Al-Ahram Weekly

Affirmative action, Israeli-style
Last week, a Palestinian was appointed to the Knesset's Defence and Foreign Affairs Committee, and a veritable can of worms was opened. Graham Usher writes from Jerusalem

'A scandalously missed opportunity'
US pressures succeeded in aborting an unprecedented meeting in Switzerland to discuss the implementation of the Fourth Geneva Convention in occupied Palestinian territories. Sherine Bahaa reports

Amnesty for business
Tens of thousands of Syrians are said to have benefited from the general amnesty announced last week by President Hafez Al-Assad. Atef Saqr, in Damascus, explores the implications

Jordan poll 'satisfies' Islamists
Jordan held its first "free and democratic elections" under King Abdullah. Lola Keilani reports from Amman on how this will help mend strained ties between the government and the opposition


*As Iran plunges into a state of civil unrest, Al-Ahram Weekly* explores the underlying causes of the crisis**

The silent president The massive student demonstrations in Tehran raised questions about the actual power enjoyed by moderate President Mohamed Khatami. Azadeh Moaveni reports from Tehran	Two Irans, two Khatamis Last week's student demonstrations in Tehran revealed two Irans and two Khatamis, writes Amir Taheri
Iran's brave new world The recent events in Iran demonstrate both the power of the country's youth, and their political maturity, writes Assef Bayat

		Al-Ahram Weekly 22 - 28 July 1999 Issue No. 439
Published in Cairo by AL-AHRAM established in 1875