The Palestine Chronology

According to New York Times, Saudi Arabia and the Gulf states have suspended some $40 million in monthly contributions to the PLO because of PLO's support of Iraq [NYT 10/18].

Expressing concern that U.S. could go to war against Iraq while Congress was in recess, Senate Foreign Relations Committee demands Pres. Bush obtain congressional approval before taking military action. Demand is rebuffed by White House and Sec. Baker, who says the pres. will "consult" with Congress if need be [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 10/18].

For. Sec. Hurd says he failed to convince Israelis to accept UN team investigating Haram al-Sharif incident; 28 prominent Palestinians cancel scheduled meeting with Hurd after local press reports 10/16 comments; Hurd says papers misinterpreted his comments [MEM 10/17; NYT, WT 10/18; JDS 10/17 in FBIS 10/17, 10/18].

Egypt's most prominent newspaper Al-Ahram assails King Hussein as co-conspirator with Saddam, saying King Hussein acknowledged in an interview with New York Times he knew in advance of Iraq's invasion of Kuwait. Al-Ahram's version of the interview is at odds with the Times article, which says King Hussein knew of the invasion only at 6:00 am on 8/2 [NYT 10/18].

Arab League emergency session, called for by Palestine to discuss Haram al-Sharif shootings, opens in Tunis (cf. 10/18) [SPA 10/17 in FBIS 10/18].

Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek says he would meet with the UN delegation sent to investigate Haram al-Sharif incident [JPD 10/16 in FBIS 10/16; MEM 10/16; NYT, LAT, WT 10/17].

U.S. is urging Britain to tone down resolution it plans to introduce in UN Sec. Council that would require Iraq to pay compensation for damage resulting from invasion of Kuwait. Sources say Washington fears that Arab nations would demand similar action against Israel for its occupation of land claimed by Palestinians [NYT 10/16].

U.S. also urges Israel to accept UN investigation into Haram al-Sharif killings, saying not to do so is to "let Iraq off the hook" as far as accepting UN resolutions [LAT, WP, NYT 10/16].

"Popular Kuwaiti Congress" ends its 3-day meeting in Jeddah with communique strongly supporting ruling family, calling upon UN to "use all available means" to liberate Kuwait [NYT, LAT, WP, WT, MEM 10/16; SPA 10/15 in FBIS 10/17].

In speech before Knesset, P.M. Shamir attacks pillars of U.S. policy in Middle East; while he does not mention U.S. or Bush admin. directly, Shamir criticizes sale of arms to Arab nations, efforts to arrange Israeli-Palestinian peace talks, and promotion of close relations with countries that are hostile to Israel [LAT, WP 10/16].

P.M. Shamir sends letter to Pres. Bush asking him to "put the Temple Mount incident behind us," also reiterates Israel's refusal to accept UN investigation of Haram al-Sharif shootings [LAT 10/18].

One-day meeting of Jerusalem Committee of the Islamic Conference Organization occurs in Rabat with King Hassan, Chrrnn. Arafat, and Saudi F.M. Prince Saud al-Faisal in attendance [RADS 10/15 in FBIS 10/16].

At press conference, E. Jerusalem-based Palestine Human Rights Information Center (PHRIC) revises downwards death toll from Haram al-Sharif killings to 17 instead of 21 (2 of reported dead were injured but survived, 1 died of heart attack, and 1 was shot by Israeli civilian elsewhere in city). Other human rights groups, including Al-Haq, subsequently follow [MEM 10/26]. 

Israel reacts angrily to effort in UN Sec. Council to seek resolution condemning Israel for Haram al-Sharif shootings and to U.S. role; maintains it is the victim of Arab plot [NYT, LAT, WP 10/13].

Nonetheless, voting late, Sec. Council unanimously condemns Israel for shootings and calls for UN team to investigate incident, but contains no reference to need to protect Palestinians in O.T. (cf. 10/13) [WP 10/13; NYT 10/14; MEM 10/15].

