HAARETZ 1. MITZNA RESIGNS AS LABOR LEADER: IN ITS CURRENT SITUATION, IT IS IMPOSSIBLE TO RUN IT.
Mitzna: Senior party figures tried to sabotage my leadership. Is not quitting political life and will continue to serve as MK. Senior Labor officials: Mitzna fleeing responsibility. Among candidates to replace him: Ben Eliezer, Vilnai and Burg. First contacts toward possible establishment of left-wing party. Assessment in Likud: Move reduces chances of unity. 2. MOFAZ: BRITISH SMUGGLED EXPLOSIVES INTO ISRAEL INSIDE KORAN. 3. Palestinian security: ISRAEL COMPLAINS TO US: FIRST VIOLATION OF ROADMAP. 4. SECURITY GUARD TO LIGHT TORCH AT MT. HERZL ON INDEPENDENCE DAY. 5. Football: After each round, incitement index will be issued in which groups will be rated. PITCH OBSERVERS MONITORING DISPLAYS OF RACISM. HATZOFEH 1. Outgoing Labor Chairman: In its current situation, party is unleadable. MITZNA GIVES UP ON LABOR. Approximately six months after being elected party chairman by large majority, and three months after elections defeat, Amram Mitzna resigns as Labor Party leader. In resignation speech, Mitzna attacked senior party officials who in his words made every effort to sabotage his ability to lead party. War of succession begins among contestants Burg, Ben Eliezer and surprise candidate Avraham Shohat. Will remain MK and party member. Left expresses regret over resignation, Right satisfied. Labor Secy.-Gen. Ophir Pines to summon party bureau within week in order to discuss election of new chairman. 2. SHARON TO MEET ABU MAZEN IMMEDIATELY AFTER POWELLS VISIT. 3. MOFAZ: WE WILL NOT AGREE TO CEASEFIRE BEFORE PALESTINIANS FIGHT TERROR. 4. ATTORNEY GENERAL SETS UP STAFF TO INVESTIGATE CONFLICT-OF-INTEREST AFFAIR REGARDING SHARON. 5. COMMANDERS OF HATZERIM BASE PREVENT IMMIGRATION POLICE FROM ARRESTING ILLEGAL FOREIGN WORKERS WORKING AT BASE. MAARIV 1. THUS SECRET NEGOTIATIONS WITH SYRIA WERE TORPEDOED. Expos?: President Assad sent his brother Maher to secret meetings in Jordan. Sharon blocked move. 2. AMRAM MITZNA RESIGNS AS LABOR PARTY LEADER. YEDIOT AHRONOT 1. Mitzna: I just cant any more. SUCCESSION BATTLE. Mitznas speech, in which he resigned from Labor Party leadership last night, became sharp accusation against party: They did everything to hurt me: cabals, turf wars. Senior Labor officials: Hes running away. Among candidates for empty chair: Vilnai, Fuad, Shohat, Ramon, Burg and perhaps even Barak and Peres. 2. REMEMBERING THE FALLEN. Tonight at 20:00: Siren to begin Remembrance Day for the Fallen of Israels Wars. Number of the fallen: 21,540. 3. GALLOPING STOCK MARKET. Jumps 34% in three months. Public beginning to return to mutual funds. Apparent improvement in economic situation for February-March. ______________________________ SUMMARY OF EDITORIALS FROM THE HEBREW PRESS Hatzofeh discusses US Secretary of State Colin Powells recent visit to Syria and says that, According to all the signs, Bashar Assad and his people are attempting to reduce the tensions that have prevailed between Syria and the US, in order to ease American pressure and buy time. The editors claim that while the Syrians will try to make it appear that they have made changes in policy, but argue that, In essential matters, they will not change their position and assert that the only way to make such a change will be to apply real pressure, which the paper believes the US will not do. Yediot Ahronot describes Amram Mitznas resignation as Labor Party Chairman as dramatic but not surprising. The editors comment, It appears that it is not enough to be a fair man, real creativity and understanding the rules in politics are also needed for leadership. The paper adds that the State of Israel is still searching for real leadership and responsible politics. Yediot Ahronot, in its second editorial, says that last years Remembrance Day events took place amid the shock of terror attacks and Operation Defensive Shield and suggests that the fact that many of Israels fallen over the last two years are not soldiers, but innocent civilians, has not yet been incorporated into memorial ceremonies.
