11.   Arafat needs a two-thirds majority in the PNC to amend the charter.

12.   Arafat promised during the Israel-PLO peace talks that he would amend the charter by spring.

13.   Arafat has warned hardline opponents that if they voted against amending the charter, they would be responsible for the Palestinians missing yet another historic opportunity.

14.   Asked Wednesday night whether the PNC would amend the charter before Israeli elections, Arafat was evasive.

15.   Badwan told The Associated Press in Damascus that Palestinian leader Arafat should not amend the charter while Israel is building settlements on Palestinian.

16.   Clinton is to attend the PNC meeting Monday during which delegates plan to amend the charter.

17.   Israel has threatened to delay negotiations on a final peace settlement, scheduled to start in May, unless the PLO amends the charter.

18.   Israel has warned PLO leader Yasser Arafat it would freeze peace talks unless he made good on his pledge to amend the charter.

19.   Israel insists that it will freeze peace talks with the PLO unless it amends the charter.

20.   Kaddoumi said he rejected amending the charter because Israel has not fulfilled its obligations under self-rule agreements it reached with the Palestinians.