1. Hussein ill

AP 1/26/99: "King Hussein is flying to the United States today for urgent medical treatment after suffering symptoms suspected to mean a possible recurrence of cancer, his doctor said.

Hussein, 63, returned home last Tuesday from six months of treatment for non-Hodgkins lymphoma at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minn. Lt. Gen. Samir Farraj, Hussein's private physician, said the monarch suffered from ``low blood counts and fever and I, as well as doctors from the Mayo Clinic, thought it is best to send him back to the clinic for checkups and treatment.''

Farraj spoke to The Associated Press before his departure with Hussein. He declined to provide other details, saying the palace would issue a detailed statement later today. Hussein's trip came hours after it was announced that he had appointed his eldest son, Abdullah, 36, as his future successor, replacing his brother, Prince Hassan, 51.

In a letter to Hassan, the king said he was disappointed in his brother's performance during his lengthy absence. The letter said Hassan had acted as if Hussein was never coming back to the throne..."

2. Hero Sharon

Moscow's NTV 1/21/99: "Studio interview with Israeli Foreign Minister Ari'el Sharon by announcer Svetlana Sorokina:

[Sorokina] Hello. This is the "Hero of the Day" program on the air. It is said about my guest today that he can achieve peace because he knows the cost of war. He took part in several wars. A combat general and now Israel's Foreign Minister, Ari'el Sharon is ending his visit to Russia.

Greetings, Mr. Sharon...

[Sorokina] Why do you think--or at least you said this before coming here--that despite everything, Russia's participation in a Middle Eastern settlement is very important and that Russia's role here is even increasing?

[Sharon] The way I look at, Russia is a superpower. It may well be that it has problems at present but in the size of its population and area it is not just a state but a whole continent. It also has colossal mineral resources and an extremely distinctive culture.

All of this makes Russia a state of very great importance, of primary importance. I am sure that the people of Russia will overcome their difficulties and that Russia will once again occupy its proper place in the world.

[Sorokina] Mr. Minister, what about Russia's position vis-a-vis Iraq and the latest situation--the recent war--has this in some way changed relations between Israel and Russia?

[Sharon] Iraq has nuclear knowledge and potential; it possesses chemical weapons; it still has missiles. And, therefore, we consider that Iraq is a very great danger, not only to Israel but to the whole region. From our point of view, any weakening of monitoring of Iraq could lead to Iraq's being able to produce nuclear weapons within two or three years, because it has the necessary knowledge and the specialists.

[Sorokina] The point is that Russia has its own particular position on Iraq. To what extent does this influence relations between our countries?

[Sharon] It is quite clear to me that Russia is aware of the existing danger. I think that differences in approaches lie in deciding how to resolve this problem.

[Sorokina] Do you have ideas of how it can be resolved?

[Sharon] This is one of those questions which should be left to state talks.

[Sorokina] Mr. Sharon, you said that in order to achieve a firm peace with your Arab neighbors, it is essential to make major concessions. What major concessions might these be?

[Sharon] Israel is the only state in the world--I do not know of any other state which has been prepared to make and which actually has made concessions in giving up the territory of its state, its homeland, areas where the Jewish people originated 4,000 years ago.

No other state in the world would be prepared to do that. But these concessions should be such as to give us the opportunity to exist in peace and security.

[Sorokina] What do you think about the intentions of the Palestinian side unilaterally to declare the creation of an independent state in the very near future?

[Sharon] I think that this will be a very major mistake on their part. Israel is opposed to unilateral decisions. This is contrary to the Norwegian agreement and also the agreement reached in Wye Plantation and signed in Washington. And if they do this, it will force us, although we do not wish to do this, also to undertake a number of steps.

I have appealed to the Russian Foreign Minister, Mr. Ivanov, with whom I had an extremely useful conversation--he received me quite amazingly--I explained this question to him and said that if there is something important that Russia can do, this would be to explain this question to the Palestinian Authority and its leadership. No unilateral decision will be acceptable to us.

[Sorokina] Mr. Sharon, almost every year potential soldiers arrive in Israel from Russia--our emigres. How well do they perform as servicemen?

[Sharon] They are fine soldiers. But they come to us primarily not as soldiers. They serve, just as each of us serves, in the army. However, the million Jews who have come to Israel from Russia have made a vast contribution to the development of our country, in all areas.

This has been a gigantic contribution, and I call on Jews in Russia and in all countries of the CIS to repatriate to Israel. If there is something which is important at the present it is to repatriate to Israel and as soon as possible.

[Sorokina] And to what extent is the state able to take in a million Jews?

[Sharon] All the Jews. I have said that we can accept all Jews living in the world...During this visit to Russia, I have spoken of the danger of anti- Semitism. I am convinced that the Russian government will take all necessary steps to halt the anti-Semitic utterances and speeches which have been heard here recently.

