The Palestine Chronology

PM Peres tells cabinet that some understandings have been reached with Syria. However, FM Barak says talks thus far have not been substantive, Hizballah attacks 12/30 raise doubts as to Syria's intent. (QY 12/31, HA 1/1 in FBIS 1/2; WT 1/1)

In Amman, Imad Ghanim, aid to union head Shubailat (arrested 12/9), is detained on charges of slandering the king and queen. (JT 1/1 in FBIS 1/2) (see 12/19)

10,000 Palestinians greet Arafat as arrives for his 1st visit to Ramallah since the IDF pulled out. Arafat then heads to Tulkarm, Qalqilya to celebrate the IDF's withdrawal there. (NYT, WP, WT 12/31; JP 1/6)

Hamas mbrs. Isma'il Haniyya, Khalid al-Hindi, Sa'id al-Namruti say the will run for seats on the Palestinian Council as independents. (JMCC 12/30 in FBIS 1/2)

In Madrid, PA, Spain sign joint cooperation agmt. (PWR 1/9)

PSF releases al-Quds editor `Alami (arrested 12/27). (QY 12/31 in FBIS 1/2; NYT, WP 1/1; FT 1/3; CSM, WJW 1/4; JP 1/6)

After a Lebanese civilian is killed, 4 others wounded by IDF shelling, Hizballah fires rockets into n. Israel, wounds 2 IDF soldiers in clash in s. Lebanon. Israel blames Syria. (ITV, QY 12/30, QY 12/31, ITV 1/1 in FBIS 1/2; NYT, WT 12/31; MM 1/2; JP 1/6)

Arafat issues presidential decree delaying start of campaign period to 1/7. CEC calls on candidates to follow original campaign schedule. Nomination period is extended through 12/31 because of additional seats. Voter registration is reopened until 1/5. (JMCC, VOP 12/30 in FBIS 1/2; CSM 1/19)

1st round of Syrian-Israeli talks ends. Delegations decide to stay in Washington for further informal discussions until negotiations resume 1/3. (ITV, SATN 12/29, RMC 12/30, RMC, SARR 12/31 in FBIS 1/2; NYT, WP 12/30)

After rumors that Israel proposed an interim agmt. with Syria that would recognize the Syrian presence in Lebanon spark Lebanese-American fears of a shift in U.S. policy, Pres. Clinton issues statement reaffirming the U.S. commitment to "Lebanon's full independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity." (MM 12/14; WJW 1/18)

ADL, American Jewish Comm. (AJC) ask the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations (CPMAJO) to revoke memberships of the Zionist Organization of America, National Council of Young Israel for taking out ads criticizing the 12/10 rally at Madison Square Garden in memory of Rabin. ADL, AJC, CPMAJO cosponsored the event. (WJW 12/28)

PA assumes control of Ramallah, al-Bireh. (WT 12/27; QY, VOP 12/27 in FBIS 12/28; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/28; NYT 12/31; JP 1/6)

After a 6-mo. hiatus, 3 days of initial talks btwn. Syria, Israel open in Maryland. Israeli team is headed by FM Dir. Gen. Uri Savir, incl. Amb. to the U.S. Itamar Rabinovich, head of IDF planning branch Maj. Gen. Uzi Dayan. Syrian team is led by Amb. to the U.S. Walid Mu`allim, FMin. Political Dept. head Juwayjati. (CSM, WP, WT 12/27; HA, MA, QY, SARR, VOL, YA 12/28 in FBIS 12/28; NYT, WJW, WT 12/28)

Israeli cabinet criticizes PM Peres for increasing the number of seats on the Palestinian Council without its approval. (IDF Radio 12/27 in FBIS 12/28) (see 12/25)

PM Peres's coalition government defeats 2 no-confidence motions against returning the Golan Heights to Syria. (CSM 12/28)

Preventive Security Force (PSF) arrests editor Maher al-`Alami after he ignores Arafat's request to run an article on Arafat's mtg. with the Greek Orthodox patriarch of Jerusalem on the front page of al-Quds. (NYT, WT 12/28; WT 1/1; MM 1/2; FT 1/3; MM, WJW 1/4)

