The Palestine Chronology

Government, business leaders fr. 80 countries meet in Casablanca for 3-day Middle East-North Africa Economic Summit to discuss regional stability, investment, development. Secy. of State Christopher encourages Arab states to end boycott of Israel, set up regional trade block. Lebanon, Syria boycott conference. (WT 10/30; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/31)

Israeli PM Rabin, Arafat meet in Casablanca, agree to station Palestinians at crossing points, reach no agmt. on elections. Rabin says IDF will hit Hamas in autonomous areas if Arafat does not, borders will reopen soon. Asked if reopening ends Rabin's "national separation" plan (see 10/19), spokesman Uri Dromi says "separation is easier said than done, and you can't do it overnight." (WT 10/30; NYT, WP, WT 10/31; VOP 10/31 in FBIS 11/1)

3,000 Palestinians rally to protest Israel-Jordan agmt. in Gaza. King Hussein reiterates that he is not competing for territorial control over West Bank, Gaza; says he will give control of religious site in East Jerusalem to Arafat when PNA is "ready to take up such responsibilities." (WT 10/31)

European Community (EC) delegation headed by German FM Helmut Schiffer arrives in Damascus for 3 days of discussions with Syrian government officials regarding peace process, EC financial aid to Syria, Syrian-EC relations. (SARR 10/29, Syrian Television 10/29, 10/30 in FBIS 11/2)

Israeli PM Rabin, Israeli officials express displeasure with Syrian Pres. al-Asad's lack of movement, refusal to condemn terrorism during Clinton visit. (NYT, WP 10/29; MEI 11/4)

Pres. Clinton leaves Israel for Kuwait, Saudi Arabia. (NYT, WP, WT 10/29)

U.S. Secy. of State Christopher hints U.S. will improve ties with Syria if Pres. al-Asad signs agmt. with Israel, calls for international ban on financial aid to Hamas. (MM, NYT 10/25; WT 10/26)

King Hussein, angry at Arafat's criticism of agmt. with Israel, gives speech to army indirectly warning Arafat not to undermine Jordanian security, alludes to Black September. (MM 10/25)

By vote of 56 to 51, Israeli government defeats 3 no-confidence motions put before Knesset by Likud, Moledet, National Religious Party, Tsomet in reaction to bus bombing. (MM 10/25)

Israeli Dep. FM Beilin says that official talks with Hamas are possible, if Hamas is truly interested in reducing tensions. (MM 10/24, 10/25)

Israeli FM Peres says he asked Jordan to close Hamas offices in Amman but Jordan refused saying offices do political, not military, work. (QY 10/24 in FBIS 10/25; Al-Madj 10/31 in FBIS 11/2)

Israeli delegation arrives in Bahrain on 1st official visit ever to prepare for multilaterals on environment. (MM 10/24; WJW 10/27)

Hamas vows to disrupt signing of Israeli-Jordanian agmt. 10/26, Pres. Clinton's visit to Jerusalem 10/27. (WP 10/25)

Palestinian police report only 30 of the 200-300 Hamas mbrs. arrested following kidnapping of IDF soldier are still in custody. Hamas says 80. (WP 10/25) (see 10/12)

PNA Planning M Shaath, Israeli FM Peres hold Supreme Liaison Comm. mtg. in Cairo; agree to resume talks, continue implementing of peace accord; appoint comm. to discuss PNA role at border crossings, free movement btwn. Gaza, Jericho; discuss methods of curbing Hamas. (WP, WT 10/23; MENA, QY 10/24 in FBIS 10/24; WT 10/24)

FM Peres meets with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, discusses peace process, movement on Syrian track, upcoming Casablanca economic summit. (IDF Radio, MENA 10/23 in FBIS 10/24)

Israeli cabinet approves bringing in 19,000 new foreign workers to compensate for labor shortage caused by closure of the territories. (MM 10/24; JP 11/5)

Palestinian, Nidal Tamimi, is killed in confrontation with IDF at Hebron checkpoint. Amateur video tape is released showing wounded, unconscious Tamimi being shot in head by soldier. Tape ignites furor. (WP 11/4; WT 11/16)

Islamic Jihad dismisses Sec. Gen. Fayiz al-Aswad, divests him of all powers, elects Shaykh Husayn Anbar as new leader. (RMC 10/23 in FBIS 10/24)

