Kohl and Rabin discuss the situation in the Near and Middle East and the changed in Syria's position toward Israel after the demise of the Soviet Union. Rabin expresses concern about the continued arms race in the region and Syria's purchases of Scud missiles from Russia and Slovakia. He also reiterates Iraq's continued capability to go nuclear within 5 to 6 years despite international arms control inspections. Last but not least, Kohl and Rabin discuss the situation in Iran and Kohl's contacts with President Rafsandjani.

In a letter to Secretary of State Schultz, Minister for Foreign Affairs of Japan Abe describes his visits with various countries in the Middle East after the ASEAN Post-Ministerial Conference with Dialogue Partners. He discusses the Iran-Iraq conflict, the American hostages held in Lebanon, and the general issue of peace in the Middle East.

Yasir Arafat and Nicolae Ceaușescu discuss policy for Palestine and the diplomatic relationship between the two entities.

Notes on a meeting in Moscow from March 6-10 between Yasser Arafat & the PLO Delegation and the Soviet government. Arafat was met by Brezhnev, Boris Ponomarev and Andrei Gromyko. Among the issues discussed were the situation in the Middle East, the Soviets desire for Palestine to counter Egypt's "capitulation" to Israel and the U.S. (which Arafat affirmed), tensions in Southern Lebanon and the PLO's increasing desire to further cooperation with Syria and non-Christian Lebanese groups.

The report evaluates the internal situation of the PLO, which lost its bases in southern Lebanon and is exposed to increased pressure by Arab governments. The report describes the conflict between Arafat and the Syrian branch of the PLO and notes the increase in Syrian influence following a violent incident in Tripoli, in which Arafat and the Muslim Brothers were supposedly involved. Regardless of Syria's strength, the report states that Arafat has shown no inclination to work with the Syrian government. It concludes that a split seems likely, especially since Arafat has oriented himself towards the reactionary Arab forces.

The two leaders discuss the situation in the Middle East, and the role of the superpowers - the US and the Soviet Union.

Fischer forwards greetings and thanks from Arafat, as well as Arafat's request that 40 wounded soldiers and civilians be accepted by the GDR. Fischer proposes to fulfill Arafat's appeal.

Abu Iyad provides information on recent developments in the Middle East and within the PLO. He reports about Fatah splinter groups which are supported by the SAR and the evolving conflict between the Syrian Arab Republic and the PLO. He inserts a brief analysis of the development of Syria since 1976 and the influence of the USA and Israel. Axen gives his assessment of the situation and the conflict and points out the negative effects of the conflicts within the Fatah and between the PLO and Syria. He emphasizes the Syrian role in the alliance against imperialism and advises the PLO to again ameliorate the relations between the PLO and Syria.