The Palestine Chronology

Hanan Ashrawi informs U.S. consul in E. Jerusalem that Palestinians will attend 12/4 talks in Washington. Lebanon also accepts. (Qol Yisra'el 11/25 in FBIS 11/26; MM 11/25)

Israeli attorney general notifies Israeli supreme court that he believes Jewish settlers still occupying eight Arab homes in Silwan [see 10/9] should be evicted. (MM 11/26)

Israeli finance minister proposes compromise in U.S. loan guarantee controversy whereby U.S. would phase out economic aid to Israel by end of decade in return for the guarantees. Spokesman for PM Shamir states Shamir is unaware of proposal. (WP 11/26)

Rocket fired from Israeli-SLA position kills three Lebanese army troops, wounds two in Iqlim al-Tuffah region of S. Lebanon; Lebanese forces return fire. Israel later claims rocket was aimed at Hizballah positions and regrets deaths of Lebanese troops. (MM 11/26)

Israeli state attorney recommends that Israel take no action against Hanan Ashrawi for her alleged contacts with PLO officials, as had been recommended by Israeli police. Israeli attorney general must now decide Ashrawi's fate. (MM 11/19)

Jerusalem chief of police apologizes for 11/18 raid on Islamic court offices in E. Jerusalem (but does not return documents) as some 100 Palestinians, including members of the Islamic Higher Council, demonstrate against the raid in E. Jerusalem. Merchants in Hebron joined with those in the old city in strike to protest the raid. (MM 11/19)

E. Jerusalem, Hebron merchants strike ends. Nablus merchants strike 11/18 death of imam shot by IDF. (MM 11/19)

Labor party opens national convention in Jerusalem, struggles to develop a new election program to attract voters. (MM 11/19, 11/20)

European Commission announces EC will donate $61 million in aid to Palestinians in o.t. to help overcome economic effects of Gulf war. Grant is first expenditure from a $280- million assistance package established by EC in March 1991. (MM 11/19)

PM Shamir declares Israel will not release more Lebanese prisoners until it receives its missing servicemen. FM Levy calls on UN, Western countries to avoid "discrimination" during prisoner-hostage release negotiations, a reference to increased Israeli concern that such talks are focusing solely on Western hostages and ignoring Israeli demands for information on its servicemen missing in Lebanon. Israeli negotiator Uri Lubrani travels to New York for talks with UN Secy. Gen. Perez de Cuellar to push for progress on releasing airman Ron Arad, only Israeli hostage believed to be alive. Reversing earlier UN policy seeking a multilateral release, Perez de Cuellar states that he now accepts separating question of Western hostages from that of Israeli captives. (Qol Yisra'el 11/19 in FBIS 11/19; WP 11/21)

Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi states that as long as Israel refuses to implement UN Sec. Council Resolution 425, calling for Israeli withdrawal from S. Lebanon, he cannot stop attacks by anti-Israeli resistance forces. (MM 11/19)

Islamic Jihad releases British hostage Terry Waite and American hostage Thomas Sutherland in Beirut. Israel states it will not release any more Arab prisoners until it receives word about airman Ron Arad. (NYT 11/19)

Israeli police and border guards raid offices of Islamic court in E. Jerusalem, reportedly seizing hundreds of documents in search of "subversive" literature. Documents allegedly include court records documenting Palestinian land and property rights, some of which date from 12th century. (MM 11/19, 11/20)

Palestinian sources claim families of 350 Palestinians detained at Ansar-3 detention camp will be allowed to visit their relatives today, first time Israel has allowed such visits since Ansar-3 was established in March 1988. Visits will be coordinated by the Red Cross. (MM 11/18)

70-year-old Shaykh Radi Anis Bustami, imam of Jabal al-Shimali area mosque in Nablus, dies of wounds suffered 11/15 when Israeli troops fired on worshippers leaving the mosque. (MM 11/19)

