Iranian Jews missing

ARUTZ7 5/26/99: "The fate of some 21 Iranian Jews is currently unknown. Shimon Hatzav, Deputy Chairman of the Iranian Jewish Immigrants Society in Israel said that he is privy only to fragmented reports of what happened to the missing Jews.

Speaking with Arutz-7 today, Hatzav related that the Jews lived in Isfahan, "a major city between Teheran and Shiraz, long known for strong commitment to Israel and Jewish life. Apparently they were arrested after engaging in the study of Hebrew. As far as I know, they were taken to Shiraz, where they will be brought to trial," Hatzav said.

He admitted that the report is "curious," since there is no law forbidding the study of Hebrew in Iran: "Even in the government schools, there are designated hours for religious study, during some of which Hebrew is taught. It could be that they were arrested for studying Judaism or engaging in Zionist activities - we just don't know."

Likud to choose

ARUTZ7 5/27/99: "The Likud Central Committee will convene this evening to choose an acting party chairman. Running against Foreign Minister Ariel Sharon are MK Yisrael Katz, and committee members Emil Hadad and Chanan Eldar. "

Bibi quiet

AP 5/26/99: "A somber Benjamin Netanyahu emerged from a silver limo to greet a planeload of refugees from Kosovo on Wednesday in his first official appearance since his party was routed in last week's elections. Surrounded by fewer bodyguards than usual, the often outgoing prime minister gave one halting wave of his hand, quickly shook hands with the newcomers and then bowed out of a welcoming ceremony.

Trying to counter complaints that he has already stopped running the country, Netanyahu also convened a meeting of top Cabinet ministers Wednesday. Netanyahu, 49, has been roundly blamed for his Likud party's dismal showing in the parliamentary elections. The ruling party plummeted to 19 seats from 32 in the 120-seat Knesset.

In a speech scheduled for Thursday to Likud's top brass, Netanyahu was expected to announce he will resign from parliament. His aides say he plans to take a break from politics to write a book and tour the U.S. lecture circuit...The prime minister has kept a decidedly low profile since his defeat to moderate Labor party leader Ehud Barak..."

Coalition stuff

THE JERUSALEM POST 5/27/99: "One Israel last night asked Meretz and the National Religious Party to be its first negotiating partners, as it attempts to establish a coalition government. The second round of talks, which commences this afternoon, was described by senior One Israel sources as the first real negotiations, with those held until now merely an opportunity to listen to potential coalition partners.

One Israel decided to place the NRP in the second spot, ahead of its more natural partners Yisrael Ba'aliya, the Center Party, and Shinui. The sources also said they had invited the Likud to be the first in line. However, given its internal problems, it will only meet with One Israel's negotiating team on Wednesday.

In another development, National Union MK Hanan Porat said he was told by One Israel negotiators that Prime Minister-elect Ehud Barak is contemplating incorporating the Wye agreement into the final-status arrangements and putting the issue to a referendum. Porat said he told the One Israel representatives that, should such measures be implemented, the National Union would be happy to support the government from the opposition benches.

He claimed One Israel team chairman David Liba'i responded by saying that "this is being carefully considered by Ehud Barak." However, the senior Labor sources said Liba'i did not react to Porat's comments other than by simply nodding his head.

The sources added that Barak has ruled that One Israel "will not reverse agreements already signed." During the sessions with both the National Union and NRP, Liba'i promised that the terms "cutting off funding" and "freezing activities" would not be a part of the language applied to the territories..."

Former finance director Yossi Cicik in with Barak

HA'ARETZ 5/27/99: "In a surprise move, Yossi Cucik, the former wages director in the Finance Ministry, will serve as the director-general of the Prime Minister's Office under Ehud Barak. Cucik joined Israel Discount Bank just three weeks ago in a senior capacity.

Barak is expected to announce today that Cucik, who is identified with two legendary figures in the Labor Party, Yigal Allon and Yitzhak Rabin, will be in charge of the transfer of power in the Prime Minister's Office.

Many observers had speculated that Barak would appoint one of his close aides to the key post. Among those whose names were mentioned were Yoni Koren, Barak's former bureau chief in the IDF; Major Gen. (Res.) Haggai Shalom, who was in charge of the organizational aspects of Barak's election campaign; and the former head of the Halamish public housing company, Yuval Frankel, who was a close aide to Barak during the campaign.

Sources in One Israel noted yesterday that the surprise move may signal something of Barak's intentions regarding other senior posts, such as the cabinet secretary, his bureau chief, and of course the cabinet ministers. Those appointments may also take many people by surprise, the sources said.

Cucik is not a member of Barak's close circle of acquaintances. He was for many years a member of the "Rabin camp" in the Labor Party and was considered close to former agriculture minister Yaakov Tzur.

Sami Peretz adds:

Cucik won his fame in the treasury by publishing an annual report on wage excesses in the public sector. The report put pressure on the bodies that were reviewed to fall into line with state standards..."

Pirate radio stations

HA'ARETZ 5/27/99: "The police will give top priority to complaints about pirate radio stations, decided an emergency meeting called last night by Transport Minister Shaul Yahalom in the wake of continuing interference by pirate stations with communications between the control tower and planes at Ben-Gurion International Airport.

Symbolically, as the meeting was in progress, flight controllers at the airport suspended all takeoffs for about an hour as pirate radio stations effectively jammed communications by broadcasting on frequencies used by the airport.

Another decision made at the emergency meeting - which was attended by representatives of the Transport Ministry, the Public Security Ministry, the Communications Ministry, the State Attorney's Office, the attorney general's department, the police, the aviation authorities and others - was to set up a special task force to handle complaints against pirate stations.

In addition, legislation will be enacted to raise the maximum legal penalties for pirate radio station operators. The law currently allows up to a three-year prison term and a fine of NIS 3 million, but the sentences meted out by the courts are far more lenient.