Israeli Aircraft Industries (IAI) says Arrow missile project has overrun its budget by millions of dollars because of problems in the early stages of development. IAI may ask project cofunders, the U.S. and Israeli DMin., to cover the unanticipated costs. (HA 12/27 in FBIS 12/27)

IDF completes withdrawal fr. 60 West Bank villages nr. Hebron, Ramallah, completing its pullout fr. more than 400 West Bank villages as stipulated in Oslo II. (CSM, WT 12/27; NYT, WT 12/28)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, King Hussein meet in Aqaba. (JTV, MENA, RJ 12/26 in FBIS 12/27)

Fmr. PM Yitzhak Shamir announces he is retiring, will not run for reelection in 10/96. (CSM, WT 12/27)

By agmt. with Peres, Arafat adds 5 seats to the Palestinian Council, increasing total number fr. 83 to 88, not incl. the extra seat for the pres. (HA 12/26, QY 12/27 in FBIS 12/27; JP 1/6) (see 12/15)

Jordan signs agmt. to buy 3.1 m. tons of oil fr. Iraq to cover its 1996 fuel needs. (AFP 12/15 in FBIS 12/27)

CEC calls on PA officials running for the Palestinian Council to resign their posts. (VOP 12/24 in FBIS 12/26)

Fatah warns that any Fatah mbr. who runs in opposition to the Fatah list will be removed fr. the organization. (al-Nahar 12/24 in FBIS 12/27; NYT 1/6; WP 1/16)

NISP announces that, based on 12/18-21 Cairo talks, it will not field candidates in the 1/20 elections. (al-Nahar 12/24 in FBIS 12/27)

DFLP, PFLP call for direct elections based on proportional representation, 1 district. (al-Quds 12/24 in FBIS 12/27)

At Qarni crossing point in Gaza, IDF soldier is wounded by gunman firing fr. within the self-rule area. (QY 12/24 in FBIS 12/26)

Arafat issues presidential decree, calling for the establishment of an election appeals court composed of judges Zuhayr al-Surani, `Abdallah Ghazlan, Imad Salim, Sami Saba, Shukri al-Nashashibi; extends nomination period, set to close today, to 12/29. (al-Nahar 12/24 in FBIS 12/27)

Arafat arrives in Bethlehem to open the city's first Christmas celebrations under Palestinian rule. (NYT, WP, WT 12/23; CSM, WT 12/25 12/26)

Lebanese Pres. Hariri says Lebanon would be willing to negotiate a separate peace deal with Israel but would only sign it when an overall agmt. with Syria had been reached. (AFP 12/23 in FBIS 12/26)

In Cairo, Egyptian Pres. Mubarak meets separately with Syrian Pres. Asad, Israeli FM Barak in preparation for the opening of Syrian-Israeli negotiations 12/27. After the mtg., in his 1st public statement on resuming talks with Israel, Pres. Asad says Syrian negotiators will go into the talks with no preconditions. (WT 12/24; RE 12/23, ITV 12/24, 12/25 in FBIS 12/26; JP 12/30)

PA temporary election commission extends deadline for accepting nomination applications for president, Palestinian Council to midnight 12/23. (VOP 12/23 in FBIS 12/26)

Arafat issues presidential decree forming the Central Election Commission (CEC) to replace the temporary election commission. Groups such as the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights immediately criticize the high percentage of Fatah mbrs. on the CEC, which is supposed to be entirely independent, with mbrs. chosen fr. among judges, academics, lawyers. (VOP 12/22 in FBIS 12/22)

PM Peres says Israel would be prepared to close its nuclear program if there was a regional peace in the Middle East, but does not admit Dimona is a nuclear facility. (NYT 12/23; ITV, QY 12/22, ITV 12/23, ITV, QY 12/24 in FBIS 12/26; QY 12/26 in FBIS 12/27; JP 12/30)

IDF kills 2 Hizballah mbrs. in clash in s. Lebanon. 2 SLA soldiers are killed in separate incident. (QY, VOL 12/22, RL 12/23 in FBIS 12/26)

IDF completes withdrawal fr. Bethlehem. (MM 12/21; QY, VOP 12/21 in FBIS 12/22; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/22; JP 12/30)

