did not kill
a single Iraq.  ("As-Safir" Apr.  7).
 
5.  IRAN
 
First partial results in the election showed a majority for the
"pragmatic" camp of Pres.  Rafsanjani, with many new members of
parliament.(AP Apr.  11).
 
6.  IRAQ -- SECURITY COUNCIL
 
The UN inspection team for nuclear weapons said 90 percent of the
equipment at the El-Athir complex has already been destroyed,
including buildings.  Iraq has demanded that the UN teams stop
their U-2 surveillance plane flights, in view of Iranian attacks on
Iraq.  (Reuters, Apr.  11).  The Security Council replied that Iraq
would face grave consequences if it obstructed U-2 flights.  (AP,
Apr.  11).
 
7.  IRAQ -- IRAN
 
Iraq sent notes to all parliaments claiming innocence in the
Iranian attack and the wish for good neighborly relations.  The
media continue attacking Iran, accusing it of ambitions of
territorial expansion and attacking Arab solidarity.
 
8.  IRAQ -- VATICAN
 
The deputy premier met with the Vatican delegation head, Monsignor
Wagner, and called for sanctions to be removed, and thanked the
Vatican for its efforts in this respect.
 
9.  KURDISH DEVELOPMENTS
 
Iraq.  Kurdish leader Barazani said Iraqi forces may be starting an
attack on certain points in the north...
 
Turkey.  The PKK rebel leader said it will be "a hot summer" in
Turkey and 10,000 Kurds will soon start attacking...   
 
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