Occupation authorities announce plan to encourage Palestinians inside o.t. and abroad to invest in development projects in o.t. The plan, which includes tax relief for new industries established and infrastructural development at government expense, will begin 1/1/92. (MM 11/19)

PLO exec. comm. mbrs. Mahmud Abbas, Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh, Sulayman al-Najab arrive in Amman for talks with Jordanian officials. Syrian delegates to peace talks also arrive to coordinate positions prior to second stage, bilateral negotiations. (Radio Monte Carlo, al-Ray, Radio Jordan 11/18 in FBIS 11/19)

Saudi Ambassador to U.S. Prince Bandar bin Sultan meets with some 60 American Jewish leaders in New York in first public meeting between American Jews and a Saudi official. Bandar states that if Israel freezes settlement building, Palestinians will halt intifada, Arab states will lift boycott of Israel. (MM 11/19)

Lebanese army deploys in village of Tayr Diba, S. Lebanon, to intervene inclashes between Amal, Hizballah fighters; first time in a decade Lebanese army has taken up positions within an area patrolled by UNIFIL troops. (MM 11/22)

At Madrid peace conference, PM Shamir delivers first opening address of the day. He is followed by Jordanian FM Kamil Abu Jaber, chief Palestinian delegate Haydar Abd al-Shafi, Lebanese FM Faris Bouez, and Syrian FM Faruq al-Sharaa (NYT 11/1)

After hearing Abd al-Shafi's speech on the radio, hundreds of Palestinians march through Ramallah waving olive branches and shaking hands with Israeli security forces, who did not break up the demonstration. Similar marches took place in E. Jerusalem, throughout occupied territories. (MEM 10/31, 11/1)

In another move toward PLO-Saudi reconciliation, Fateh Central Comm. Mbr. and top aide to Chmn. Arafat Nabil Sha'th, who was appointed as behind-the-scenes PLO coordinator of Palestinian delegates at Madrid, meets with Saudi representative to talks, Prince Sa'ud bin Faysal, along with Palestinian delegates and members of the steering committee. (MEM 11/1)

Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Salim al-Sabah reiterates Kuwaiti hostility toward PLO, however, describing PLO position during the Gulf war as "shameful" while affirming Kuwaiti support for Palestinian cause. (MEM 11/1)

Israeli, South Lebanon Army forces continue shelling Nabatiyya area, other regions of S. Lebanon. (MEM 11/1)

Prime Min. Shamir indicates he will head Israeli delegation to the peace conference, not FM David Levy. Invitations sent to the parties by the U.S., USSR had called for talks at the "ministerial level," a diplomatic phrase usually interpreted to mean participation by officials holding rank of foreign minister or below. (NYT 10/24)

Arab foreign ministers representing Syria, Egypt, Jordan, along with representative of Lebanon's foreign ministry and head of PLO political department meet in Damascus to discuss strategies for peace conference. They were later joined by foreign ministers of Saudi Arabia, representing the Gulf states, and Morocco, representing North African states (except Libya). (MEM 10/23)

Strike called for 10/22 by three groups in o.t. partially observed in E. Jerusalem, elsewhere in West Bank, but not in Nablus, Jenin. Residents of Gaza city observe strike, but not those in the refugee camps. (MEM 10/25)

Members of the Jewish Ateret Cohanim seminary move into a house in the Muslim quarter of E. Jerusalem. Group claims the house was owned by Jews driven out by Palestinian rioting in 1929. Settlers occupying a building in Silwan seized 10/9 from Palestinian residents petition Israeli high court of justice to allow them to remain. Group also seeks permission to move into four other buildings from which they had been evicted by police. (MEM 10/24)

European Community official announces EC, Israel have reached agreement over long-standing dispute over status, place of residence of EC official who will be sent to monitor EC economic aid to Palestinians in the o.t. EC had sough to post the official in the territories; Israel objected, seeking to place the representativen Tel Aviv instead. The EC has set aside $100 million in aid for Palestinians in the o.t. (MEM 10/24)