Iraq warns USSR it could delay the departure of some of the 5,000 Soviet citizens still in Iraq if Moscow supplies Washington with information about Iraq's Soviet-supplied weapons and defense capabilities [NYT 10/131.

Morocco's King Hassan asserts there is a "moral linkage" between Iraq's invasion of Kuwait and the Arab-Israeli issues, and urges Iraq to leave Kuwait having made this linkage apparent [NYT 10/14].

Israel uses water cannons, curfews and roadblocks to keep thousands of Palestinians from attending prayer services on Haram al-Sharif [LAT 10/13].

Speaker of Egypt's Parliament and second-ranking official, Rifaat al-Mahgoub, is assassinated (cf. 10/27) [MENA 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; MEM 10/12, 10/13; NYT, LAT, WP 10/13].

UN Sec. Council votes 14-1 to impose embargo on air traffic to and from Iraq and Kuwait. The sole "nay" vote is cast by Cuba [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 9/26; MET 10/9]; in hard-hitting speech at Gen. Assembly, Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze suggests Moscow would support military operation against Iraq if sanctions fail, and warns war may be imminent if Saddam does not leave Kuwait [WP 9/26; NYT 9/26, 9/27; MEM 9/26; CSM 9/27].

In 75-min. speech broadcast in its entirety on CNN (excerpts on major networks), Saddam tells American television audience that Iraq is the victim of conspiracies [INA 9/26 in FBIS 9/26; NYT, WP, WT, MEM 9/26].

U.S. House Appropriations Committee shelves Pres. Bush's request to cancel Egypt's military debt to U.S. after being told it faced certain defeat (cf. 9/30) [MEM 9/26].

After 4 days of talks in Teheran, Pres. Asad and Pres. Rafsanjani declare "full agreement" on opposition to Iraq's invasion of Kuwait [MEM 9/25; NYT 9/26].

Asad is credited with bringing Iran into anti-Iraq camp, persuading Iranian leadership to recast call to jihad against West as measure to be taken only if West stays on after Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait [NYT 10/11].

Saudi Arabia expels 12 more diplomats from Jordanian consulate and embassy; Jordan recalls its ambassador in protest [NYT 9/26].

Israel's Supreme Court rules army can raze Palestinian houses and shops around area where IDF soldier was killed on 9/20. Court says demolitions are urgent military need, and can proceed if homeowners are given compensation [WP, LAT, WT 9/26; FJ 10/6; MET 10/9].

After visit to Bureij refugee camp, UNRWA commissioner general expresses concern about demolition of houses and shops, says there is a disproportion between the 9/20 killing and Israel's response [JDS 9/26 in FBIS 9/27].

Israeli think tank Jafee Center issues annual report "Intemnational Terrorism 1989" attributing to Middle East groups only 8.9% of 406 incidents recorded; report states Fateh helped Western security agencies curb terror and that Palestinian attacks outside Israel declined sharply [MEM 9/26].

2 U.S. Apache attack helicopters sold to Israel for $350 million each are met at air base by P.M. Shamir, who says U.S. is "obliged" to maintain Israel's military advantage over its Arab neighbors. Sale is part of deal that includes 16 additional Apaches, 60 F-16 fighter-bombers, 10 Sikorsky helicopters, and Stinger missiles [LAT 9/13].

Iran's "supreme leader" Ayatollah Khamenei declares jihad against U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia, calls American policy "greedy, bullying, and shameless"; denounces Saudis for inviting Americans in, he states: "a force that enters a country to defend it will grow to impose its will on the host and to humiliate it" [LAT, NYT, WT, WP, MEM 9/13].

PLO Exec. Committee releases statement in Tunis on Gulf situation, stressing linkage issue and regretting U.S. stance; Arafat meets with King Hussein on political solutions to Gulf crisis "within an Arab framework" [MEM 9/13].

