The Palestine Chronology

Def. Sec. Cheney fires Air Force chief of staff Gen. Dugan for remarks made 9/15. Dismissal is approved by Pres. Bush [NYT, LAT, WT, WP 9/18; CSM 9/19; FJ 9/24].

Saudi Arabia and Soviet Union sign agreement in Moscow restoring diplomatic relations after 52-year hiatus; agreement signed by Saudi F.M. Saud al-Faisal [MEM 9/17; NYT, WP, LAT, WT 9/18; MET 9/25].

Foreign ministers of the 12 EC nations agree to expel military personnel from Iraqi embassies in their capitals and to limit travel of other Iraqi diplomats in Europe [NYT, WP, LAT, WT 9/18; CSM 9/19].

Israeli D.M. Moshe Arens, in Washington for 2d visit in 2 months, meets with U.S. officials, expresses concern about expected $20 billion in U.S. arms sales to Saudi Arabia and asks for additional $1 billion military aid to Israel [NYT, WP, LAT, WT 9/18].

Conference of Arab Popular Movements in Amman ends; issues statement denouncing military buildup in Gulf, demanding Arab solution for crisis, and calling for linkage with settlement of Arab-Israeli conflict [MEM 9/17; NYT, LAT, WP 9/18; RAY 9/18 in FBIS 9/18].

Israeli gov't decides not to seek injunction against sales of Ostrovsky and Hoy's book By Way of Deception. A Devastating Insider's Portrait of the Mossad [LAT 9/18].

Simcha Dinitz, chrmn. of Jewish Agency, says up to 2 million Soviet immigrants could arrive in Israel by end of 1995, raising current 4.5 million population by nearly 45% [WT 9/18].

Palestinians throughout O.T. observe general strike to mark 8th anniversary of Sabra and Shatila massacre [FJ 9/24; MET 9/25].

At Helsinki summit, Pres. Bush and Pres. Gorbachev issue strongly-worded statement declaring unconditional support for economic and political sanctions against Iraq [LAT, NYT, WT, WP, CSM 9/10]; Pres. Bush drops longstanding opposition to Soviet involvement in Middle East peace process [NYT, WT, WP 9/11].

Israeli gov't is reported to have won court order temporarily blocking Canadian publication of Victor Ostrosky and Claire Hoy's book By Way of Deception: A Devastating Insider's Portrait of the Mossad [NYT 9/10; JPD 9/10 in FBIS 9/10].

Israeli police investigators recommend placing 9 police officers on trial for torturing Palestinians at Jerusalem's main jail, but high-ranking officials request review of evidence before charges are filed [NYT 9/10].

Saudi officials say their country will continue to support the Palestinians until they achieved an independent state, despite Palestinian support for Iraq [WT 9/10; MET 9/18].

More than 300 American women and children evacuated from Kuwait leave Amman to U.S. [WP 9/10; ADS 9/9 in FBIS 9/10].

'Abd-al-'Aziz Rantisi, a founder of Hamas, calls on Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait, urging Saddam to act according to Muslim law rather than according to personal likes and dislikes; Rantisi also calls for removal of U.S. troops from region [HAA 9/10 in FBIS 9/11].

Palestinians in O.T. observe general strike to mark beginning of 34th month of intifada [FJ 9/17].

After 3 days of fierce gun battles in S. Lebanon, Fateh troops loyal to Arafat over-run last stronghold of forces loyal to Abu Nidal; 18 people are reported dead [BDS 9/9 in FBIS 9/10; NYT, WP 9/10; WT 9/11; MET 9/18].