ARAB AFFAIRS - Apr 1 - Summit Efforts Resume.

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak meets with Saudi Crown Prince Abdullah in the Sinai resort of Sharm El Shaikh in efforts to convene the Arab summit, which was to be held in Tunis on Mar 29 but was postponed indefinitely on Mar 27 by Tunisian Pres. Ben Ali (see Arab Affairs, Rec. No. 13). On Mar 29, Mubarak met there with King Hamad Bin Issa of Bahrain, who had played a key role at the last Arab summit meeting that was held in Mar 2003 just before the US invaded Iraq. On Mar 30, Mubarak's guest was Syrian FM Sharaa. Other Arab leaders involved in efforts to hold the summit include League Sec-Gen. Moussa and the rulers of Syria, Morocco, and Tunisia. Pres. Ben Ali is insisting that the summit should be held in Tunis, after Mubarak proposed Cairo as a venue. By Apr 3 most leaders were favouring a mid-May day for the summit, with the Saudi leadership stressing its necessity and Mubarak due to meet Pres. Bush at the latter's ranch at Crowford, Texas, on Apr 12 to stress the need for the US to revive Israeli-Palestinian peace talks. Israeli PM Sharon is scheduled to meet Bush on Apr 14.