Israeli Delegation Heads to Peace Talks in Washington

THE Israeli delegation to the Middle East bilateral peace talks left early Monday for Washington despite the announcement by Arab delegations that they would postpone their own departures.

The Arab side is expected to await a meeting of the United Nations Security Council Monday evening New York time before deciding what to do. Israeli media were predicting the Security Council would unanimously condemn the expulsions of 12 Palestinians accused by Israel of supporting terrorism.

The 12 have filed appeals against the move. Israeli Prime Minister Yitzhak Shamir reiterated Sunday evening that the decision would not be rescinded. Defense Minister Moshe Arens ordered the expulsions in response to a series of four killings of Jewish settlers over 10 weeks in the occupied territories.