What distinguished these events is that they took place in the Duma, that is, allegedly officially. I understand that in reality this was not the case, but that is precisely how it was seen. We cannot reconcile ourselves to this. This is unacceptable to us. I discussed this matter during all my conversations here.

[Sorokina] I have one more question concerning our own economy. Russian-Israeli cooperation envisages the supply of Russian gas to Israel via Turkey. It is being said here that you are one of the initiators of this project. Is this the case?

[Sharon] I believe in the common interests of Russia and Israel. I believe in economic cooperation, strategic cooperation. I would like to see greater participation by Russia in the peace process. We understand Russia's strategic interests, but, of course, this should be constructed on a balanced approach, on equality in relations with us and with the Arabs.

And, of course, deliveries of weapons and the latest technologies to the Arab states and to Iran is a great danger for us but not only for us. But I am deeply grateful for the invitation that I received to visit Russia.

We are interested in ensuring that a new chapter will open in our relations and that this should be in accord with Russia's occupying its appropriate place in the world in the new period.

[Sorokina] Thank you, Mr. Sharon."

London's AL SHARQ AL AWSAT 1/22/99--Interview with Muhammad Dahlan, head of the Palestinian Preventive Security Service in the Gaza Strip, by an unidentified correspondent:

[Al-Sharq al-Awsat] Many people believe that the Wye River agreement made the Palestinian Authority [PA] a hostage to Israel.

[Dahlan] First, this is a slogan we have heard from those who do not want the peace process or from some countries and parties hostile to the PA. We are not against anyone criticizing any agreement we make but the Arab citizen or reader should understand that the Israeli Government's fall and the holding of elections were evidence that this agreement was, from Netanyahu's viewpoint, against Israel's interests.

Netanyahu went to the United States with no desire to conclude an agreement. However, during the last three days [of the meetings], and following US pressure and because of the Palestinian side's adamant refusal to have its essence changed, he was compelled to accept the agreement, one part of which dealt with security while the second was totally political.

Netanyahu laid down four conditions for accepting the political part of the agreement. The first was the amendment of the [PLO] Charter, the second was the handover of those he called killers, the third was the cancellation of the declaration of the Palestinian state, and the fourth was nonimplementation of the agreement in full.

I do not believe that Netanyahu succeeded in achieving any one of his four conditions. I do not believe that the agreement created new restrictions for us, not because the agreement was frozen but because the obligations we undertook do not strategically harm the Palestinian people's interests.

We had hoped to implement our obligations in return for Israel's implementation of its obligation to return the land to the PA. But when we discovered that Israel had started to violate it by releasing civilian and not political prisoners, we immediately stopped implementing our obligations under the agreement.

[Al-Sharq al-Awsat] But new restrictions were imposed on you and these are manifested in the larger CIA role in Palestinian affairs. To what extent is the CIA involved in internal Palestinian affairs?

[Dahlan] First, the name CIA is repugnant to the Arab citizen and the Palestinian in particular. We wanted a new witness in the security issue when negotiating with Israel because the latter held the view that this issue was the essence of the conflict with it.

We wanted to remove the Israelis' excuse and agreed that it should not be simultaneously a party and a judge in the dispute with us. We therefore asked that a third party, an American or European party, should be present as a witness during the negotiations about the security issue. Israel certainly does not want this and only one security meeting has been held so far in the presence of the US side, because Israel rejects it.

I believe that the presence of the US side as a witness in the negotiations about the security issue backed and bolstered the PA more than it did Israel for the simple reason that we were always accused 100 percent of the time and are now accused 60-70 percent of the time. That is political progress in our view.

The belief that the CIA is giving instructions to the PA and interfering in internal Palestinian affairs is not true and is exaggerated. I believe that the CIA does not interfere with the PA as much as it does with some Arab countries. Secondly, we will not allow it or any other body to interfere in our internal affairs, especially in security matters, because the PA's strength lies in the security sphere and not the military one as some are trying to claim.

We have the strength and ability to confront any authority, state, or negotiator over the security issue because all its elements of strength, unlike the political issue, are in our hands and not with the other side.

[Al-Sharq al-Awsat] What fields do the cooperation and coordination between the Palestinian security services and the CIA cover?

[Dahlan] Things have become different in practice after Israel froze the agreement. Regarding the bilateral cooperation with the US Administration--and Israel has nothing to do with this other than what the agreement says--we have relations with this administration at all the political, economic, and security levels.

