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Newsletter : 9fax0809.txt
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>JN Aug. 9, 1999, Vol. 7, No. 145
How Many Ways Can You Say "Thank You?"
By IsraelWire
Private investors have decided to print postcards which say "thank you" in 13 languages in an effort to change the image of the Israeli business person, one that is less than favorable. The new cards will be distributed at duty free shops and on board El Al flights.
Arafat Changes His Mind About Peace Accord Starting Date
By Ross Dunn (VOA-Jerusalem)
Palestinian leader Yasir Arafat, Sunday, reversed his earlier stand and said he would accept Israel's new starting date for implementation of an outstanding key peace accord. Arafat's statement is the first sign of Palestinian flexibility toward the new government of Prime Minister Ehud Barak.
Arafat says he has decided to go along with Israel's plan to delay
implementing the U-S mediated Wye-River agreement. Israel plans
the delay despite a promise from Barak that he would begin
fulfilling Israel's commitments under the accord immediately.
The Palestinian leader says, what is now important is that Barak
implement the agreement, even if it does not begin until next
month. The statement reflects a more conciliatory approach from
Arafat.
Under the Wye River accord, an additional 13 percent of the West
Bank is to be transferred to Palestinian self-rule in three stages.
The first-stage, withdrawing from 2 percent of the territory, was
completed by the previous Binyamin Netanyahu government, which then
froze the process.
The more moderate Barak wants to carry out the second-stage of the
agreement, but has asked that the third-stage of the withdrawal of
troops from the territory be delayed until the two sides sit down
to negotiate a permanent end to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
It was unclear from the statement whether Arafat would also agree
to delay the third, and final, stage.
Meanwhile, Arafat showed more signs he is keeping his commitments
to combat terrorism. He ordered the arrest Sunday of three
officials of the militant Islamic group, Hamas, after the movement
claimed responsibility for a recent attack on Jewish settlers
in the West Bank.
Hamas is one of the dissident groups Arafat hopes will join him in
drafting a common Palestinian position for final negotiations on a
peace treaty with the Israelis.
The Palestinian leader has begun talks with a number of rebel
groups within the PLO in the hope that he can unify them under his
leadership.
Trade Sanctions Possible Against CD-Pirating Israel
By Ross Dunn (VOA-Jerusalem)
Israel this week will launch an urgent mission to Washington in a
bid to avoid being hit by U-S trade sanctions. The threat follows
American investigations which claim Israel is a major center for
music and computer program piracy.
Israel's Justice Minister Yossi Beilin will fly to Washington
Thursday to meet with Attorney General Janet Reno, following
American threats to impose sanctions because of allegations of
illegal music and computer program copying in the Jewish State.
The findings are made in a U.S. Justice Department report presented
to Beilin by the Ambassador to Israel, Edward Walker. The report
claims the pirating of computer programs and music CD's by Israeli
entrepreneurs is costing the copyright holders an estimated $170
million a year.
The report says illegal factories in Israel are actively copying
computer programs and music disks and distributing them to markets
in the Palestinian self-rule areas and Russia.
The Justice Department report accuses the Israeli government of
"apathy" about the issue. More damaging is the suspicion raised by
the inquiry that there may Israeli government involvement in the
piracy industry.
Beilin says he has introduced a bill protecting intellectual
property -- now lacking in Israel -- and promises the Jewish state
will swiftly push the legislation through parliament.
Unveiling of Disney Millennium Village
By IsraelWire
Foreign Ministry Director-General Eitan Bentsur and Walt Disney
World Vice President George Kalogridis jointly presented the Israel
pavilion at Disney's Epcot Millennium Village Sunday at the Foreign
Ministry Central Conference Room.
The Foreign Ministry and Disney World cooperated extensively on the
development of the village in which Israel is showcased as a
country rich in innovation and history, as well as being the
birthplace of the millennium. The Israel pavilion will be the
largest pavilion at the Epcot Millennium Village.
Israel's Pavilion at Disney World in Orlando, Fla., will officially
open Sept. 30, in the presence of United Nations Secretary General
Kofi Anan, invited guests and thousands of journalists from all
over the world. Thirty-three Israelis, who will guide an expected
15 million visitors during the millennium year, will staff the
pavilion.
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