In response to lawsuit brought by Israeli gov't, state supreme court in New York issues temporary order blocking U.S. publication of Victor Ostrosky and Claire Hoy's book By Way of Deception. A Devastating Insider's Portrait of the Mossad [NYT, WT, WP 9/13].

Pres. Asad, preparing for meeting with Sec. Baker on 9/14, says U.S. troops will leave Saudi Arabia when crisis is over: "The problem now is not the presence of foreign troops in the gulf. The problem is Iraq's invasion of Kuwait.... When it is over I am sure that all foreign troops will withdraw" [NYT, WT 9/13].

In Mecca, International Islamic Conference attended by 350 Islamic scholars from 80 countries ends after 3 days of heated debate; communique calls for Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait, finds foreign troop presence in Saudi Arabia legitimate under current circumstances but emphasizes that they must leave region as soon as Iraq withdraws; calls for creation of permanent Pan-Islamic force for future conflicts  [SPA 9/13 in FBIS 9/13; LAT, WP 9/14].

On tour of Middle East, Chrmn. of U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, Gen. Colin Powell, arrives in Riyadh on 2-day visit to Gulf [WAKH 9/13, 9/14, SPA 9/13 in FBIS 9/14].

Speaking before European Parliament, Italian F.M. Andreotti says Gulf crisis could make more difficult a solution to Palestinian and Lebanese conflicts; he repeats EC's support for UN resolution demanding Israeli withdrawal from W. Bank and Gaza [MEM 9/13].

EC passes resolution 301 to 37 condemning Iraqi invasion, calling for withdrawal, but stating that only diplomatic solution can resolve crisis [MEM 9/13].

Speaking before joint session of Congress, Pres. Bush declares "Iraq will not be permit- ted to annex Kuwait," and hints military force might be used if economic sanctions fail [NYT, WT, WP 9/12; CSM 9/13].

Iraq agrees to permit Arab-born male U.S. citizens to join women and children in airlift from occupied Kuwait [LAT 9/12].

Clovis Maksoud, Arab League's UN observer and its chief representative to the U.S., resigns citing bitter divisions in the Arab world since Iraq's invasion of Kuwait [NYT, WP 9/12; FJ 9/24].

Israel's 100,000th immigrant this year is greeted at Ben-Gurion Airport with fanfare and visit from Minister Yitzhak Peretz [WT 9/14; FJ 9/17].

King Fahd donates $5 million to international organizations concerned with aiding refugees from Kuwait and Iraq who have fled to Jordan [RTS 9/11 in FBIS 9/12].

After 2 days of talks in Iran, Iraqi delegation under F.M. Aziz (1st high-level visit since 1979 revolution) announces it will restore full diplomatic ties [NYT, LAT 9/11].

Sec. Baker calls on NATO members to send ground-based forces to join U.S. units in Saudi Arabia; announces he will visit Syria [LAT, NYT, WT, WP 9/11].

General Federation of Trade Unions in O.T. estimate 56,675 Palestinians have been deported from Saudi Arabia and the Gulf region since Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, but urge them to try to return to their jobs as little work is available in O.T. [LAT, MEM 9/11; FJ 9/17].

In gesture to break embargo, Saddam Hussein offers free oil to developing nations that defy armada of international warships in the region [NYT, WT, MEM, WP 9/11; MET 9/18].

After much debate, foreign ministers of 12 of 21 Arab League members agree to move Arab League's headquarters to Cairo from Tunis (Iraq, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, Mauritania, Jordan, Yemen, and PLO boycott meeting); 5-member committee supervising relocation given 60 days to complete move [MENA 9/9 in FBIS 9/11; WT, MEM 9/11; CSM 9/12; FJ 9/17; MET 9/18]. 

Military sources report Syrian air force has issued orders to allow NATO spy planes leaving British bases in Cyprus to overfly Syria as they monitor Iraqi troop positions [AVP 9/10 in FBIS 9/11].

