The Palestine Chronology

Israeli FM Peres, Arafat meet on sidelines of European Union (EU) mtg. in Brussels to discuss elections, self-rule; urge donor countries to transfer aid. (QY 11/28, 11/29 in FBIS 11/29; MM, NYT 11/29; PR 12/4)

International Labor Organization signs agmt., providing PA with $500,000 for technical and scientific equipment, training classes, vocational workshops. (VOP 11/28 in FBIS 12/1)

PA bans 4 newspapers (al-Quds, al-Nahar, JP, al-Manar) because of their coverage of Islamist opposition. PA Culture M `Abid Rabbu says decision came fr. highest level of PA. (MM 11/28; QY 11/28 in FBIS 11/28; RJ 11/28, QY 11/29 in FBIS 11/29; WT 11/29; MM 11/30; NYT 12/1; PR 12/4; JP 12/10)

EU lifts 8-yr. arms embargo on Syria, grants PA $12 m. for new housing. Israeli FM Peres criticizes move, says it should only be done after Syrian signs agmt. with Israel. (MM 11/28; RJ QY 11/28 in FBIS 11/28; NYT, WT 11/29; SARR 11/29 in FBIS 11/29; IDF Radio 11/30 in FBIS 12/1; MM 12/6; JP 12/10; MEI 12/16)

Reports say that 300-400 Hamas supporters have been arrested by IDF in the West Bank since Tel Aviv bus bombing 10/19. Most have been questioned and released. (Ma`ariv 11/28 in FBIS 11/29; MM 11/30)

Lebanese Pres. Hrawi says Lebanon will not make peace with Israel until Israel withdraws unconditionally fr. the south, vows if solution to Palestinian refugee issues comes at Lebanon's expense, he "will ask the Palestinians to leave Lebanon." (RL 11/14 in FBIS 11/14; WT 11/16)

Secy. of State Christopher cancels trip to Middle East planned for end of Nov., cites U.S. elections. (MM 11/14)

Arafat phones King Hussein to discuss possible trip to Amman for talks on Palestinian-Jordanian relations. (RMC, VOP 11/14 in FBIS 11/15)

Israeli Housing Min. begins construction of 1,050 houses in Betar settlement south of Jerusalem. (RMC 11/14 in FBIS 11/15)

Arafat meets with Israeli Peace Now delegation in Gaza, discusses PNA economic problems. (QY 11/14 in FBIS 11/15)

Number of Islamic Jihad mbrs. arrested by Palestinian police rises to 180. 100's protest arrests. Rabin says Arafat is not doing enough. (MM 11/14; CSM, NYT, WT 11/15)

Arafat telephones King Hussein, briefs him on talks with PM Rabin 11/8, both agree to continue contacts on common issues. (MENA 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)

PNA Econ. M Qurai`, Israeli Finance M Shohat meet in Jerusalem to discuss implementation of economic agmt. signed in Paris 4/93. (QY, VOP 11/9 in FBIS 11/14)

Reports note frequent mtgs. btwn. Syrian, Israeli ambs. in Washington, with U.S. moderation. (ITV 11/9 in FBIS 11/10; MM 11/17)

Top Israeli police official admits Palestinians are setting up a police force in occupied West Bank to deal with traffic, intra-Palestinian disputes, says government will not oppose the units unless they interfere with Israeli police duties. (JP 11/9 in FBIS 11/9)

Morocco opens liaison office in Gaza. (AFP 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)

Knesset passes bill making anyone conducting unauthorized political activity in Jerusalem liable to 15 yrs. in jail. Bill targets PNA diplomatic activity at Orient House. (MM 11/10; WJW 11/17; JP 11/19)

Lebanese Judiciary reopens 1983 U.S. Marine barracks bombing case. Move seen as government attempt to show U.S. it is serious about security, nudge talks with Israel, gain leverage against Hizballah. (RL 11/9 in FBIS 11/9; MM 11/16)

Saudi FM Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal arrives in Damascus to deliver letter fr. King Fahd to Pres. al-Asad, confers with al-Asad regarding peace talks. (SARR 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)

IDF searching for wanted men clash with Palestinians in Tulkarm. Palestinians suffer 1 wounded, call general strike. (QY 11/9 in FBIS 11/10)

Reports say Israel wants U.S. to suspend shuttle missions btwn. Israel and Syria, U.S. Secy. of State Christopher to cancel trip to region planned for end of month, talks to stay on ambassadorial level since Pres. al-Asad will not soften position. (Al-Hamishmar 11/7 in FBIS 11/7)

PNA Econ. M Qurai`, Palestinian officials boycott Jerusalem business conference in protest over continued partial closure of Gaza, West Bank. (QY 11/7 in FBIS 11/8)

Syrian FM al-Shara` arrives in Cairo for talks with Pres. Mubarak on peace process, Clinton visit. (MENA 11/7 in FBIS 11/7; SARR 11/8 in FBIS 11/8)

Tomb of the Patriarchs, site of the Hebron massacre, reopens with metal detectors, electronic gates, cameras. Jews, Muslims completely segregated by partitions. (MM 11/7; QY 11/7 in FBIS 11/7; CSM, NYT, WP 11/8; JP 11/19)