The Palestine Chronology

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets in Tunis with U.S. State Dept. official Dennis Ross, NSC official Martin Indyk, then flies to Cairo for meetings with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, American Jewish Congress trustees seeking end to Arab boycott of Israel. Ross proceeds to Amman for talks with Jordanian officials. (Radio Jordan 10/19 in FBIS 10/20; WP 10/21)

Syria, Saudi Arabia issue joint statement in Riyadh on peace process, saying "'just and comprehensive" settlement only achievable with Israel's "full withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories," including Golan. (MM 10/10)

Israel frees Salim Husayn al-Zrai, 50, held in prison 23 years. Sentenced to life imprisonment in 1970 for infiltration attempt, Fateh activist released because of PLO adherence to its 9/13 commitment not to attack Israel. Release of this longest-held Palestinian prisoner of Israel interpreted as indicating future mass release of Palestinian prisoners. (CSM, NYT 10/20)

Israeli defense officials announce failure of 10/14 test of U.S.-funded Arrow missile. Another test in August also failed, and the GAO issued a report that month criticizing Israeli management of the program (see 10/23). (WT 10/20)

Likud Central Comm. meets in Tel Aviv to consider plans by Binyamin Netanyahu, Ariel Sharon, and Meir Shitreet on autonomy schemes alternative to DoP. (MM 10/19)

Delegates fr. 43 countries open 3-day meeting in Tunis on improving quality of life of Palestinian refugees in o.t., Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. Topics include family reunification, job training, and setting up data base on number and location of refugees. Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin, heading Israeli delegation, says Israel will increase number of Palestinians allowed to return to o.t. annually under family reunification fr. 1,000 to 5,000. Lebanon and Syria do not attend. (WP 10/13)

House of Representatives approves by voice vote lifting restrictions on PLO activities in U.S. Vote allows PLO offices in New York and Washington to operate openly, grants PLO observer status at International Monetary Fund, and lets PLO receive U.S. funds fr. international organizations. Bill complements 9/29 Senate measure, goes back to Senate for final action, then to Pres. Clinton for approval. (WT 10/13)

Undercover IDF unit kills fugitive Palestinian in Gaza Strip. PLO sources identify him as Nael Reefi, 24, mbr. of "Fateh Hawks" group. Witnesses say he dropped his weapon and shouted "I surrender" before being shot. In separate incident, mbr. of Islamic Jihad killed in clash with soldiers while crossing fence separating Israel from Gaza Strip. (MM, WP, WT 10/6)

Syrian FM al-Shara' meets in Washington with Secy. of State Christopher in 1st visit to U.S. by such a senior Syrian official in 2 decades. Al-Shara' relays proposal fr. Syrian Pres. al-Asad for meeting with U.S. Pres. Clinton in effort to break deadlock in Syrian-Israeli talks. Al-Shara' says such a meeting "would help very much the peace process." Christopher declines to comment on proposal. (NYT, WP 10/6)

Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan, speaking to UNGA, says Jordan cannot accept portions of PLO-Israel accord dealing with water, energy, security, and refugees, stating, "Some issues cannot be addressed by any two parties to the exclusion of others. The questions of regional security, water, and above all the refugees, cannot be resolved without direct reference to the neighboring states." (CSM 10/13)

Clinton administration recommends to Congress that $437 m. be cut fr. the $2 b. in U.S. loan guarantees to Israel in FY 1994. Cut is dollar-for-dollar penalty for Israeli spending on settlements in o.t. (NYT, WP 10/6)

World Bank VP Caio Koch-Weser, in briefing to Washington Institute for Near East Policy, Qutlines plan for assistance to Palestinian entity. Major priorities of scheme include building infrastructure, upgrading tax system, and strengthening public administration. Estimated costs of project are $300 m. per year for 5 years plus $125 m. in relief funds. World Bank is to send 40 experts to Tunis for consultations with PLO before survey of conditions on ground in o.t. (WT 10/6)