MONTHLY REPORT--TEL AVIV BUREAU MARCH 1988

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP94-00798R000200300030-9
• Release Decision: RIPPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 22, 2016
• Document Release Date: August 14, 2012
• Sequence Number: 30
• Publication Date: April 5, 1988
• Content Type: MEMO

Declassified in Part - Sanitized Copy Approved for Release 2012/08/14: CIA-RDP94-00798R000200300030-9
SUBJECT: (Optional)
Monthly Report --
Tel Aviv Bureau
FROM:
rEXTENSION
3-5991
TO: (Officer designation, room number, and
building)
DATE
March 1988
RECEIVED
FORWARDED
OFFICER'S
INITIALS
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to whom. Draw a line across column Ow each comment.)
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FORM 610 USE PREVIOUS
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EDITIONS
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FBIS-6018-88
5 April 1988
MEMORANDUM FOR: Director, Foreign Broadcast Information Service
THROUGH: Chief, Operations Group
SUBJECT: Monthly Report -- Tel Aviv Bureau -- March 1988
I. GENERAL
Well into their 4th month, the disturbances in the
territories have prompted increasing economic pressures on
Palestinian Arabs, typified by an Israeli embargo of gas
deliveries. The Palestinian response has taken many forms,
including heavy pressure from activists on government-employe
Arabs to leave their posts. Policemen have made up the bulk f
those who have yielded to the pressure. In an effort to contain
unrest during the Palestinians' observance of "Land Day,"
Israeli authorities tightened security in the territories,
including a complete closure of the Gaza Strip, the first time
such an extreme step has been taken since 1967.
With the exception of increased wordage, the highest
publishable volume since May of 1984, and some overtime, the
events in the territories have not yet affected bureau
operations. Travel by embassy staff and dependents has been
restricted, however, to pre-1967 Israel and is expected to
remain so for the foreseeable future. This restriction
precludes any visits to East Jerusalem, including the Old City,
and Bethlehem.
As for the peace process, Prime Minister Shamir visited
Washington in March but returned after, according to most
reports, accomplishing little more than restating his objection
to the U.S. version of an international conference. Secretary
Shultz returned to the Middle East on 3 April in the hope of
keeping the U.S. initiative alive.
II. OPERATIONS
A. Monitorial/Editorial
1. During March the bureau completed a sampling of the
Palestinian Press Service. Mostly because it is subject to
military censorship, the service was found to be unproductive,
so the bureau recommended that it not be placed on permanent
coverage.
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2. On the 7th three terrorists who had infiltrated
across the Egyptian border hijacked a bus near the Israeli
nuclear facility at Dimona. When the terrorists began shooting
their hostages one at a time, an antiterrorist squad stormed the
bus. The three terrorists were killed, but not before three
civilian workers from the nuclear facility had been shot. The
death of the civilians elicited some criticism of how the
incident was handled by security forces.
3. Following a report that the PRC had supplied
intermediate range missiles to Saudi Arabia, Shamir aide
Ben-Aharon hinted in the United States that Israel might
consider a preemptive strike against the missiles. Ben-Ahar n's
remarks caused a flurry of critical remarks from many countr es
and even from within his own party. He later claimed that h
made no direct threat, noting that the United States is dealing
with the issue. A message from LRB emphasized the need to file
liberally on the topic.
4. Signs of improved relations between Turkey and
Greece appeared in March in a joint communique issued in
Brussels after a meeting between the Greek and Turkish prime
ministers. Among the many positive developments outlined by the
communique was a plan for Turkish Prime Minister Ozal to visit
Athens in June. Other signs of rapprochement were seen during
the month in Ozal's announcement that Greece would not oppose,
Turkish membership in the EEC and in the unprecedented move of
Foreign Minister Mesut Yilmaz hosting the departing Greek
ambassador to Ankara. Apparently inspired by the spirit of the
Brussels meeting, Rauf Denktas, president of the "Turkish
Republic of North Cyprus," offered a package of "goodwill
proposals" to newly elected Greek Cypriot leader Vasiliou.
Vasiliou rejected the proposals, citing many long-standing
issues.
B. Communications
The head of the local visited the bureau jobiief
communications operators, technicians, and editors on____
operations and our interface with them The visit is expected
to improve the efficiency of coordination on
communications problems.
C. Lateral Services
At the request of Jordan Bureau, Tel Aviv is preparing a
list of West Bank mayors. The list will be sent to headquarters
and all interested bureaus both in hardcopy and on a floppy
disk.
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V. COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
In her capacity as a member of the American Embassy Women's
Group Outreach Committee, Hwife of Senior Editor
served as one or the coordinators of the AEWG's
.1.urs "Games Day." This special event is one of the major
charity benefits on the diplomatic community's social calendar.
Susan has also traveled to various local social service
facilities to determine how best to use the group's funds. Her
very active participation in the AEWG is rounded out by her
membership on the preschool school board.
Actiny Lnier, febib Tel Aviv Bureau
cc: JN, NC
Attachments: Production Report
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