Human rights organization Middle East Watch issues report on condition of 18,000-20,000 stateless Palestinians in Kuwait. The Palestinians, who were either born in Gaza during the British Mandate, during the period of Egyptian administration of Gaza (1948-67), or who are descendants of those born there, have lived in Kuwait for decades but do not hold citizenship in any country. They do not carry Israeli Gaza identity cards but merely hold Egyptian travel documents, and are thus unable to legally live anywhere. According to the report, Kuwait intends to expel these persons to Iraq 11/15. (MEM 20/24)

Syrian FM Faruq al-Sharaa confirms Syria will attend peace conference but will not participate in subsequent talks on regional issues unless Israel displays willingness to withdraw from occupied Arab territories [see 9/26]. Al-Sharaa also states he will not shake hands with Israeli delegates at conference. (MEM, WP 10/17)

Tunisia, Morocco indicate they will take part in peace conference as observers. (MEM 10/17)

Secy. of State Baker travels to Jerusalem, holds discussions with PM Shamir, Palestinian negotiators. Talks with Palestinians centered on Palestinian delegation to peace conference. Two sides continue to disagree over Israeli demand that such a delegation not include Palestinians from East Jerusalem, a demand which Baker has urged Palestinian negotiators to accede to in order that the Palestinians not be left out of the peace process. (WP 10/17)

PLO delegation in Amman reportedly reaches agreement with Jordanian government over composition of joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation under joint leadership of King Hussein and Chmn. Arafat. But Jordanian government states it has discussed the issue not with the PLO but "people from the occupied territories" in effort to stem Israeli objections to PLO role in choosing Palestinian delegates. (MEM 10/16; WP 10/17)

PLO Central Comm. meets in Tunis to discuss Palestinian participation in peace conference. (WP 10/17)

Clandestine al-Quds Palestinian Arab Radio reports statement has been issued in o.t. by PFLP-GC, Hamas, Fateh-Revolutionary Council [Abu Nidal], Islamic Jihad, Mujahid Islamic Trend, and Fateh-Uprising [Abu Musa] rejecting "conference of humiliation." (al-Quds Palestinian Arab Radio 10/16, in FBIS 10/17)

Israeli military court sentences Shaykh Aimad Yasin, founder of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), to life imprisonment for ordering the deaths of several alleged Palestinian collaborators. Yasin was arrested in May 1989. (NYT 10/17)

Hundreds of Jewish settlers invade Silwan, on outskrits of East Jerusalem, and occupy eight Palestinian homes they claim were bought or leased from the government but occupied by Palestinians. Occupation of the homes was planned by Housing Minister Ariel Sharon, and several right-wing Knesset members, including Michael Eytan, Yuval Ne'eman, and Ge'ula Cohen, joined the settlers in a move some openly stated was an attempt to bring down the government of PM Shamir and disrupt U.S. efforts to convene a peace conference [see 10/4]. Police evacuate most of the homes, but PM Shamir tells settlers they can control one of them. Shamir calls settlers' action "unnecessary" and takes no action against Sharon. (MEM 10/9; WP 10/10, 10/14)

Sharon announces he will challenge PM Shamir for the Likud party's nomination for prime minister in 1992. (WP 10/11)

Four Israeli F-15 fighter planes fly on a reconnaissance mission over western Iraq. Iraqi officials claim the planes entered from Syrian airspace and left over Saudi airspace. U.S. strongly protested the action. One U.S. official claimed the planes traveled over Jordan, not Syria and Saudi Arabia. Israeli officials claim U.S. is not providing enough information on Iraqi missile sites in Iraq, that Israel must gather such information itself. (NYT, WP 10/9; WP 10/10)