At PISMC mtg. in Jerusalem, PA demands Israel withdraw immediately fr. Abu-Dis, Sawahirah villages nr. Jerusalem, both part of Bethlehem municipality under Oslo II. Israel says there was a mistake on the Oslo II maps, incorrectly placing the 2 villages in the withdrawal zone; it expects the PA to agree to the corrected maps that exclude them fr. the municipality. (QY 12/22 in FBIS 12/22)

Samiha Khalil, fmr. gen. secy. of the General Union of Palestinian Women and head of a respected West Bank charity, announces she will run against Arafat for the presidency as an independent in 1/20 elections. A PNC mbr., she says she will vote against amending the PLO covenant. (WT 12/28; CSM 1/4; WP 1/19)

PA, Hamas closed 4 days of their 1st formal, high-level reconciliation talks in Cairo, agree talks were positive but fail to reach accord. Hamas refuses to sign pledge to participate in Palestinian elections, cease attacks on Israeli targets, but agrees not to call for election boycott. (MM 12/18; MENA, VOP 12/18, MENA 12/19 in FBIS 12/19; CSM, WT 12/19; MENA, VOP 12/19 in FBIS 12/20; MM 12/20; MBC, RE, VOP 12/20, MENA, VOP 12/21 in FBIS 12/21; MENA, RMC, VOP 12/21, RE, SA 12/22 in FBIS 12/22; CSM, NYT 12/22; al-Quds 12/22 in FBIS 12/26; JP 12/30) (see 11/18)

Likud MK and fmr. DM Ariel Sharon announces that he will not run for PM, endorses party chmn. Benjamin Netanyahu. (QY 12/21, JP 12/22 in FBIS 12/22; JP 12/30)

Ahmad Tibi, Arafat adviser and head of the Israeli Islamic Movement, says his movement has created a party, the Arab Movement for Change, to participate in the 10/96 Knesset elections. (ITV 12/21 in FBIS 12/22) (see 9/10)

In s. Lebanon, IDF clashes with Amal, killing 3 Amal mbrs. (WT 12/26)

Arafat meets with Qatari officials in Doha. (MM 12/20)

Israel bars entry to 7 U.S. Jews, incl. Rabbi Abraham Hecht of New York, calling them security risks in light of the Rabin assassination. (QY 12/20 in FBIS 12/20; NYT, WT 12/21; JP 12/30; WJW 1/18)

Syrian parliament ratifies general amnesty agmt. (SARR 12/20 in FBIS 12/20) (see 11/16, 12/13)

IDF kills 3 Amal mbrs., wounds 2 in clash in s. Lebanon. (QY, RL 12/21 in FBIS 12/21)

Jordan's Press and Publications Dept. cautions newspapers that it is illegal to publish proceedings of the Shubailat case (see 12/9). Press law states papers may only write on proceedings of a case once the court has issued a verdict, given permission for the article. (JT 12/19 in FBIS 12/19) (see 12/18)

UN comm. in charge of distributing reparations to Israelis who were injured by Iraqi missiles during the Gulf War transfers $307,500 in damages to 93 persons who submitted claims of serious physical, emotional suffering. 430 claims have yet to be assessed. (IL 12/20)

Rand Institute, working on behalf of the U.S. Defense Dept., estimates Israel could build 70 nuclear weapons with its estimated 770 lbs. of weapons-grade plutonium produced by Dimona since 1964; estimates Dimona is producing 35 lb./yr. of plutonium (or 3 bombs/yr.). (HA 12/19 in FBIS 12/21; WT 2/7)

SLA soldier is wounded by roadside bomb in s. Lebanon. (IDF Radio 12/20 in FBIS 12/20) 

PM Peres presents Knesset with 10-point plan to govern talks with Syria. (QY 12/18 in FBIS 12/18; MM 12/19; RL, SATN 12/19 in FBIS 12/20; WJW 12/21; WT 12/26)

Jordanian prosecutor general orders detention of al-Majd Editor-in-Chief Fahd al-Rimawi for "disturbing the kingdom's relations with a foreign country" for publishing an article critical of Bahrain's government. If convicted, he could get 5 yrs. in jail. (al-Majd 12/18 in FBIS 12/18) (see 12/17)