Israel says it has arrested 50 Hamas mbrs. in West Bank since bus bombing 10/19. (MM, NYT 10/24; WP 10/25)

Pres. Clinton announces he will visit Syria during upcoming visit to Middle East despite advisors fears of domestic criticism, hopes to gain greater assurances fr. Pres. al-Asad. (NYT, WP 10/22; WT 10/23, 10/24; CSM 10/24)

IDF announces it has begun sweep for Hamas activists, says government is considering deporting Hamas leaders. (HA 10/21, IDF Radio 10/23 in FBIS 10/24)

23 killed, 48 wounded when Hamas suicide bomber blows up bus in Tel Aviv. PM Rabin seals Gaza, West Bank indefinitely; vows hit suspects, their families; promises legislation permitting greater pressure in interrogations, wider use of collective punishment; suggests "national separation" of Palestinians, Israelis. (QY 10/18, 10/19 in FBIS 10/19; MM 10/19; QY 10/19 in FBIS 10/20; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/20; MM 10/21; NYT 10/24; JP 10/29)

FM Peres says all negotiating tracks will continue despite bus attack, says Hamas's goal is to derail talks and there is "no way on earth" that will happen. (NYT 10/20)

Round of Israeli-Palestinian talks on elections concludes in Cairo, working papers exchanged, no decisions reported. (MENA 10/19 in FBIS 10/20)

U.S. officials report intense debate over whether Clinton should visit Syria on trip to Middle East 10/26. Clinton wants to see Pres. al-Asad to jump start peace talks, advisors say al-Asad has not offered enough concessions to warrant presidential visit. (WT 10/20)

IDF, SLA kill 7 Lebanese in shelling of Nabatiyeh hours after bus bombing. UN protests Israeli escalation of tensions, IDF use of tank shells packed with steel darts. (NYT 10/21; NYT, WP, WT 10/22; NYT 10/23)

Arafat calls Jordanian-Israeli agmt. betrayal of Palestinian interest, "outrageous infringement" on DOP; expresses outrage that King Hussein did not confer with him. Syrian Pres. al-Asad warns leasing plan will not work for Golan. Other PNA, Fatah figures (e.g., Marwan Barghouti, Ilyas Frayj, Faisal Husseini, Rajub, Shaath) welcome agmt. (NYT, WP, WT 10/19; ITV 10/17, QY, RE 10/18, in FBIS 10/18; JP 10/29)

Syrian Pres. al-Asad condemns Jordan-Israel agmt., says it will not set precedent for Syrian-Israeli negotiations; leaves for Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak, discuss Jordanian-Israeli treaty, peace talks, Iraq. (MM 10/18; MENA 10/18 in FBIS 10/19; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/19; WJW 9/27)

Talks on elections resume in Cairo. Due to recent Hamas attacks, PNA says it will exclude those opposed to peace process from participating in elections, will allow Israelis to sit on election supervisory comm. (AFP 10/18 in FBIS 10/18; MENA 10/19 in FBIS 10/19)

Israeli-Jordanian talks resume in Aqaba to discuss final details of treaty; start outlining joint development projects (to be finalized within 9 mos.) (RJ 10/18 in FBIS 10/18)

Trilateral US-Jordan-Israel mtg. held to discuss aid, economic issues. (RJ 10/18 in FBIS 10/18)

Israel suspends all negotiations with PLO after Hamas announces it is holding an IDF soldier hostage. Hamas says it will kill the soldier 10/14 if 200 Palestinian prisoners--inc. Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, Shaykh Salah Shehadeh, Shaykh `Abd al-Karim Obeid, Mustafa al-Dirani--are not released. PM Rabin calls emergency cabinet mtg., suspends transfer of aid fr. donor countries, seals Gaza, says he holds Arafat responsible. Arafat condemns abduction, calls mtg. of PSF. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/12; AFP, ITV, JP, Al-Quds radio 10/11, MENA, VOP , QY 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; CSM 10/13; HA 10/14 in FBIS 10/14)

Jordanian, Palestinian officials conclude talks in Amman, announce broad agmts. on trade, customs, banking, civil aviation; agree to draw up position papers on Awqaf, refugees. (JT 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; JTV 10/12 in FBIS 10/13)

