The Palestine Chronology

Syrian pres. Asad's son and heir apparent, Bashar al-Asad, says that pessimism following the 3/26 Geneva mtg. is unrealistic. that a Syrian-Israeli peace agmt. is still possible. (MM 4/17; NYT 4/18)

Israel's Amb. to the UN Yehuda Lancry delivers a letter fr. FM Levy to Secy.-Gen. Annan formally reaffirming Israel's intention to withdraw fr. s. Lebanon. (MM, NYT, WT 4/18; CSM 4/19; XIN 4/20 in WNC 4/21) (see Doc. C2)

The Israeli High Court dismisses the appeal submitted by Arad's family, orders the release of 13 Lebanese detainees by 4/19. (MM 4/17; NYT 4/18) (see 4/16)

Palestinians in the occupied territories mark Prisoners Day. In Bethlehem, IDF troops fire rubber-coated bullets at demonstrators. (WT 4/18)

Barak for the 1st time says that Israel would not annex Palestinian villages nr. Jerusalem but would seek to annex most Jewish settlements in a final agmt.; says Israel might make a "down payment" on future land transfers, possibly handing over Palestinian villages nr. Jerusalem. (MM 4/10; Hatzofe 4/12 in WNC 4/13; AYM 4/12 in WNC 4/14; MM, NYT, WT 4/17; WJW 4/20; WP 5/4)

Another 4 senior Israeli officials confirm that under the right conditions, Israel would formally recognize a Palestinian state. The 5 officials who have made statements since 4/15 are Internal Security M Ben Ami, Regional Cooperation M Shimon Peres, M without portfolio Haim Ramon, Education M Sarid, Dep. DM Ephraim Sneh. (WP 4/17)

Israeli FM Levy arrives in Paris to meet with French officials. (Le Monde 5/6 in WNC 5/10)

Israel postpones the release of 13 Lebanese detainees after the family of IDF airman Arad files an appeal of the High Court's 4/12 ruling. (NYT, WT 4/17)

After a 6-wk. investigation, Israeli police recommend that Transportation M Mordechai be indicted on charges of having sexually assaulted 3 women over 8 yrs. Police say that the statue of limitations has expired on "several" other incidents. (NYT, WP, WT 4/17; JP 4/14; WJW 4/20) (see 3/7)