We are cooperating with the US Administration just like any country in the Middle East. Propaganda is now being disseminated to the effect that the CIA has opened offices in the PA areas. I assert that no such offices have been opened as of this moment, though I am politically inclined toward having CIA offices opened in the US consulate in occupied Jerusalem or somewhere else because this would upgrade the level of political recognition of the PA.

So far, the United States does not want to open trade, economic, security, or other offices in the PA areas. Therefore exaggerating the CIA's role in these areas is part of a campaign targeting the PA...

[Al-Sharq al-Awsat] There are charges of violations against Hamas detainees.

[Dahlan] Such as?

[Al-Sharq al-Awsat] Such as their not being tried yet.

[Dahlan] Everyone should know that we live in unusual circumstances. I will reveal a secret to you, namely that the demand for trying the Hamas detainees is an Israeli one and this is why we do not want to try them.

[Al-Sharq al-Awsat] Does the PA intend to hand over Palestinian detainees wanted by Israel and has it done so in the past?

[Dahlan] We did not hand over any Palestinian detainee to Israel in the past and will not do so either now or in the future. We fought a negotiations battle with Netanyahu over this issue in the presence of Presidents Clinton and 'Arafat.

Netanyahu finally abandoned the principle of extradition and was content with letting the PA arrest those suspected of or involved in the acts of killing Israelis.

[Al-Sharq al-Awsat] What happened during the meeting between you and US President Bill Clinton?

[Dahlan] I must first explain that the meeting was not closed but was attended by brother Amin al-Hindi, chairman of the Palestinian Security Committee, the Israeli Defense Minister, and his assistant. It was basically a matter of negotiations during which we presented our stand on an number of issues related to the principles of extradition, arrests, prisoners, detainees, the Israeli settlers' terrorist actions, and Hamas's armed actions.

President Clinton understood our stand and supported it following our strong argument on all these issues. I believe that the US Administration generally exerted good efforts in making us reach the Wye River agreement.

[Al-Sharq al-Awsat] It is said that Muhammad Dahlan is a face acceptable to the United States.

[Dahlan] I hope so. I am not against it. But I want it to be acceptable to the sons of my people. This is the real yardstick for me. My main objective is to satisfy my people who are undergoing a big ordeal. I personally do not try to appease the US or Israeli side in the negotiations.

[Al-Sharq al-Awsat] Many names were recently mentioned, yours among them, which the United States is wagering on to succeed 'Arafat.

[Dahlan] First of all, the United States cannot decide who will succeed 'Arafat because the Palestinian people have exercised the democracy of rifles for 30 years. Secondly, we are still in the stage of national liberation and no one dares to conclude an alliance with any country, whether the United States or Israel, in order to seize power by force.

Thirdly and more importantly, President 'Arafat has set up democratic establishments in the PA, foremost of them the Legislative Council. Therefore I believe that mentioning names to succeed brother Abu-'Ammar ['Arafat] falls under the banner of incitement and is meant to spoil the relationship between these persons and President 'Arafat..."

4. Secret religious peace plan?

YEDIOT AHARONOT 1/21/99: "The chief Israeli cabalist Rabbi Yitzhaq Kaduri, yesterday welcomed "Operation Genesis," -- which was disclosed in Yedi'ot Aharonot two days ago -- according to which the leading Lithuanian sect rabbis accept a Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital in return for the continuation of Jewish settlement in Judaea and Samaria.

The rabbi commented for the first time to the plan presented to the former chief Sephardic Rabbi Mordekhay Eliyahu in a secret meeting, and said that "the attempts to bring about unification of the ultra-Orthodox camp by creating joint positions on various issues whether religious or political is a welcome move and will lead to Israeli unification, the redemption, and the coming of the messiah."

The rabbi also said that "uniting the ultra-Orthodox camp within the framework of 'Operation Genesis' should be carried out as soon as possible."

The rabbi's grandson Yosi Kaduri said details of the plan were sent to the rabbi a week ago by members of the Lithuanian Rebbe Leib Steinmann's emissaries in order to put him in the picture. "Rabbi Kaduri's position is similar to that of the Lithuanians," the grandson said.

"His position on peace is that there is a need for compromise and mutual concessions, and that anything that leads to additional settlement in Israel is helpful." The grandson also said that Rebe Steinmann's people want to meet with Rabbi Kaduri on the matter and added that "it should be done as soon as possible."

Nevertheless, he noted that the rabbi is interested in meeting with Rabbi Schach [United Torah Jewry's rabbi and reported to be one of the father's of the plan] and only after that with Rabbi Steinmann.

[ Jerusalem Qol Yisra'el in English at 1500 GMT on 21 January adds: "The son of Rabbi Eli'ezer Menahem Schach has denied that his father devised a peace plan involving the recognition of a Palestinian state with its capital East Jerusalem in exchange for a Palestinian agreement to allow 600,000 Jewish settlers in the territories.