U.S. FM Christopher meets with Syrian Pres. al-Asad, says both Syria, Israel have made significant movements towards peace, says he has been pleased al-Asad has taken U.S. advice and made public gestures showing he is serious. (SARR 10/11 in FBIS 10/11; WP 10/12)

FM Christopher leaves Syria for Amman, meets with King Hussein, Crown Prince Hassan to discuss U.S.-Jordanian relations, peace talks, Iraqi maneuvers. (JTV 10/11 in FBIS 10/12, MM 10/12)

PM Rabin confirms that rifles used in Hamas attack 10/10 were AK47's belonging to the Palestinian police. (NYT 10/12)

The Nobel committee decides to award the Nobel Peace Prize to PLO chmn. Arafat, Israeli PM Rabin. (MM 10/11; NYT, WT 10/12; CSM, WJW 10/13; MM 10/14)

U.S. Commerce Sec. Ron Brown holds mtg. with mbrs. of Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) delegation of Palestinian businessmen on 5-day visit to seek American funding for projects in West Bank, Gaza. (WT 10/12; JP 10/15)

Iraqi retreat is detected by U.S. intelligence. Pres. Clinton says it is too early to reach conclusions on Saddam Hussein's action, U.S. will continue reinforcement of the Gulf, may press for enlarging demilitarized zone along Kuwaiti border. (NYT, WP, WT 10/12)

IDF, SLA continue shelling southern Lebanon, "deport" 26 Kufr Hunah villagers fr. self-declared security zone. Lebanese FM Buwayz asks UN to act. (RL 10/11 in FBIS 10/12; MM 10/12)

U.S. FM Christopher arrives in Jerusalem for 6-day trip to promote peace btwn. Israel, Syria; says U.S. will protect Israel fr. Iraq if necessary. (MM, NYT 10/10)

2 Hamas mbrs. armed with automatic rifles, grenades attack crowd nr. King David Hotel in Jerusalem (where Secy. of State Christopher is staying), kill 2, wound 13. Police kill gunmen, take 2 other Palestinians into custody after crowd beats them. (MM, WP, WT 10/10; QY 10/10 in FBIS 10/11; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 10/11; JP 10/15)

Jordanian-Palestinian talks resume in Amman to discuss cooperation in PNA areas, economics, Awqaf issue, refugees. (JTV 10/9, 10/10 in FBIS 10/12)

Palestinian-Israeli border crossing comm. meets, does not sign agmt.; participants plan to meet within days to iron out differences on tariffs, Arafat's personal passage. (IDF Radio, VOP 10/10 in FBIS 10/11)

Clinton announces deployment of 36,000 troops to the Gulf, notes increase in Iraqi deployment to 80,000 troops which will be in striking distance of Kuwait within days. (NYT, WP, WT 10/10)

U.S. dispatches 4,000 troops to Kuwait, puts forces on alert as 14,000 Iraqi Republican Guards move toward Basra. The move, which places 64,000 prime Iraqi troops nr. Kuwaiti border, is seen as tactical attempt by Saddam Hussein to pressure UN to lift sanctions. (NYT, WP 10/8; NYT, WP, WT 10/9)

Syrian FM al-Shara` meets Pres. Clinton in Washington, delivers letter fr. Pres. al-Asad reaffirming desire for peace with Israel in exchange for full, rapid withdrawal fr. Golan. (MM 10/7; SARR 10/7 in FBIS 10/12; NYT 10/8)

FM al-Shara` is 1st Syrian official to be interviewed on ITV, gives Israeli public Syria's view of peace. No new policy statements made, but Rabin considers interview "positive step." (ITV 10/7 in FBIS 10/11; MM 10/10, 10/11)

IDF issues guidelines on handling settlers, says soldiers confronting settlers should not use force unless situation is life-threatening, gives general in charge of regional command authority to order IDF into areas controlled by PNA to quell riots. (HA 10/7 in FBIS 10/7)

IDF says some 300 of the 550 released Palestinian prisoners living in Jericho have left the autonomous area, returned to West Bank. Both IDF, PSF will look for them. (JP 10/8)

Palestinian police issue order prohibiting bus companies fr. transporting groups organized by political factions without PNA approval. Rights groups say ban violates Palestinians' right to hold political gatherings. (QY 10/7 in FBIS 10/12)