IDF soldier is wounded in Hizballah attack in s. Lebanon. (QY, VOL 12/18 in FBIS 12/19)

Arafat submits to the PA temporary election commission his application of nomination to run in 1/20 presidential elections, with a check fr. the PA Interior Min. for $3,000 and a certificate issued by Fatah, making him the 1st to officially enter the race. (VOP 12/17 in FBIS 12/18)

As scheduled, PA assumes control over Qalqilya. (NYT 12/17; VOP 12/16, 12/17 in FBIS 12/18; JP 12/23)

In Nablus, PA police round up, arrest 30 Fatah Hawks mbrs.; capture Fatah Hawk leaders Ahmad Tabuk, Amin Maqboul, 4 aides after brief shoot out. (CSM, WT 12/18; NYT, WJW 12/21; JP 12/30; MEI 1/5) (see 11/29)

Jordanian prosecutor general orders detention of Jihad al-Mawmani, chief editor of the weekly Shihan, for publishing article on narcotics, legal violations by beauty salons without 1st reporting the crimes to the authorities. Amman court orders release of Sawt al-Mar'ah editor arrested 12/13. (al-Dustur 12/18 in FBIS 12/19) (see 12/13)

Jordan signs 3-yr. (1996-98) economic adjustment program with the IMF meant to stimulate continued liberalization of the economy; signs debt rescheduling agmt. with Japan, World Bank, spreading the $115 m. owed over 10 yrs. (instead of 3), giving Jordan a $80-m. Japanese soft loan; approves regulations encouraging capital investment by foreigners. (JT, RJ 12/17 in FBIS 12/19; JT 1/1 in FBIS 1/3)

In Jericho, Secy. of State Christopher announces that Syria, Israel will resume negotiations in Washington 12/27. (ITV, QY, SATN, VOP 12/16, ITV 12/17 in FBIS 12/18; NYT, WP, WT 12/17; MM 12/18; JP 12/23)

In Gaza, 30,000 attend rally to celebrate Hamas's 8th anniversary. (WT 12/17; PR 12/29)

Arafat issues presidential decree concerning the distribution of legislative council seats. One new seat is added to Nablus, allocated to the Samaritans, bringing total number of seats to 83. (PR 12/15; VOP 12/15 in FBIS 12/18; MM 1/2)

Arafat makes his 1st visit to Nablus since IDF troops withdrew 12/11. IDF prevents 500-mbr. Jordanian delegation fr. entering territories to attend festivities. (MM 12/15; JTV, VOP 12/15, JT, VOP 12/16 in FBIS 12/18; NYT, WT 12/16)

Due to delays in constructing bypass roads, IDF postpones completion of Bethlehem redeployment until 12/21. (VOP 12/15 in FBIS 12/18)

Secy. of State Christopher meets with Pres. Asad in Damascus; then meets with King Hussein in Aqaba, Arafat in Jericho, PM Peres in Jerusalem. (MM 12/15; SARR 12/15 in FBIS 12/15; NYT, WT 12/16; SARR 12/15, RJ 12/16 in FBIS 12/18)

Lebanon, UN sign agmt. regulating the status of UNIFIL with the Lebanese government. UNIFIL has been operating without such an agmt. since it was established more than 17 yrs. ago. (RL 12/16 in FBIS 12/18)

10's of Israeli rabbis issue rabbinical ruling forbidding transfer of parts of "Greater Israel." Justice M Liba'i criticizes rabbis for issuing decrees on political, not religious, matters. (MM 12/15)

PA temporary election commission begins accepting nominations for president, legislative council. (VOP 12/13, AFP 12/14 in FBIS 12/14; VOP 12/14 in FBIS 12/15; MM 12/15)

In Damascus, U.S. Secy. of State Christopher meets with Pres. Asad. (MM, NYT, WT 12/15; SARR 12/15, 12/17 in FBIS 12/18)

Syria reports it has warned Syrian-based Iraqi opposition leaders against collaborating with Israel after detecting "stepped-up Israeli intelligence activity" in the Kurdish enclave n. of Iraq, receiving information that Israel has set up fixed intelligence-gathering outposts at border crossings with Turkey. (MM 12/14)

