Were rolling back
Equity Line rates
to as low as prime:
8.25°1° APR

significant upgrade in U.S.- Pales-
tinian relations; longtime peace
process observers say it will serve
mostly a symbolic function.
`The committee is important at
least symbolically, because it gives
Arafat the feeling that he has an
address when there's a problem,"
said William Quandt, a former
National Security Council official
and an expert in the Mideast
peace process. "But it's awful thin
stuff when he goes back home and
faces the problems there."
This Arafat visit, he said, "will
not go down in history as an epic-
making development. But it was
important for him to develop re-
lationships with the new foreign
policy team in Washington, which
he appeared to do."

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car or boat, or an unexpected emergency.
there's no application fee, no closing costs
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and no points.
and annual percentage rate, based on the
To apply, stop by any Standard Federal
loan-to-value (LTV) you have in your home
Banking Center or call 1-800/HOME-800.

Gaza Boost

Palestinian economic develop-
ment also was the theme of a re-
cent gathering at the Washington
Ritz-Carlton Hotel to mark the
groundbreaking for a Marriott ho-
tel and business center in Gaza.
That project was the result of a
1994 mission to Gaza headed by
former Commerce Secretary Ron
Brown. Mr. Brown was an early
advocate of using private invest-
ment in Gaza and the West Bank
to bolster the peace process.
Mr. Arafat, speaking through
a translator, awarded a medal to
Alma Brown, Ron Brown's wid-
ow.
"It was a significant event be-
cause finally, a very meaningful
project is under way that will pro-
vide stability and jobs in Gaza, de-
spite multiple setbacks," said Mel
Levine, a former congressman
from California and the co-chair
of Builders for Peace, a group of
Arab-Americans and Jews that fa-
cilitates private-sector develop-
ment in Gaza and the West Bank.
In the last few months, he said,
American Jewish groups — which
were slow to support the joint de-
velopment effort — have been
showing new interest.
"We've seen more enthusiasm
than I've seen at any time since
the beginning," he said. "We've
had a variety of inquiries from
groups like NJCRAC (now called
the Jewish Council on Public Af-
fairs) and AIPAC (American Is-
rael Public Affairs Committee).
It's very encouraging."
One odd footnote to the dinner:
Mr. Levine announced the pres-
ence of several members of Con-
gress, including Rep. Ben Gilman,
R-N.Y.
That announcement produced
a titter in the audience; Mr.
Gilman has been an implacable
PLO foe, and continues to hold up
$10 million in aid to the Palestin-
ian Authority.
But Mr. Gilman was nowhere
to be seen; despite a positive
RSVP, he was a no-show. Ms. Al-
bright and former Commerce Sec-
retary Mickey Kantor also were
scheduled to appear, but canceled
because of other commitments.

-

Helping You Along The Way'

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Savings/Financial Services

800/643-9600

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Federal

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* The Annual Percentage Rate (APR) applicable to your account will vary depending on your credit limit and the loan-to-value ratio. The APR is determined by taking
the weekly average prime rate as published by the Federal Reserve Board during the last week of March, June, September and December and adding a margin.
The maximum APR is 18%. A balloon payment may be due at maturity. You must carry insurance on the property that secures your Equity Line. Consult your
tax advisor regarding the tax deductibility of interest. Tax laws are subject to change and individual tax situations vary. ©1997 Standard Federal Bank

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