Israeli newspaper Qol Ha'ir reports Sharon and the militant religious Ateret Cohanim movement have prepared a plan to establish 26 "settlement points" within Palestinian neighborhoods in the Jerusalem area, including 200 housing units in Silwan on eastern outskirts of East Jerusalem (HaAretz 10/4 in FBIS 10/4)

Settlers from Golan present PM Shamir a five-year plan for increased Israeli settlement on the Golan Heights. The plans call for expenditures of $200 million in roads, infrastructure, and for increasing number of settlers from present figure of 11,500 to 40,000 within four years. Shamir accepts plan by noting there was "no shadow of doubt" about Israel's future control of Golan. (MEM 10/4)

Israeli newspaper HaAretz reports that Israel, Germany have failed to reach an understanding over Israel's request for DM10 billion in credito assist settling Jewish immigrants. Among other reasons, Israel's request was based upon the fact that the former East Germany never paid reparations to Israel as did West Germany [see 8/28]. (HaAretz 10/4 in FBIS 10/8)

Addressing organizers of a Palestinian solidarity conference to be hosted by Tehran later in the month, Iranian pres. 'Ali Khamane'i rejects PNC decision, reaffirms that Israel must be "obliterated." (MEM 10/1)

Israeli transport min. Moshe Katzav announces plans to improve road system of E. Jerusalem, including building of a beltway around the city. Katzav notes that "our hold on Jerusalem is strong." (MEM 10/2)

Chmn. Arafat agrees to Palestinian participation in peace conference if four conditions are met: recognition of Palestinian right to self-determination; PLO must determine Palestinian participation in conference; Palestinians from E. Jerusalem must be allowed to participate and question of Jerusalem must not be deleted from conference agenda; Israeli settlement activity in occupied territories must be halted and international protection extended to Palestinians. Arafat also praises democratic reforms underway in USSR, amidst increasing criticism of Palestinian stance vis-a-vis the Soviet coup. (MEM 8/28)

Arafat meets Pres. Mubarak in Libya for first time since Gulf war. (MEM 8/29)

PFLP denounces U.S.-led peace plan, criticizes PL-0 for conditional agreement. (MEM 8/28)

Israeli press announces Israel recently requested aid from Germany to assist settlement of immigrants inIsrael. Finance ministry requested $5.74 billion in aid during secret negotiations held several weeks ago. (MEM 8/29)

Kuwait announces U.S. will build military base at Sabiyya, 40 km. from Kuwait-Iraq border. (MEM 8/28)

PLO, Hamas officials meet in Amman to discuss Hamas participation in upcoming PNC meeting. Hamas demands 40 seats in council. (AFP 8/26, in FBIS 8/27; MEM 8/27)

Israeli police question Hanan Ashrawi, Faisal Husseini on their recent meetings in London with Palestinian officials to determine if they violated Israeli law banning contact with PLO. (MEM 8/27)

After heated debates, Lebanese parliament approves amnesty for war crimes committed during Lebanese civil war. (NYT 8/27)

Hizbullah admits it holds two Israeli prisoners. (WP 8/27)

Israeli housing min. Ariel Sharon details major plan to expand Israeli settlements. Plan would expand settlements in Jerusalem area to link them with large settlement of Ma'ale Adumim, which itself would be expanded to reach Jericho, cutting the West Bank in half. Thousands of new homes would be built. (MEM 8/27, 8/29)

Israeli cabinet agrees to equal funding of Arab, Jewish municipalities following 10- day sit-in by Arab mayors. Mayors indicate they will take their protest to the Israeli labor federation, the Histadrut, to protest unfair practices by that body, which is dominated by the Labor party. (MEM 8/27)

Palestinian human rights group Al-Haq issues report on increased Jewish settlement in o.t. Places number of settlers in W. Bank, Gaza at 104,000 along with 127,700 in E. Jerusalem. (MEM 8/27)

