Tamraz convicted

Beirut's AL SAFFIR 1/30/99: "The Standing Military Court, presided over by Staff Brig. Gen. Husayn Shahin and in the presence of Government Representative Judge Maysar Shukr, issued a 10-year jail sentence with hard labor against fugitive Roger Edward Tamraz [a naturalized US citizen of Lebanese origin] for communicating with the Israeli enemy, entering Israel, and violating the law on the boycott of Israel by concluding commercial transactions with Israeli businessmen.

Tamraz visited Israel in June 1998 and met with Israeli businessmen Moshe Shanab and Elie Aran with the aim of obtaining rights to market 2 millions tons of oil owned by the Sonokol company, with which he made contacts through lawyer Iran Hatzor.

During the visit Tamraz met with a group of businessmen and offered to buy bank stocks worth between US $70 and $200 million on the recommendation of some Jewish bank owners..."

[ED. NOTE: Tamraz was at the center of US controversy sevral years ago regarding foreign influence peddling in the Clinton administration.]..."

Bill thanked Bibi

YEDIOT AHARONOT 2/2/99: "With the aim of denying reports about a crisis in relations between Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu and President Bill Clinton, sources in the prime minister's bureau last night leaked a personal letter the US President sent Netanyahu.

In the letter, sent on 25 January, which began with the words "Dear Bibi," Clinton expressed his thanks for the reception he received during his visit to Israel with his family about six weeks ago.

Some time ago, the thank you note Clinton sent former Defense Minister Yitzhaq Mordekhay for his contribution to the success of the Wye summit, was published.

The prime minister's bureau ridiculed Mordekhay, who they said, rushed to leak the contents of the message as though only he had received a letter from Clinton and said that the US President had sent letters to all the participants in the Wye summit, including Netanyahu, Ari'el Sharon and Natan Sharansky.

But following recent reports that Clinton is agreeing to meet with Yasir 'Arafat but refuses to meet with Netanyahu, sources in the prime minister's bureau last night decided to leak a similar letter.

In the letter, Clinton writes to Netanyahu: "On behalf of Hillary, Chelsea, and all the members of the American delegation, I wish to thank you for the warm reception during our visit.

Starting with the welcoming reception and ending with the festive dinner party in Jerusalem's Hilton Hotel, our hearts were touched by the generosity and kindness of the Israeli people.

Hillary and I especially appreciate the time we spent together with you and Sara. We will not forget our visit in Massada which helped us to better understand the deep historic sources of the Israeli people, as well as its willpower and resolve.

"I also wish to thank you for the beautiful vase you presented us, and the lamp, jewels, and picture.

They serve as a special reminder to an important friendship. My best wishes, health, and happiness in the coming year. Yours sincerely, Bill."

Hamas & Iran

ISRAEL LINE 2/4/99: "The military wing of the Hamas terrorist organization recently received millions of dollars in financial support, MA'ARIV reported.

News of the Hamas windfall appeared in a special report submitted to security officials in Israel, who passed it to American intelligence officials for verification.

The Americans confirmed the validity of the report. Security officials said the money was raised by Hamas leader Sheik Ahmed Yassin, who had earlier claimed the funds would go towards charitable causes.

Instead, the money has been earmarked for terrorist training and arms intended for use in attacks on Israeli civilians and soldiers.

MA'ARIV added that the Palestinian police claim that Iran is a major source of Hamas funding, and Iranian money is used to encourage suicide bombings in Israel. Razi al-Jabali, Palestinian police commander in Gaza, said the Palestinian police are in possession of documents stating that Iran has already transferred $35 million to Hamas."

EU desalinization?

ISRAEL LINE 2/4/99: "Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon on Wednesday urged European Union ambassadors to support a major two-phase desalination project, which he says will protect Israelis, Palestinians and Jordanians from water shortages in the future, HA'ARETZ reported.

The meeting came a week before German Foreign Minister Joschka Fischer's visit to Israel. Germany currently holds the rotating EU presidency. Senior German officials are urging Israel, Jordan and the Palestinians to come up with a joint approach to the water issue. Israel favors expanding the water supply, while the Palestinians also want redistribution of existing water resources used by Israel.

