Leadership assembly in Gaza City calls off Sept. 13 announcement of Palestinian statehood. Truck drivers, farm workers, and taxi drivers blockade oil refineries and cut off deliveries to thousands of gasoline stations. UN head Kofi Annan reports nation will not admit outside experts to study living conditions ten years after economic conditions imposed. Lifts restrictions imposed after far-right Freedom Party joined government. Vows to closely monitor party activities.
Power struggle erupts as date passes without peace or a state.
Seeks action at informal New York meeting, but Secretary of State Albright is doubtful of progress. Asks President Putin to halt plans to sell Iran technology that can be used to make fuel for nuclear weapons. One dead, nine rescued from small craft. Cuban government says plane was hijacked from western province. No casualties reported.