1. IRAN, SYRIA JOIN FORCES TO WARN U.S.…The Syrians and Iranians have taken the unusual step of issuing a joint statement warning the United States they will respond to any pressure from Washington or any other Western capital. Damascus and Tehran said they are forming a united front against any possible threats. While neither country mentioned the U.S. by name, it is a clear reference to the Bush administration. A day earlier, Washington recalled its ambassador to Damascus. Meanwhile, there are reports that the U.S. is continuing its unmanned flights over Iran, despite Tehran’s warning that it will shoot down the aircraft. There is still uncertainty as to the cause of the reported explosion in southwestern Iran on Wednesday. Initial reports suggested an airborne missile strike, which was followed by a series of other suggestions including an explosion at a dam. By early evening local time, Tehran had silenced all reports on the issue.
2. ISRAEL’S CABINET TO VOTE ON GAZA WITHDRAWAL…The cabinet of Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon is expected to approve the implementation of his Gaza-withdrawal plan when it meets in Jerusalem on Sunday. The country’s parliament, the Knesset, backed the plan by 59 votes to 40 late on Wednesday. Seventeen lawmakers from Sharon’s Likud party voted against the bill, however it received the support of most opposition parties, including some that represent the Arab population. The passage of the law means there will not be a referendum on the Gaza plan for at least six months. Several of Sharon’s senior Likud colleagues are demanding a national vote on the proposed withdrawal of all Israelis from the Gaza Strip and parts of Samaria, the northern segment of the West Bank.
3. U.S. MILITARY OBSERVER ARRIVES IN MIDEAST…The American official charged with overseeing the reform of the Palestinian military and its takeover of several areas from Israeli forces has arrived in the region. Lt.-Gen. William Ward was named as security coordinator by Condoleezza Rice, when she was in the region earlier this month. On Thursday he is meeting top Israeli officials including the prime minister, defense minister and Israel Defense Forces chief of staff.
4. PALESTINIAN CABINET…The Palestinian Authority is finalizing the details of its new cabinet on Thursday. An announcement of its new composition had been promised on at least two other occasions in the last week, however, there are said to be differences over several key appointments. Analysts say the general direction is a move away from Yassir Arafat loyalists, although Arafat’s nephew Na’sir Al-Qidwa is expected to be named minister for external affairs. He is currently the Palestinians’ official observer at the United Nations.
5. PROTESTERS GIVE A NEW MEANING TO BURNING RUBBER…Drivers on major highways around Israel were given a nasty shock on Wednesday night when protesters hurled burning tires onto the roads. The move was the latest in a series of roadside protests aimed at persuading the public to oppose Ariel Sharon’s Gaza-withdrawal plan. However, the representative body of Jews living in the post-1967 areas described the tactic as damaging to their cause.