
                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, December 12, 1993                   TAG: 9312120076
SECTION: VIRGINIA                    PAGE: C-4   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: RICHMOND                                LENGTH: Short

WILDER NAMES MIDDLE EAST COMMISSION

Five weeks before he leaves office, Gov. Douglas Wilder on Friday named a commission to advise him on Middle East peace.

Wilder, who plans to run for the U.S. Senate next year, asked the commission to report to him by Jan. 7 "on efforts the state and its citizens can make in securing peace in the Middle East."

Wilder leaves office Jan. 15.

The governor named Jay Weinberg of Richmond and Najeeb Halaby of Arlington to co-chair the 15-member commission.

Wilder said the signing of a peace treaty this year between Israeli and Palestinian leaders created opportunities for Virginians.

"Virginia can assist in preserving and enhancing this important movement toward peace and pluralism in the Middle East by expanding trade, encouraging investment and initiating educational and cultural exchanges with Israel and the Arab states," he said.

by CNB