In Hebron, Palestinian stabs, wounds 2 Jewish settlers; is shot dead by Israeli border police. IDF places curfew on the city. (MM 12/14)

On his return fr. the U.S., PM Peres stops in Morocco to visit King Hassan. (QY 12/13, HA 12/14 in FBIS 12/14; MM 12/14, 12/15)

8 Hamas mbrs. (incl. Abu Musamih, `Abd al-Khaliq al-Natshe, Muhammad Abu Shama'a, Zahhar) travel fr. Gaza to Khartoum for 4 days of talks with diaspora Hamas leaders in advance of negotiations with the PA in Cairo 12/18-21. (MM, WT 12/13; IRNA [Tehran], VOP 12/13 in FBIS 12/14; MENA 12/16 in FBIS 12/18)

Syria releases 100's of Muslim Brothers, communists fr. jail, leaving only a handful of Muslim Brothers still in detention. (MM 12/15; RMC 12/17 in FBIS 12/18) (see 12/11)

Jordanian prosecutor general orders detention of Sawt al-Mar'ah chief editor for "slandering Iraqi president Saddam Hussein." (al-Dustur 12/18 in FBIS 12/19)

Saudi Arabia's Prince Khalid Bin Sultan calls for and end to sanctions on Iraq. (NYT 12/14)

IDF turns over control of Nablus to the PA. (NYT 12/12; VOP 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; NYT, WP, WT 12/13; MM 12/14; PR 12/15; JP 12/23)

PM Peres addresses a joint session of Congress. 300 American Jewish leaders are then briefed in Senate offices by Peres, U.S. special envoy Ross, U.S. Amb. to Israel Martin Indyk, and others. (WT 12/12; ITV 12/12 in FBIS 12/23; NYT, WP, WT 12/13; WJW 12/14)

Hamas expels Imad al-Faluji fr. all its bodies for failing to follow instructions after he declares he will run as an independent in the 1/20 elections, accepts position on panel to discuss draft election law with the PA (see 11/30), making statements in Hamas's name without approval; says his paper al-Watan will no longer serve as Hamas's mouthpiece. (AFP 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; MM 12/13) (see 12/11)

PA releases Hamas official, and editor of al-Watan Sayyid Abu Musamih. (MM 12/13; VOP 12/13 in FBIS 12/13) (see 5/14, 12/11)

IDF declares Nablus area a closed military zone, begins final redeployment 6 days ahead of schedule. IDF arrests 13 yeshiva students who refuse to leave Joseph's tomb, inside the closed zone; 40 others settlers who arrive at the tomb to confront the IDF are detained. After withdraw, Jewish settlers who attend yeshiva in the city will continue to receive IDF protection. (IL, NYT, WP 12/12; QY 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; CSM 12/13; MEI 12/15)

Pres. Clinton holds positive telephone conversation with Pres. Asad, then meets with PM Peres. Peres asks for assurances that money fr. its $3 b. 1996 aid package will be received by 1/1/96 even if the foreign aid bill has not been passed (aid for FY 1996 was to begin 10/95); gives Clinton a letter, asking for Pollard's release (see 11/21). (ITV, QY, SARR 12/11, QY 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/12; MM 12/13; MA, SARR 12/13 in FBIS 12/13; WJW 12/14; MM 12/15; HA 12/15 in FBIS 12/15; CSM 1/4; WJW 1/18)

Israel Amb. to the U.S. and chief negotiator with Syria Rabinovitch says Israel is ready to make unspecified "significant concessions" to Syria. (WT 12/12)

In Paris, PA, France sign $15-m. cooperation agmt. (VOP 12/11, 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; PR 12/29)

PA announces creation of National Dialogue Office (NDO) to be headed by fmr. Hamas mbr. Faluji. At the same time, Faluji announces the indefinite closure of al-Watan. NDO will promote dialogue btwn. the PA, other political, social forces amid recognition of the "changed reality" following fr. the Oslo process. (HA 12/12 in FBIS 12/14)