Sharon says the water crisis will peak by 2010, when Israelis and Palestinians together are projected to equal 10 million people. The initial phase of his proposal calls for a 50-million-cubic-meter desalination plant in Gaza for drinking water and domestic consumption; desalination of 50 million cubic meters of brackish water to supply Jordan in the Jordan Rift Valley; and desalination of 50-100 million cubic meters along the Mediterranean for use by Israel.

In a second phase, a large-scale desalination plant with a capacity of 800 million cubic meters of water would be constructed for use by all three partners."

Ezer & prisoners

ISRAEL LINE 2/4/99: " President Ezer Weizman is reviewing the files of some 20 imprisoned Israeli Arabs, President's Office Director-General Arye Shumer said on Wednesday, THE JERUSALEM POST reported.

The information was released after it was announced that the sentences of seven Jews serving long terms for murdering or attempting to kill Arabs had been reduced. At the same time, five Israeli Arabs, sentenced to life imprisonment after being convicted of terrorist activities, also received sentenced reductions.

"The reduction of sentences is intended to create an atmosphere of reconciliation and to help push forward the peace process," Shumer said from the President's Office in Jerusalem.

"It is part of the ongoing process of reviewing prisoners' files during the Jubilee year." Shumer pointed out that Weizman has not changed his declared intention of refusing to commute sentences of persons who committed criminally-motivated murders."

Ezer & PA

THE JERUSALEM POST 2/4/99: "The Palestinian Authority yesterday expressed anger at President Ezer Weizman's decision to reduce the sentences of seven Israelis convicted of killing or attempting to kill Arabs.

It said this would encourage other extremists to attack Arabs and charged that Israel has double standards when it comes to prisoner release. "At a time when Israel freezes the implementation of the Wye agreement... Israel is paving the way for the release of Israeli killers and criminals," said PA secretary-general Ahmed Abdel Rahman.

"One must ask which side has a revolving door policy," he added, referring to Israel's constant claims that the PA is lenient with Islamic militants and releases them from jail almost as soon as they get there.

Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu's communication's director David Bar-Illan rejected the comparison outright, saying there is a big difference between reducing a sentence through due process of law and "just letting prisoners walk free." "The comparison is ridiculous," said Bar-Illan.

"Here we are talking about due process in which a sentence is changed from life to 40 years, or from 15 to 12 years. Nothing like a revolving door policy."

Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon added that not only had the PA released "16 of the most terrible murderers," but that they were prisoners who, according to the Wye agreement, should have never left prison.

In any case, said Sharon, speaking to reporters in Jerusalem, "this was a presidential decision which had to be respected."...

Voice of America 2/4/99: "President Clinton has met with Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on the sidelines of a national prayer breakfast here in Washington. The meeting came amid controversy over Mr. Arafat's presence at the breakfast...

A White House official says Mr. Clinton had a 20 minute meeting with Mr. Arafat to discuss implementation of the Wye peace accord signed (signed with Israel) last October.

The official says they had a 'good conversation' that touched on security issues and the status of relations between the United States and the Palestinian Authority.

But Israel -- which accuses Mr. Arafat of not living up to his commitment to crack down on terrorism -- is angered Mr. Clinton met with the Palestinian leader. A number of Jewish groups boycotted the prayer breakfast because of Mr. Arafat's presence, as did some Christian groups.

Speaking to the 35-hundred religious leaders, lawmakers, and diplomats who did attend, Mr. Clinton offered a veiled response to the protests -- echoing the words of the late Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Rabin:

[Clinton:] 'You do not make peace with your friends, but friendship can come with time and trust and humility when we do not pretend our willfulness is an expression of God's will.'

A white house spokesman says it is unfortunate that some protested Mr. Arafat's participation at the breakfast, saying they are ignoring a spirit of reconciliation and inclusion. Mr. Clinton called for prayer for the parties to the peace talks.

[Clinton;] 'I ask you to pray for Chairman Arafat and the Palestinians, for the government of Israel.' [ed. Note: PM Netanyahu was not mentioned by name.]