Soviet, Ethiopian Jewish immigrants clash in Jerusalem hotel where they live; four injured. Soviets have complained of preferential treatment extended to Ethiopians. (MEM 8/27, 8/29)

Nayif Hawatma, leader of one of two factions now using the name DFLP, states DFLP, PFLP, Fateh have agreed on common stance concerning Palestinian participation in peace conference, including insistance on PLO's right to present a delegation comprised of Palestinians from within and outside the o.t., including delegates from E. Jerusalem. But the three groups failed to adopt a joint statement to this effect for presentation to the upcoming Palestine National Council (PNC) meeting. (Radio Monte Carlo 8/18 in FBIS 8/19)

Pres. Bush refuses to grant pardon to Jonathan Jay Pollard, convicted of spying for Israel. (JP 8/18 in FBIS 8/21)

Hizbullah leader Shaykh 'Abbas al-Musawi, other Hizbullah officials, arrive in Tehran for discussions with Iranian leaders on comprehensive Middle East prisoner-hostage exchange. (NYT 8/19)

Israeli for. ministry declares Ethiopia will allow remaining 2,600 Jews in Ethiopia to emigrate to Israel. (WP 8/17)

Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Reza Qaqzadeh-Kho'i presents Kuwaiti leader Shaykh Jabir al-Ahmad al-Sabah with letter from Iranian pres. Rafasanjani on protecting the rights of the Palestinian people. Letter follows recent diplomatic activity indicating increased PLO-Iranian ties. (Tehran Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran 8/17 in FBIS 9/1)

Palestinians protesting U.S.-led peace efforts clash with Israeli police near Damascus Gate, E. Jerusalem. (MEM 8/12)

PLO Chmn. Arafat asserts his right to choose Palestinian delegates to peace conference, again rejects Israeli veto over delegation's composition. Arafat also indicates that Palestine National Council will convene in Algeria next month to discuss peace initiative. (NYT 8/7)

In statement to U.S. press, King Hussein states not every city in occupied territories need be represented at peace conference, in reference to PLO insistence that E. Jerusalem Palestinians be allowed to participate in peace conference. (MEM 8/6)

Israeli press reports Prime Min. Shamir told Israeli cabinet he will walk out of peace talks if Syria demands return of Golan Heights. (LAT 8/7)

Israeli activists demonstrate at Eshkolot, Israeli settlement established 8/5. (MEM 8/6)

Secretary of State Baker, beginning 6th visit to Middle East since Gulf war, meets P.M. Shamir, F.M. Levy and D.M. Arens in Jerusalem. Following meeting, Shamir commits Israel to attend peace conference provided no Palestinians associated with PLO or from E. Jerusalem are included in talks. Shamir will seek approval from Israeli cabinet for move. Shamir states U.S. assured Israel that Palestinian participants meet Israeli criteria. (NYT, WP, LAT 8/2)

Pres. Bush and Soviet Pres. Gorbachev issue joint statement on Middle East peace conference in Moscow, indicating U.S. and USSR will sponsor conference in October. Invitations will be issued at least ten days prior to conference. (NYT, WP 8/1)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Yasir 'Abd Rabbo states PLO welcomes statement, but that Palestinian decision to attend is awaiting answer to request made of Gorbachev [see 7/25] to guarantee conference leads to Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, including E. Jerusalem, and leads to Palestinian self-determination. (MEM 8/1)

73rd leaflet issued by Unified National Leadership of the Uprising attacks U.S.-led peace plan, condemns Egyptian Pres. Mubarak's plan for end to Arab League boycott of Israel in return for halt to Israeli settlement building. (MEM 7/31) 

PLO Executive Committee begins open-ended meetings in Tunis, awaiting response from U.S.-Soviet summit in Moscow to demands put forward in letter to Soviet Pres. Mikhail Gorbachev. Demands include: guarantees that peace conference will result in Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, including Jerusalem, and granting of Palestinian self-determination; halt to Israeli settlement activity; and composition of Palestinian delegation by representatives chosen by PLO, including Jerusalem residents. (MEM 7/30)

