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Reports that Prime Minister Ariel Sharon of Israel and President Mahmoud Abbas of the Palestinian Authority will declare at a summit meeting in Egypt their intention to suspend attacks after four years of conflict. Renewal of direct American involvement in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict by U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice; Intent of U.S. President George W. Bush to meet separately with both leaders; The growing momentum toward reviving a peace effort that was stalled until the death of Yasir Arafat, the Palestinian leader; Comments of Israeli and Palestinian officials; Observation that much will depend on the ability of Abbas to rein in the militant Palestinian factions and particularly Hamas; Israel's announcement of a pullback of its military forces from West Bank cities; Significance of these developments; Outlook.

Discusses how, under U.S. encouragement and pressure, Israel has taken steps to strengthen the standing of Palestinian moderates now that Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat has died. Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's possible removal of Israeli security forces from Palestinian population areas to facilitate Palestinian elections; Israel's concerns about a pullback; Perception of Arafat's death as an opportunity to revive the Israeli-Palestinian peace effort; Comments of U.S. President George W. Bush at a news conference with British Prime Minister Tony Blair; Call by Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei for a resumption of peace efforts; Other gestures by Israel; How U.S. officials are raising questions about the extensive presence of Israeli troops; Credibility of Sharon's plan to pull out of Gaza; Outlook.

Discusses promises made by United States President George W. Bush that he will act diplomatically to end a conflict between Israel and Palestine. Possibility that this may occur following the Iraqi War; Details of the so-called road map for peace drafted by the United States, Russia and others in 2002; Outlook for implementation.

Focuses on the relations between Israel and Palestine and the involvement of the U.S. to end the violence in the region. Information on a meeting between Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat and U.S. Secretary of State Colin L. Powell; Hopes of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon for an international summit meeting regarding peace like that of the 1991 Madrid conference; Support by Powell of a full Israeli withdrawal from the West Bank and occupied cities; Details on violence in the region; Outlook for peace.

Reports that Israeli and Palestinian negotiators in Washington are working against a September 13, 2000 target for agreement on some of the most difficult issues in any settlement between the two sides. Issues being argued; Reason for an expected little attention of the government on the Israeli-Palestinian talks; Comments from United States State Department spokesman James P. Rubin.

Discusses the details of the peace agreement between Israel and Palestine that was negotiated in October 1998 at Wye Plantation in Maryland. Comparison of the accord reached in Oslo, Norway in 1993; Participation in the negotiations of representatives of the religious Israelis who were not represented in Oslo; Impact of the agreement on the West Bank; Reasons for the lack of optimism about the agreement; Comments from Israelis.

Presents an overview of the October 1998 Middle East peace negotiations at Wye Mills, Maryland. Identification of crises and turning points in the negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat and United States President Bill Clinton; Moments of anger and levity; Details.

Reports the October 23, 1998 agreement of Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to a modest agreement that restores life to the Middle East peace effort. Its provision for talks on a final resolution of the 50-year old controversy surrounding establishment of an independent Palestinian state; Threat to the agreement by a last-minute dispute over the fate of spy Jonathan Pollard; Details.

Reports that on October 20, 1998, King Hussein of Jordan joined United States President Bill Clinton at the Middle East peace talks in Wye Mills, Maryland. Clinton's hope that some kind of settlement will be reached between Israeli and Palestinians; US and Palestinian push for a comprehensive interim accord to permit a final round of peace talks; Israeli suggestion of a partial accord with later talks on disputed issues; Identification of the disputed issues for both parties.