News UNITED TO RESPOND : Rhaman, Kramer Eyes On Oil Washington (JTA) — Moham- mad Rahman, a Texas business- man, and Leo Kramer of Washington, D.C., have joined forces to build an olive oil pro- cessing plant in Jericho that will employ 150 Palestinians after construction is completed this fall. The joint venture is one of sev- en announced under the auspices of Builders for Peace, a private initiative set up last year to sup- port the Middle East peace process. A total of 10 American compa- nies have pledged to develop busi- nesses in the autonomous regions of Gaza and Jericho. The compa- nies say they expect to employ over 3,600 Palestinians generat- ing an estimated $168 million a year. An agreement clearing the way for the ventures between the Overseas Private Investment Corp., the Palestinians and the American businesses was an- nounced at a ceremony com- memorating the first anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Principles between Israel and the Palestine Liberation Organi- zation. Vice President Al Gore, head- lining the program at the Old Ex- ecutive Office Building, hailed the programs as "the first in what we hope will be a series of profitable new business ventures." Noting the Jewish High Holi- days, Mr. Gore said the holidays "allow us to reflect on the year that has passed," and "cause us to look ahead and make resolu- tions about what we intend to do to create a future worthy of our children and grandchildren." Builders for Peace emerged under Mr. Gore's leadership last September as a means to build bridges between the American Jewish and Arab communities to shore up private investments._ Co-chaired by James Zogby, president of the Arab American Institute, and former Congress- man Mel Levine, Builders for Peace, with the help of loan guar- antees from the Overseas Private Investment Corp. have "commit- ted to the long haul," Mr. Zogby said. Mr. Levine said there are many more projects in the pipeline that he expects will come to fruition in the coming months. Some participants will also re- ceive technical assistance and help with feasibility studies frok the United States Trade and De- velopment Agency, the chairmen said. Among the other projects launched at the ceremony are a $7 million venture by Astrum In- ternational to bottle spring wa- ter in Jericho and a $58 mil., construction deal to build mote,.i in Gaza by GRdG of Virginia. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee The African-American Institute Photograph by A. Nogues-SYGMA This cry for help must not go unheeded. As Blacks, Jews, and other concerned Americans, we cannot turn away from the terrible suffering of the Rwandan people. Our history cries out to us to do all we can to help those fleeing the consequences of wanton killing and civil strife. Since April, over 500,000 men, women and children have died. Without food or access to safe drinking water, thousands more now face death from disease and starvation. Literally, millions are seeking shelter in refugee camps. We urge our government leaders to commit all neces- sary resources to help end this unprecedented tragedy. And we call upon all Americans to help us provide doctors, medical facilities, shelters and other humanitarian aid for some of the most vulnerable of these refugees. The American Jewish Joint Distribution Committee, the overseas arm of the organized American Jewish community, and the African- American Institute, a multi-ethnic, multi-racial private voluntary organization, have come together to provide desperately needed assistance to Rwandan refugees. But this vast humanitarian project cannot succeed without you. As the world watches, the people of Rwanda cry out for help. In the most literal sense, the power to snatch life from the jaws of death rests in your hands. WI (IC VIES 1111i 1411 Peter KovIer Washington, D.C. Alan Ades International President The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism Mary Anderson Bain Washington. D.C. Harry Belafonte Robert J. Berg President International Development C