Following meeting with Palestinian activist Faisal Husseini, French For. Min. Roland Dumas calls on Israel to accept E. Jerusalem Palestinians as part of Palestinian delegation to peace conference. Dumas states he was in contact with Secy. of State Baker, but did not claim U.S. or PLO support for his call. (MEM 7/25)

King Hussein meets with senior Jordanian officials, later meets with PLO officials led by PLO Executive Comm. member Mahmud 'Abbas. Talks allegedly center on composition of joint Jordanian-Palestinian delegation to peace conference. Israel continues to insist that no PLO members or E. Jerusalem residents participate inconference. (MEM 7/24; WP 8/2)

At E. Jerusalem press conference, PFLP, DFLP advocate rejection of U.S.-led peace efforts, warn against Palestinian concessions in excess of those authorized by resolutions of PLO Executive Committee, Central Committee, and Palestine National Council. (MEM 7/23) 

As Secy. of State Baker prepares to leave Amman for Jerusalem, King Hussein announces Jordan will participate in peace conference, support end to Arab League boycott in return for halt in settlement-building. Hussein states he has contacted Palestinians about joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation. Action brings together Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan in support of U.S.-led efforts to convene Middle East peace conference. Baker meets with Palestinian delegation (Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, and Zakariya al-Agha) in E. Jerusalem concerning formation of joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to peace talks. Baker tells them PLO can have no direct relationship with Palestinian delegation to peace talks, nor can Palestinians from E. Jerusalem participate in initial stages of talks because of categorical Israeli refusal to accede to any gesture which might suggest that sovereignty of Jerusalem negotiable. Baker reaffirmed U.S. belief that E. Jerusalem is part of occupied territories, and that Palestinians alone have right to choose their own representatives. (NYT, WP, 7/22; MEM 7/23)

Baker next begins talks with Prime Min. Shamir in Jerusalem on peace talks in wake of numerous Arab commitments to agree to U.S.-proposed terms for such negotiations. Baker states that Arab assent to attend conference means willingness to engage in face-to-face negotiations with Israel. Pres. Bush again calls on Israel to curb settlement building, urges Israel to accept Arab offer to end economic boycott in return for settlement freeze. Seven Arab nations have now agreed to such linkage. (NYT, WP, MEM 7/22)

In interview with Egyptian press, British Prime Min. John Major calls Israeli settlements "illegal," "damaging" to peace process, including those in E. Jerusalem. (MEM 7/22) 

Beginning fifth trip to region since March, Secy. of State Baker meets with Pres. al-Asad in Damascus. Asad reiterates willingness to attend peace conference with Israel without preconditions, breaking with decades of Syrian policy regarding negotiations with Israel. (MEM 7/18; WP 7/19)

Brief gun battle breaks out between Lebanese army, PLO forces in al-Bass, Burj al-Shamali refugee camps in Tyre. Army still blockading camps over charges that PLO has refused to hand over heavy and medium weapons, a charge denied by PLO. (MEM 7/19)

Israeli judge Ezra Kama issues report stating Israeli police provoked Oct. 1990 violence at E. Jerusalem's Haram al-Sharif which left at least 17 Palestinians dead, over 100 wounded, as well as 28 policemen injured. Ruling contradicts police's own Oct. 1990 investigation which exonerated policemen of blame in incident and which claimed Palestinians provoked violence by throwing rocks at Jews worshiping at nearby Western Wall. Kama determined that rock-throwing came after shooting had begun and most Jewish worshippers had fled. New report stated no charges could be brought in case, however, since it remains unclear which policemen shot at whom. Israeli Police Min. Ronnie Milo admits police made mistakes but asserts Palestinians were nonetheless responsible for incident. (MEM 7/18; NYT, WP 7/19)