Dr. Efrayim Schach said that his father's health has been poor in recent years and he does not make reference to politics or answer politicians' questions. Efrayim Schach expressed displeasure over the use of his father's name by those who consider themselves close to him.

He said that he asked his father about the plan, but that he did not react, and that unlike the past, Rabbi Schach has not come out in support of any candidate for prime minister."]

5. Beilin's secret plan

GLOBES 1/20/99: "In a move designed to put the topic of the Palestinian State beyond the reach of elections propaganda and get it off the regional agenda, MK [Knesset Member] Yosi Beilin (Labor) has initiated a move whereby the proposed declaration of the Palestinian State will be postponed from May 4, 1999 to January 1, 2000.

This would be done in return for a European Union announcement that it sees the founding of an independent Palestinian state as the conclusion of the process. The Oslo accord team, reassembled on Beilin's initiative, is behind the plan.

The team has representatives from the European Union, the United States, Russia, Egypt, Jordan and Norway. The plan calls for the team members, with the exception of the US representative, to address the following proposal to Palestinian Authority chairman Yasir 'Arafat and Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu:

… that the interim agreement be extended from May 4, 1999, to January 1, 2000. Pending that time, the Wye accord will be implemented, negotiations will commence on the third pullback, unilateral moves will be suspended, as also will the Palestinian declaration of independence and the founding of settlements, and the permanent settlement talks will resume with a view to establishing a Palestinian state.

If he accepts the proposal, 'Arafat will have European, Russian and Arab support for an independent state, in return for delaying his announcement of its establishment. At the present juncture, such an announcement is liable to result in bloodletting in the Territories.

According to sources close to the proposal, its essential elements were leaked this morning by the Prime Minister's Office, in an effort to torpedo it. Beilin's associates said that at this stage, plans to implement such a move had been postponed due to the Labor Party's internal political considerations, and not because of any leak...

EU emissary to the Middle East Miguel Angel Moratinos denied reports that "the European Union will ask the Palestinian Authority to postpone the declaration of the Palestinian state by seven months".

The Palestinian Authority published a communique deenying Beilin's proposal outright. [Tel Aviv Globes (Internet version) in Hebrew on 20 January carries a longer version of the report, adding: "According to the original plan, Beilin was supposed to leave on 21 January for meetings with UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and German Chancellor Gerhard Schroder.

The EU Council of Ministers was then supposed to endorse the plan at its 24 January session. In parallel, a trip to Moscow for a last coordination effort with the Russians was to take place. The move was to have culminated with 'Arafat's visit to the White House on 15 March.

["Despite Israeli Ambassador to Washington Zalman Shoval's denial, Beilin's confidants stressed that a date had been set for 'Arafat's visit to the White House. During the visit, 'Arafat was to accede to US President Bill Clinton's appeal to accept the European initiative.

["The Likud spokesperson said in reaction that Beilin and Labor are promoting and setting the ground for the establishment of a Palestinian state."]

6. Mordechai reveals secret

THE JERUSALEM POST 1/26/99: "On his last day as defense minister, Yitzhak Mordechai hinted yesterday that secret talks are being conducted to resolve Israel's military presence in Lebanon. The talks reportedly do not involve the Syrians, but are being held through a third party.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu confirmed the negotiations, saying they have been going on for some time and it is best not to speak about them for now. Political sources told Israel Radio that the negotiations focus around an initial pullback from the Jezzine salient.

The negotiations are reportedly being conducted by Uri Lubrani, coordinator for activities in Lebanon. Netanyahu's office criticized Mordechai for revealing the talks, saying he was using them for cynical political purposes, and that the revelation of the talks may bring about their failure.

A senior official in Netanyahu's office - in a barely veiled criticism of Mordechai - said that "perhaps the most important element of success [in the talks] is secrecy."

Mordechai initially made the comments during a last meeting with military reporters in Tel Aviv, and then repeated them during a visit with soldiers along the Lebanon border. "There are some kind of negotiations being conducted. I can't elaborate on this.

I hope it will result in some achievements," he said. Mordechai was also critical of Syria for keeping the conflict in Lebanon going and not resuming peace talks. "The main problem is to convince the Syrians that the fighting in Lebanon does not help them in the least, and may even be harmful," Mordechai said.

Another source in the Prime Minister's Office said that "our Lebanese interlocutors were not acting on their own," indicating that Israel not only has ongoing contacts with the Lebanese, but with the Syrians as well. The source would say no more."

7. Religious councils

ARUTZ7 1/26/99: "The Knesset will vote this morning on the final readings of the Religious Councils Law. If the law is passed, all members of local religious councils will have to swear loyalty to the Chief Rabbinate.