3-day meeting of International Islamic Conference opens in Mecca; King Fahd sends message to conference stating foreign troops will be asked to leave Saudi Arabia after the crisis has ended (cf. 9/12) [RTS 9/11, SPA 9/13 in FBIS 9/13].

Trial of former IDF reservist Ami Popper, accused of murdering 8 Palestinians in Gaza on 5/20, opens in Tel Aviv [MET 9/18].

Iraq extends administrative border of Bas- rah several kms. south into Kuwait and declares the rest of Kuwaiti territory its 19th province, renaming it after Saddam [MEM 8/28; INA 8/28 in FBS 8/28; LAT, WT 8/29; MET 9/11].

Saddam decrees foreign women and children may leave Iraq beginning 8/29 (cf. 8/29, 8/30) [INA 8/28 in FBIS 8/29; NYT, LAT, WT, WP 8/29; MET, MEM 9/11].

Morocco elects to keep its Kuwaiti embassy open, says personnel there have become "hostages like a number of other foreigners"; Morocco expels 2 Iraqi diplomats in response to Iraq's measures against foreign embassies in Kuwait [MAP 8/29 in FBIS 8/30].

Jordan informs Iraq that it will abide by UN resolutions and enforce embargo to protest invasion of Kuwait [AFP 8/29 in FBIS 8/30].

On visit to N. Africa, Pres. Asad arrives in Alexandria and meets with Pres. Mubarak to discuss Gulf crisis [MENA 8/28 in FBIS 8/28; MET 9/11]. 

Unnamed U.S. official says small guerrilla bands in Kuwait have killed or wounded "a couple of hundred" Iraqi troops and have destroyed handful of tanks and trucks [NYT 8/30; MET 9/11].

Saudi civil defense authorities order more than 2 million gas masks for distribution to population in event of Iraqi chemical attack [LAT 8/29; WP 8/31]. 

Pres. Bush authorizes call-up of U.S. military reserves for active duty to bolster forces in Gulf [WT 8/22; NYT, LAT, WT, WP 8/23; MET 9/4].

U.S. announces it will defy Iraqi orders, and keep its Kuwaiti embassy open past 8/24 deadline; nonessential personnel are to be evacuated [NYT, WT, WP 8/23; MET 9/4].

Saudi officials announce, as of 9/1, they will suspend daily exports of jet and diesel fuel, and divert much of it to American military as down payment on reimbursement for U.S. aid in Gulf crisis [NYT 8/23].

Mideast Mirror reports that a poll published in Egyptian newspaper Al-Ahali finds 72% oppose Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, 24% support Saddam; 86% oppose foreign intervention and 74% say Egyptian troops should not fight Arab brothers in Iraq if war breaks out [MEM 8/22].

P.M. Shamir appears on Israeli television, says Israel is not seeking any role in Gulf crisis, but wams Baghdad it "will pay a terrible price" for an attack on Israel [WP, MEM 8/23].

B'Tselem issues report on housing construction in O.T. claiming some 13,000 W. Bank houses have been built without the required permits; report sharply criticizes Israeli permit procedures [HAA 8/23 in FBIS 8/24; FJ 8/27].

Islamic Conference Organization, meeting in Cairo, issues statement condemning Iraqi invasion of Kuwait; 6 of 30 states "refrained from approving" the resolution: Iraq, Jordan, Palestine, Yemen, Sudan, and Mauritania [MENA 8/4 in FBIS 8/6].

Washington Post reports Iraqi invasion of Kuwait has created complex problems for Palestinian leadership; worries that popular Palestine support for Saddam Hussein will overshadow intifada [WP 8/ 5].

Yasir Arafat arrives in Alexandria and meets with Pres. Mubarak [MENA 8/4 in FBIS 8/6].

New York Times reports that housing shortages in Israel have forced 1,576 families to live in tents; gov't. officials say 17,135 immigrants arrived in July, of which 15,294 were from USSR [NYT 8/ 5].