WORLD IN BRIEF : ISRAEL : Loan Guarantees Revised by U.S.

The Bush Administration revised an agreement to provide Israel with up to $10 billion in loan guarantees to ensure that there will be no cost to American taxpayers, Rep. David R. Obey (D-Wis.), chairman of the House foreign aid subcommittee, said. Under the original plan, Israel’s contribution to the costs of the guarantees would have been limited to 3.5% of the face value of the loans. As rewritten, the agreement calls for Israel to pay all costs--a kind of risk insurance--which could be as much as 8%. The change appears to clear the way for congressional passage of the guarantees.