The Palestine Chronology

As the House approves 4 articles of impeachment against him in Washington, Pres. Clinton arrives in Tel Aviv on 1st stop of 4-day visit. At the airport, PM Netanyahu offers Clinton a "lukewarm" greeting, warns that the Wye agmt. is unraveling, says he will not halt his criticism of the PA, which he accuses of violating every clause of the Wye accord. (ITV, MENA 12/12, JT 12/13 in WNC 12/15; NYT, WP, WT 12/13; GIU, NYT 12/14; PR 12/18)

In Damascus, 8 PLO opposition groups, Hamas, Islamic Jihad open 2-day conference to reaffirm opposition to the Oslo process, adherence to PLO charter. Jordan prevents 32 Palestinians fr. crossing border to attend. (JT, SA 12/12, JTV 12/13, JT 12/14 in WNC 12/15; MM 12/14; al-Majd 12/14 in WNC 12/17; MEI 12/25; al-Watan al-Arabi 1/1 in WNC 1/5)

Jordanian PM Fayiz al-Tarawnah arrives in Gaza for coordination mtg. with Arafat. Both men call on Palestinian prisoners to end their hunger strike (see 12/11). (RJ 12/12 in WNC 12/15; al-Majd 12/14 in WNC 12/16)

In Gaza, 100s of Palestinians demonstrate against Israel's refusal to release political prisoners. During similar demonstration in Bethlehem, PA police, IDF clash with Palestinians, leaving 7 injured. (NYT, WT 12/13)

Jordanian security arrests 8 Palestinians in Baq`a refugee camp for planning rallies for 12/14 to protest Arafat's annulment of the PLO charter. (JT 12/14 in WNC 12/15; al-Dustur 12/15 in WNC 12/16, 12/17)

In Cairo, Arafat briefs Pres. Mubarak on PA plans for reenergizing the peace process now that the Iraq crisis has passed. (MENA 2/25)

After several days of stone throwing clashes btwn. Palestinians and soldiers, the IDF seals the entrance to Qalandiyya refugee camp in the West Bank. Palestinians continue to throw stones at troops, who fire live ammunition, tear gas. 1 Palestinian is severely beaten by soldiers, 5 are arrested. Tear gas enters a girls school nearby. (NYT, WP 2/26)

In Amman, Jordan, Iran hold talks on improving bilateral tourism. (IRNA 2/25 in WNC 3/3)

Jordan' State Security Court sentences 10 Jordanians with trying to smuggle weapons to the West Bank. (al-Dustur 2/26 in WNC 3/3)

Germany says it has uncovered new cases of illegal weapons exports to Libya, Syria. (ARD Television [Munich] 2/25 in WNC 3/3)

In Bogota, 4 fmr. IDF officers are among 6 persons indicted on charges of training Columbian paramilitary units of the Medellin drug cartel in terror tactics in the 1987+n89. (WP, WT 2/27)

An Israeli judge suggests that Samuel Sheinbein, an American who fled to Israel after allegedly murdering a teenager in Maryland and claimed Israeli citizenship to avoid extradition, voluntarily return to the U.S. to stand trial, serve time in Israeli jail if convicted. (WP 2/26) (see 10/19/97)