The Palestine Chronology

Following phone conversation with Secy. of State Albright 1/25 regarding her talks with Arafat, PM Netanyahu tells coalition mbrs. that he now supports U.S. proposal for staged FRD based on the principle of reciprocity, says that Israel cannot "rule out the possibility of an interim terrace." (ITV 1/26 in WNC 1/27; MM 1/27; IDF Radio 1/27 in WNC 1/30)

After mtg. with UK PM Tony Blair in London, Arafat calls for an Arab summit to discuss the peace process. (MM, WT 1/27; RE, RMC, YA 1/27 in WNC 1/30)

Israeli DM Mordechai meets with Jordan's King Hussein in Amman to brief the king on Netanyahu's trip to Washington, discuss the need to continue the peace process, strengthen security cooperation. (JTV 1/26 in WNC 1/27; IGPO, MM 1/27)

EU FMs mtg. is held in Brussels. Participants agree to become more involved in resolving the Arab-Israeli conflict, Middle Eastern politics. (MM 1/27)

PA Labor M Samir Ghawshah resigns to protests Arafat's failure to ratify civil service law, take steps against corruption. (JP 2/7)

Israel arrests 2 Israeli-Arab bedouin for planning a suicide attack. Israeli Internal Security M Avigdor Kahalani praises PA for its cooperation, but PM Netanyahu objects that PA assistance came "at the end of the road, not the beginning." (MM 1/27; MA 1/28 in WNC 2/2; WT 2/7)

Jordan's Supreme Court suspends controversial press law, saying parliament should have been given time to debate the draft law before it was put into effect by the government, allowing to reopen 13 papers that had been forced to close. Parliament will begin debate on the measure when it reconvenes in 2/98. (RJ 1/26 in WNC 1/27; JT 1/27 in WNC 1/30; JT 2/5 in WNC 2/6) (see 5/17/97, 9/27/97)

Jordan's King Hussein makes brief visit to Cairo to discuss latest developments in the peace process with Pres. Mubarak. (ESC Television [Cairo], MENA, RJ 1/25, RE 1/26 in WNC 1/27; JT 1/28 in WNC 2/2)

In Tel Aviv, Israel, Jordan open 2-day mtg. to revise air transport accord. (JT 1/28 in WNC 1/27)

Arafat arrives in Washington, meets with Secy. of State Albright, calls on U.S. to pressure Israel to fulfill withdrawal agmts. as outlined in Oslo accords. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/22)

American Jewish leaders (fr. such groups as American Jewish Congress, Anti-Defamation League) criticize Netanyahu for courting Christian Right. Netanyahu gives interview to Pat Robertson's Christian Broadcasting Network. (WP 1/22; MM 1/26) (see 1/19)

In Mecca, Jordan's King Hussein, Saudi Arabia's King Fahd discuss joint efforts to support the peace process. King Hussein is in Saudi Arabia to perform the lesser pilgrimage (al-`Umra). (RJ 1/21 in WNC 1/23; `Ukaz [Jiddah] 1/22 in WNC 1/27)

Dir. Gen. of the Israeli Cabinet Ariel Shomir travels to Cairo to deliver a letter fr. Pres. Weizman to Egypt's Pres. Mubarak. (MENA 1/21 in WNC 1/23)

World Bank secures financing for first export-oriented industrial estate at al-Muntar, Gaza. (World Bank press release 1/21)

IDF begins bulldozing Palestinian land nr. Neve Dalim settlement in Gaza as 1st step to expanding the settlement. (PCHR 1/24)

Jordan receives last installment of U.S. military equipment under the $1-m. 1996 draw-down agmt. (JTV 1/21 in WNC 1/23; al-Ra'i 1/26 in WNC 1/27)

Arafat briefs EU special envoy Moratinos on the status of the peace process, urges EU to put more pressure on Israel. (PR 1/16)

French FM Vedrine arrives in Jordan, meets with King Hussein, then heads to Damascus. (RFI, RJ 1/12 in WNC 1/13; JT, RFI 1/12 in WNC 1/14)

Shin Bet extends for 3 mos. permission for interrogators to use "moderate physical pressure" (including shaking, sleep deprivation, noise exposure hooding) when questioning Hamas suspects. (PCHR 1/15)

In Nablus, Israeli, PA security teams raid alleged Hamas bomb factory, seize 300 kg. of explosives. (MM 1/13; WP, WT 1/14; PR 1/23)

Israel-Lebanon Monitoring Group (ILMG) holds 1st mtg. of the year to discuss 3 Lebanese, 3 Israeli complaints; urges greater caution to protect civilians. ILMG held 25 mtgs. in 1997. During 1997 40 Lebanese were killed, 120 Lebanese and 1 Israeli were wounded in violations of the 4/96 understanding. (VOL 1/12 in WNC 1/13; RL 1/13 in WNC 1/14)

U.S. special envoy Ross meets with PM Netanyahu. (ITV 1/7 in WNC 1/11; WP 1/8; ITV 1/8 in WNC 1/11; RE 1/9 in WNC 1/12; JP 1/17)

In Amman, King Hussein meets with Labor Chmn. Barak. No details of mtg. are released. (JT 1/10 in WNC 1/13) (see 1/4)

Israel approves construction of 574 new housing units in Efrat settlement, 94 units in Elkana settlement, both in the West Bank. (ITV 1/7 in WNC 1/10; MM, WP 1/8; ITV 1/8 in WNC 1/11; WP 1/9; al-Dustur 1/9 in WNC 1/12; MEI, PR 1/16)

Israel, Turkey, U.S. begin naval maneuvers in the Mediterranean, which will last until 1/9. Jordan is the only country to accept Turkey's invitation to send an observer. (RJ, SANA 1/7 in WNC 1/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/8; MA, YA 1/8 in WNC 1/11; MENA 1/9 in WNC 1/12; MEI 1/16) (see 1/5)

Iranian pres. Khatami uses CNN interview to address the U.S. people, urging them to break down the "wall of mistrust between us." He calls for cultural exchange with the U.S., expresses regret for 1979 hostage-taking but criticizes U.S. policies, says there is no need for political ties. State Dept. responds by proposing direct talks. Khatami also calls Israel a "racist terrorist state," denounces terrorism (which harms innocents) but expresses support for "peoples who fight for the liberation of their land." (MM, NYT, WP 1/8; MM 1/9; MEI 1/16)