IDF receives map specifying 1st line of withdrawal fr. Golan. Only Druze settlements of Majdal Shams, Mas'adah, Buq'ata would be turned over to Syria in 1st stage, no Israeli settlements uprooted, some IDF security outposts removed. Syrian govt. said to already have map. (ITV 10/4 in FBIS 10/5)

Israeli-PNA talks on elections, hit snag when Israel objects to letting mbrs. of radical groups vote or run. Rothschild says, "We are not going to establish a creature which will then fight us." Erakat says Israel is stymieing Palestinian democracy. PNA backs down on demand for separate exec., legislative councils, agrees to 1 council serving both purposes. (WT 10/5; NYT 10/6; MEI 10/7)

U.S. State Dept. issues annual report on Israeli settlements; says Israel spent $311.8 m. on nonsecurity settlement building in 1993, $95 m. of which served U.S. security interests, hence only $216.8 m. would be deducted fr. Israel's loan guarantees. (MEI 11/4)

DFLP concludes annual conference in Damascus, reelects Hawatmeh as SG. (Al-Sharq al-Awsat 10/5 in FBIS 10/5)

Palestinian police release 20 DFLP mbrs. arrested following attack on joint patrol 9/30, say 30 are still being detained. (VOP 10/5 in FBIS 10/5)

At ceremony in Washington, Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan, Israeli FM Peres announce trade initiatives to develop Jordan Rift valley, involving transportation, water, desalinization, energy, exploitation of minerals. Plans inc. $1.5 b. canal, free-trade zone btwn. Eilat an Aqaba, Red Sea Marine Peace Park. U.S. says it will send business leaders "to help develop trade." (JTV 10/3 in FBIS 10/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/4; RJ 10/6 in FBIS 10/7; MEI 10/7)

Syrian FM al-Shara` gives speech to UNGA saying Syria wants peace, but return of Golan is not open to compromise. (Syrian Arab Television 10/3 in FBIS 10/3; SARR 10/3 in FBIS 10/5; MM 10/4; WT 10/5; ITV 10/6 in FBIS 10/7)

Israeli PM Rabin presents policy statement to Knesset, outlines components of peace with Syria, hints that agmt. with Syria would lead to mutual reduction in regular forces. (QY 10/3 in FBIS 10/3; MM 10/4)

PM Rabin wins nonbinding 53-41 Knesset vote in favor of his foreign policies, inc. Israeli request for U.S. troops to monitor any peace accord with Syria; marks effective end of Labor party rebellion started 9/7. (MM, WP 10/4; WT 10/5; WJW 10/6)

After mtg. with U.S. Secy. of State Christopher, Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz says Lebanese track will not be activated until "features of the Syrian track become clear, not before." (Al-Hayat 10/3 in FBIS 10/5)

PNA Local Affairs M Erakat, Israeli negotiator Danny Rothschild meet in Cairo for talks on elections, expanding PNA authority in the West Bank. (MM 10/3; MENA, VOP 10/4 in FBIS 10/5; WT 10/4; JP 10/8)

Arafat, angry over PSF head Col. Rajub's conflicts with Israeli police, sends Rajub to Egypt for cooling-off period. (JP 10/3 in FBIS 10/3) (see 9/16)

Arab League criticizes GCC states, Tunisia for "hasty" normalization of relations with Israel. (SARR 10/3 in FBIS 10/5)

Palestinian prisoners appeal to Pres. Clinton to intercede with Israel to gain their release. Israel says most of remaining 4,000 prisoners are mbrs. of leftist, Islamist groups opposed to peace and cannot be released now; others have attacked Israelis and will never be freed. (WT 10/4)

Tunisia, Israel agree to exchange low-level representatives as 1st step toward eventual diplomatic relations. The new econ. liaisons to operate fr. Belgian embassies in Tel Aviv, Tunis. (QY 10/2 in FBIS 10/3; CSM, NYT 10/3; WJW 10/6; JP 10/8)

Syrian FM al-Shara` says Gulf states partial lifting of Israeli boycott "was not timely and does not serve the Arab negotiators' interests." (WT 10/2; SARR 10/2 in FBIS 10/3; MM 10/3)

IDF closes primary school in West Bank indefinitely, saying children threw stones at passing IDF vehicle; causes embarrassment for PNA which technically controls West Bank education. (MEI 10/7)

Curfew on Hebron is lifted. (MEI 10/7)