Prime Min. Shamir insists on Israeli right to veto Palestinian delegates to peace talks in apparent contradiction with agreement reached earlier with Secy. of State Baker, Shamir also ruled out freeze on settlement building prior to conference. (MEM 6/10; NYT 6/11)

Palestinian activists condemn internecine Palestinian killings occurring in occupied territories at E. Jerusalem forum. (NYT, LAT 6/12)

Beginning trip to Middle East, Sec. Baker, along with other U.S. officials, acknowledge that initial exploratory efforts for Arab-Israeli settlement had gotten nowhere, and that it is time for Washington to begin pressing parties for specific concessions [NYT, WP, CSM 4/8].

In preparation for Sec. Baker's visit, Israeli officials bar Palestinians from Israel and E. Jerusalem [JDS 4/7 in FBIS 4/9; MET 4/16].

In effort to calm demands for democratic reform, Emir of Kuwait reiterates pledge to hold parliamentary elections "during the coming year, God willing." Emir also says he will study possibility of giving vote to some and to some of those now considered "second class" citizens in Kuwait (cf. 4/9) [NYT, WP, LAT, MEM 4/8; KUNA 4/7 in FBIS 4/8].

Scientists estimate oil spill in Gulf to be about 1.5 million barrels, with an estimated 3,000 barrels still pouring into the Gulf from several sources in Kuwait [WP 4/8].

Palestinian surgeon Dr. Mamdouh Aker is released on NIS 20,000 ($10,000) bail after over 5 weeks of detention on suspicion of writing intifada leaflet telling Palestinians how to protect themselves during Gulf war emergencies [MEM 4/8].

Iraqi troops launch attack to force Kurdish rebels out of northern oil city of Kirkuk [LAT, WT 3/29; MET 4/9].

Rebels says food shortages are hurting their cause; appeal for international help [NYT, WP 3/29; AFP 3/28 in FBIS 3/29].

UN environmentalist compares Kuwait's burning oil wells with Chernobyl disaster, saying scientific world is still unable to measure the extent of the disaster in Kuwait [LAT, WP 3/29].

Israel bars o.t. Palestinians from entering Jewish state and E. Jerusalem from midnight 3/28 until midnight 3/30 to prevent violence during Passover and Land Day; IDF shoots dead 12-year-old Gaza youth during clash with stone throwers [LAT, WP 3/29; JDS 3/28 in FBIS 3/28; JDS 3/28, 3/29 in FBIS 3/29; MET 4/9]; 22-year-old Palestinian is also shot dead, and elderly Jew is stabbed and wounded in Jerusalem's Old City [NYT 3/29; JDS 3/28 in FBIS 3/28].

Fighting allegations that Palestinians in Kuwait have been tortured and killed since emirate was freed, Kuwaiti ambassador to UN writes to Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar, saying Kuwait will protect its Palestinian population and that Red Cross may visit detainees [LAT 3/28].

Western and Middle East diplomats say Bush admin. is exploring possibility of convening regional peace talks with U.S. and U.S.S.R. as hosts that would serve as opening for direct negotiations between Israel and Arab neighbors [NYT 2/28].

Iranian Pres. Rafsanjani says that Teheran has not provided troops or materials to Iraqi insurgents, saying the rebels neither want nor need Iranian help [NYT 3/28].

Israeli Police Minister Roni Milo advises Jewish public to kill any Palestinian seen brandishing a knife; on 3/26 Milo ordered security officers to "shoot to kill" any Palestinian believed about to attack an Israeli [NYT 3/28].

UN Sec. Council issues statement deploring Israeli's decision to deport 4 Gazans, and said that it was "deeply concerned" over continuing unrest in o.t. [WP 3/28]; permanent Council members are reportedly in agreement over tentative cease-fire resolution [MET 4/9].

45-year-old Palestinian is stabbed to death in E. Jerusalem; no arrests are made [JDS 3/28 in FBIS 3/28].