The Palestine Chronology

Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi hold meeting at Islamic College of Hebron to explain what transpired at Madrid. Fights break out between supporters, opponents of peace process. (Qol Yisra'el 11/13 in FBIS 11/14)

Additional members of the political committees resign (See 11/12) (Qol Yisra'el 11/13 in FBIS 11/14)

In Washington, West Bank academic Sari Nusseibeh, the driving force behind creation of the political committees, meets with State Department officials, requests U.S. intervention with Israel to assure Palestinians in o.t. be given freedom to express themselves politically, an essential step if the committees and other forms of political expression are to succeed. (MEM 11/14)

In Damascus, Fateh Central Comm. mbr. 'Abbas Zaki states that Fateh, Syria have agreed to normalize relations. Fateh-Syrian discussions have been ongoing since a Fateh delegation's arrival in Damascus 11/8. (AFP 11/13 in FBIS 11/14)

PLO Executive Committee begins meeting in Tunis to discuss the venue for second phase of peace talks. (MEM 11/14) 

Palestinian delegates return to West Bank via Allenby Bridge as thousands cheer them in Jericho. Member of advisory committee to delegation Ziyad Abu Zayyad announces establishment of"political committees" throughout o.t. to advise Palestinian delegates, reportedly under the leadership of Sari Nusseibeh in the West Bank and As'ad al-Saftawi in Gaza. DM Moshe Arens, Chief-of-Staff Ehud Barak, Police Min. Ronni Milo brief Israeli cabinet on decrease in intifada activities during the week after the peace conference, noting that incidents such as rock throwing have decreased 30% in West Bank and 70% in Gaza. (WP, MEM 11/11)

A poll described as the largest ever carried out in Israel is published, revealing that 74% of Israelis are ready to yield territory in the West Bank and Gaza for peace. Thirty-one percent stated that land in the Golan Heights should be exchanged for peace. (MEM 11/11)

Palestinian negotiators Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, Zakariya al-Agha, Sari Nusseibeh meet Secy. of State Baker in Washington to discuss Palestinian participation in proposed peace conference. (MEM, NYT 10/11)

For the first time, China admits that Israeli-Chinese meetings took place in Beijing between Chinese officials and representatives of Israel's foreign ministry. Latter had been invited to China by Israel's semi-official representative office, and spoke with their Chinese counterparts while in the country. Israel also confirms that the meetings were held. (MEM 10/10; Qol Yisra'el 10/10 in FBIS 10/11)

UN Secy. Gen. de Cuellar informs Lebanon that Lebanese army cannot deploy in areas in S. Lebanon controlled by UNIFIL forces. Lebanese officials claim de Cuellar had indicated the army would be allowed to operate in UNIFIL areas during talks between Lebanese, UN officials in September in New York. (Radio Lebanon 10/10, 10/11; Voice of Lebanon 10/11 in FBIS 10/11)

Israeli gov't. formally retracts agreement made last week between F.M. Levy and Sec. Baker on format for regional peace talks. P.M. Shamir says Levy went too far, Levy accuses Shamir of "getting cold feet" [NYT 4/29; JDS 4/28 in FBIS 4/29; MET 5/7].

Saudi Prince Khalid bin Sultan, commander of allied Arab forces, says he does not think Saudi Arabia would need or want larger American military presence than it had before Gulf war [NYT 4/29].

Israeli authorities release Sari Nusseibeh from prison, 3 months after he was detained on charges of spying for Iraq [NYT, MEM 4/29; FJ 5/6].

Syria calls for increased Iranian role in postwar Gulf security arrangements as Pres. Asad and Pres. Rafsanjani hold 2d day of talks in Damascus [WP 4/29]. Rafsanjani also meets with PFLP-GC delegation [QUD 4/29 in FBIS 4/30].

Yasir Abd Rabbo, PLO information chief who headed PLO delegation to Moscow last week, tells media "the Soviet Union believes the peace process cannot take off without the participation of the PLO" [MEM 4/29].

Six U.S. helicopter crewmen are killed in 2 separate crashes; 3 airmen are missing after B-52 crashes in Indian Ocean [LAT, NYT, WP, WT, MEM 2/4].

Investigators confirm that 7 U.S. soldiers killed 1/31 were victims of friendly fire [LAT, NYT, WP, MEM, WT 2/4].

Allied air war passes 40,000 sortie mark; U.S. command reports that 25 of 35 major Iraqi bridges leading to Iraqi front line have been destroyed as allies continue pounding Iraqi positions. 68 Iraqi aircraft are reported destroyed, and number of Iraqi prisoners stands at "about 800" [LAT, NYT, WP 2/4].

EC foreign ministers meet in Brussels for 1st time since war began [LAT, MEM 2/4].

Knesset approves cabinet addition of anti-Arab Rehavam Zeevi, former general [IDF, JDS 2/3 in FBIS 2/4; LAT, NYT, WP, MEM 2/4].

In Rabat, at least 300,000 people take to streets in pro-Iraqi demonstration [PDS 2/3 in FBIS 2/4; NYT 2/4; LAT 2/5].

Jerusalem District Court confirms detention of Sari Nusseibeh, reducing sentence from 6 to 3 months. Nusseibeh was detained on 1/29 as alleged spy for Iraq [IDF 2/3 in FBIS 2/4].

Lebanese gov't. says it has arrested 4 senior Palestinian fighters, including top aid to Abu Nidal, and is sending troops to S. Lebanon to check PLO military power there [NYT 2/4].