USIA - State Department Report (96-08-29)

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From: The United States Information Agency (USIA) Gopher at <gopher://gopher.usia.gov>

STATE DEPARTMENT REPORT, THURSDAY, AUGUST 29, 1996

(Bosnia, Israel, Kurds) (440)

BOSNIA -- The first shipment of U.S. military equipment is scheduled to arrive in Bosnia August 29 as part of the U.S.-led international Train and Equip Program for the military forces of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Davies said. The U.S. contribution of equipment is part of an international effort to establish a stable military balance in Bosnia by providing the Federation with the capability to deter aggression and defend its population and territory in the post-IFOR period.

ISRAEL -- The Palestinian general strike, according to Davies, was widely observed in Gaza and the West Bank and appears to have been peaceful. The United States continues to remain very active in discussions both with the Palestinians and the Israelis, he said. Special Middle East Coordinator Dennis Ross was in the region and spoke to Arafat by phone several times, Davies said. According to Davies, Ross reports "a willingness on both sides, an evident interest in finding a way to resolve their difference." But Davies added, "It is up to both the Palestinians and the Israelis to bridge the gap that lies between them; so our role will be in doing what we can to help them as they move forward in that process."

The United States, Davies said, "is going to work with Yasser Arafat and his people in the Palestinian Authority as well as with the Israeli government, because they both expressed an interest in a continuing role for the United States, because -- more fundamentally -- they both expressed an interest in resolving their problems."

Pressed with questions regarding whether Arafat will be able to stay in power, Davies said, "We just simply don't see that as an issue. It's not an issue that we would care to comment on right now. I don't see any fundamental changes coming in the Middle East."

Regarding reports of Israeli plans to expand settlements, Davies reiterated the U.S. view that "settlement activity is unhelpful, and it complicates the peace process."

KURDS -- Davies confirmed reports that the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK) and the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) have agreed to talks in London under the auspices of Assistant Secretary for Near Eastern Affairs Robert Pelletreau. The ceasefire continues to hold, Davies reported. "We will be meeting in the next few days with the parties as well as with the Iraqi National Congress to develop monitoring arrangements to strengthen the ceasefire," he said.

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