In Gaza, Arafat, Hamas delegation meet to discuss of Hamas-PA talks on elections scheduled for 12/18-21 in Cairo. (VOP 12/12 in FBIS 12/12)

In Gaza, Arafat discusses joint ventures opportunities with Poland's Construction M Barbara Blida, delegation of Polish businessmen. (VOP 12/11 in FBIS 12/12)

Syria grants special amnesty to fmr. secy. gen. of Syria's Muslim Brotherhood `Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah, allowing him to return to Damascus after 16-yrs. exile. (RMC 12/11 in FBIS 12/11; MM 12/14) (see 11/30)

IDF completes withdrawal fr. Tulkarm. (CSM, WP 12/10; VOP 12/10 in FBIS 12/11; WT 12/11; QY 12/10 in FBIS 12/12; WJW 12/14; MEI 12/15; JP 12/23)

PM Peres begins visit to the U.S. to lay groundwork for resumption of talks with Syria, addresses memorial service for Rabin at Madison Square Garden, New York City, attended by 14,000, incl. 40 mbrs. of Congress, Rabin's widow, VP Al Gore. (NYT, WP, WT 12/10; QY, YA 12/10 in FBIS 12/11; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/11; WJW 12/14; MEI 12/15)

Israeli Amb. to the U.S. Rabinovitch says Syria has dropped preconditions to talks regarding early-warning stations on the Golan. (QY 12/10 in FBIS 12/11)

After strongly criticizing King Hussein during a press conference, Laith Shubailat, head of Jordan's engineers' union and leading opponent of normalization with Israel, is arrested on charges of inciting sedition that could get him up to 5 yrs. in jail. (NYT, WT 12/10; AFP, MENA, RMC 12/9, JT, al-Ra'i 12/10 in FBIS 12/11; MM 12/11; JT 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; JP 12/16; al-Safir 12/30 in FBIS 1/4)

In s. Lebanon, despite being warned that UN personnel are operating in the area, IDF tanks mistakenly open fire on UN patrol, injuring 3 UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) soldiers. (QY 12/10 in FBIS 12/11; NYT, WP 12/11)

PM Peres meets with Arafat, agrees to issue 9,500 more work permits to Palestinians fr. Gaza. (QY, VOP 12/8 in FBIS 12/11; NYT 12/10; MM 12/11; MEI, PR 12/15)

Arafat grants NISP permission to publish a party newspaper. (MM 12/13)

In Nablus, IDF soldier shoots, kills Palestinian during clash. (QY 12/8 in FBIS 12/11; MM, WT 12/11)

PA election law goes into effect. (FBIS special supplement 12/19)

In Gaza, Arafat meets with U.S. special envoy Ross. (MM 12/7; VOP 12/7 in FBIS 12/8)

PM Peres meets with Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak in Cairo; promises to launch investigation into reports that IDF soldiers killed Egyptian POWs during the 1956, 1967 wars (see 9/5). Pair agrees to put off further discussion of NPT until after an agmt. btwn. Syria, Israel is reached. (MM 12/7; QY 12/7 in FBIS 12/8; NYT 12/10; MEI 12/15; JP 12/16)

PA arrests Iyad Sarraj, head of the Independent Palestinian Commission for Citizens' Rights, after he publicly declares the PA has "a poor record on human rights"; demands he sign statement promising not to criticize the PA again; releases him though he refuses to sign. (HA 12/9 in FBIS 12/11; MEI, MM 12/15; JP 12/16; MM 1/4)

At the close of one of Egypt's most violent elections, Pres. Mubarak's National Democratic Party wins 317 of 444 seats. (NYT 12/8)

IDF releases revised timetable for withdrawal, showing some earlier departure dates: Tulkarm by 12/10, Nablus by 12/14, Qalqilya by 12/17, Bethlehem by 12/18. (MM 12/6)

In Amman, PM Peres, King Hussein conclude aviation agmt. (MM 12/6; RJ 12/6 in FBIS 12/6; QY, RJ 12/6, QY 12/7 in FBIS 12/7; CSM 12/7; MEI 12/15)

PA representative Ziyad Abu Zayyad says that Israel, PA have been holding informal talks on Jerusalem for over a yr. Israeli government does not confirm or deny the claim. (JP 12/7 in FBIS 12/8; JP 12/16; JP 2/3)

In Jerusalem, PISMC meets with U.S. special envoy Ross. (MM 12/6; VOP 12/6 in FBIS 12/7)

In Gaza, Arafat meets with Hamas delegation to discuss elections. (VOP 12/7 in FBIS 12/7)

Jordan's King Hussein offers to host mtg. of Iraqi opposition leaders to discuss governing Iraq after Saddam Hussein. (NYT 12/7) (see 11/22)

Amal cadres attack IDF patrol in s. Lebanon, killing 1 soldier, wounding 6. Roadside bomb later wounds 3 SLA soldiers. IDF shells Amal positions in response, killing 1. (MM 12/6; VOL, QY 12/6 in FBIS 12/6; QY 12/6 in FBIS 12/7; CSM, MM 12/7; JP 12/16)

U.S. special envoy Ross meets with Pres. Asad in Damascus, PM Peres in Israel. (MM 12/5; RMC, SARR 12/5 in FBIS 12/5; ITV, QY, SARR 12/5 in FBIS 12/6; CSM, MM, WT 12/6)

After several days of mtgs., PFLP Central Comm. decided to boycott 1/20 elections, with the view that the elections are being held with the specific purpose of legitimizing Arafat, Oslo process. (al-Hayat 12/7 in FBIS 12/8)

PM Peres, Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Amnon Shahak, DMin. Dir. Gen. David Ivri, Amb. to Washington Itamar Rabinovitch, senior DMin. officials begin initial discussion on whether Israel should ask the U.S. for a special defense pact in return for making peace with Syria; if so, what it should include. (HA, JP, YA 12/6, HA, QY 12/7 in FBIS 12/7)

Israeli Civil Administration begins confiscating weapons of West Bank Palestinian collaborators, fearing arms will be turned over to the PA after IDF withdraws. (QY 12/5 in FBIS 12/5; PR 12/15)

With the end of the 30-day mourning period for Rabin, Israeli prosecutors officially charge Yigal Amir with premeditated murder, aggravated assault; Hagai Amir, Dror Adani with conspiracy to kill Rabin and attack Arabs, weapons violations. Canadian businessman Sam Spodak will fund the defense for both Amir brothers. (QY 12/5 in FBIS 12/6; WP, WT 12/6; QY 12/9 in FBIS 12/11)

Israeli Central Command restricts the movement of 4 right-wing Jewish activists, giving 1 3-mo. administrative detention, barring 2 fr. entering the West Bank. (QY 12/5 in FBIS 12/5)

U.S. special envoy Dennis Ross begins Middle East tour, meets briefly with Israeli FM Barak, chief negotiator Uri Savir in Israel. (MM 12/4; QY 12/4, MA 12/5 in FBIS 12/5, CSM, WT 12/5)

IDF reports it generally has been pleased with the redeployment process, PA security as self-rule expands; will try to speed up rate of redeployment when possible. (HA 12/3 in FBIS 12/4)

After mtg. with Justice M David Liba'i, PM Peres agrees to cancel his 12/2 decision, form inner cabinet (incl. himself, Liba'i, M without portfolio Amital, M in the PM's office Beilin, Interior M Hayim Ramon, Education M Amnon Rubenstein, Internal Security M Shahal, Religious Affairs M Shimon Shetrit, Immigrant Absorption M Ya'ir Tzaban). (QY 12/3 in FBIS 12/4)

3-wk. EU voter registration campaign ends. (AFP 12/6 in FBIS 12/8) (see 11/12)

PA cabinet approves draft election law, send it to the Judicial Min. for final revisions. (VOP 12/2, 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; WT 12/6)

To prevent leaks to the press, PM Peres decides not to form the ministerial comm. on national security affairs (the "inner cabinet") that approves special political-security decisions; instead, forms 3-minister team (Finance M Avraham Shohat, FM Barak, himself) to handle such duties. (QY 12/2 in FBIS 12/4)

In Gaza, Arafat briefs Labor party secy. Nisim Zvili on latest developments in the peace process. (VOP 12/2 in FBIS 12/5) (see 12/1)