Israeli cabinet approves (15-1, 2 abstentions) 8/11 Oslo B agmt. PM Rabin decides to not submit draft to Knesset for vote but wait until comprehensive interim agmt. is reached. (IDF Radio, QY 8/13...
In Taba, PA, Israel modify zones defined 6/17, accepted 6/27: Zone A will include only Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqiliyya; Zone B will include Ramallah, Bethlehem as well as villages, refugee...
Syria's Amb. Mu`allim, Israeli Amb. Rabinovitch reopen negotiations in Washington without military advisors, focus on depth of demilitarization, with Syria still insisting demilitarized zone be on...
Secy. of State Christopher is kept waiting 6 hrs, before mtg. with Saudi Arabia's King Fahd in Jidda; encourages support for Middle East Development Bank, easing of Arab boycott on Israel, funding...
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Israeli cabinet approves (15-1, 2 abstentions) 8/11 Oslo B agmt. PM Rabin decides to not submit draft to Knesset for vote but wait until comprehensive interim agmt. is reached. (IDF Radio, QY 8/13, JP 8/14 in FBIS 8/14; FT, MM 8/14; CSM, MM 8/15; HA 8/15 in FBIS 8/16; WJW 8/17)
100 Palestinians overrun, tear down makeshift camp nr. Beyt El erected by Jewish settlers in protest over Oslo B agmt. Settlers open fire, killing 1 Palestinian, wounding another. Nr. Jenin, settlers storm nursery run by PA Agriculture Min., claim land, set up tents. Israeli police unsuccessfully try to evict them. 10 settler encampments are still in place. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/14; HA 8/14 in FBIS 8/15; PR 8/18)
IDF lifts closure on West Bank, Gaza. (HA 8/14 in FBIS 8/14)
In Taba, PA, Israel modify zones defined 6/17, accepted 6/27: Zone A will include only Jenin, Nablus, Tulkarm, Qalqiliyya; Zone B will include Ramallah, Bethlehem as well as villages, refugee camps; Zone C remains the same. PA also gives Israel a working paper proposing 3-stage prisoner release. (MM 8/9; QY 8/9 in FBIS 8/9)
200 Palestinians are deported fr. Libya, sent on busses through Egypt to Rafah checkpoint at Gaza border. (AFP, MENA 8/10 in FBIS 8/11)
Based on information received fr. the PA, IDF closes West Bank, Gaza until 8/11, citing security precautions. (ITV 8/9 in FBIS 8/10; WT 8/10; YA 8/11 in IL 8/11)
Settlers set up makeshift camp on 25 acres of land nr. Carmel Zur settlement nr. Hebron. 100s of Palestinians protest, clash with IDF soldiers. (PR 8/18)
Tel Aviv District Court charges Israeli-Arab Muhammad al-Mu`ati Hajj Abdallah, a Shin Bet operative, with offering the PA his services as a double agent. (QY 8/9 in FBIS 8/9)
Senate approves draft bill that would cancel Jordan's debt, sends it to Pres. Clinton for signature. (al-Dustur, JTV 7/22 in FBIS 7/24)
In Amman, Jordanian FM Kabariti receives Russian Dep. FM Posuvalyuk, discusses bilateral relations, peace process, Bosnia, sanctions on Iraq. (RJ 7/22 in FBIS 7/24)
PSF West Bank cmdr. Maj. Gen. Nasr Yusuf tours Jenin in preparation IDF withdrawal, says he expects to be given responsibility for Jenin in next several wks. (VOP 7/21 in FBIS 7/21)
PA graduates 125 new security agents to be deployed in West Bank after IDF pullback. (WJW 8/3)
Nr. Beyt El, West Bank, Israeli police arrest 13 settlers blocking roads, burning tires, clashing with police in protest over government negotiations with the PA. (MM 7/21; QY 7/21 in FBIS 7/21)
In dawn raids in Gaza City, PA police arrest 11 PFLP mbrs., incl. top officials, in connection with 7/18 attack. (AFP 7/21 in FBIS 7/24)
Syria's Amb. Mu`allim, Israeli Amb. Rabinovitch reopen negotiations in Washington without military advisors, focus on depth of demilitarization, with Syria still insisting demilitarized zone be on both sides of border. (al-Hayat 3/27 in FBIS 3/29; MM 3/30; MBC 3/30 in FBIS 3/31; MEI 3/31; JP 4/1; WJW 4/6)
King Hussein arrives in Washington, meets with Clinton on congressional decision to cut debt forgiveness, moving U.S. embassy in Israel. King then meets with House speaker Gingrich, Sen. Patrick Leahy fr. Senate Foreign Relations Comm. to discuss debt issue. (RJ 3/27 in FBIS 3/27; RJ 3/28 in FBIS 3/29; MM 3/29; CSM, MEI 3/31; FT 4/4)
Arafat, Israeli Labor Secy. Gen. Nissim Zvilli meet in Jericho, discuss closure, Israeli security, economic problems, impediments to negotiations. (IDF Radio, VOP 3/27 in FBIS 3/28; MM 3/29)
Morocco opens liaison offices in Tel Aviv, Gaza, making it 3d Arab country to establish ties with Israel. (ITV 3/27 in FBIS 3/28; JP 4/8)
Jenin prison closes. All prisoners are transferred to jails inside Green Line. Move thought to anticipate Israeli withdrawal fr. Jenin as part of "Jenin 1st" proposal. (PR 3/26) (see 2/19)
Secy. of State Christopher is kept waiting 6 hrs, before mtg. with Saudi Arabia's King Fahd in Jidda; encourages support for Middle East Development Bank, easing of Arab boycott on Israel, funding of PA's daily operations, NPT. King gives no response. (MM, NYT, WP 3/13; WT 3/14; WT 3/21)
FM Peres, Crown Prince Hassan meet in Amman; discuss implementation of peace treaty, possibility of establishing free-trade zone in Elat-Taba-Aqaba region, water projects, regional security, creation of regional bank; announce plans to meet with German Chancellor Helmut Kohl in Bonn regarding dam project 3/15. (RJ 3/12, JT 3/13 in FBIS 3/13; MM 3/13; QY 3/13 in FBIS 3/14)
In 1st visit by British head of state to Israel in 9 yrs, PM Major arrives in Israel for 2-day visit; promises to build closer trade ties to Israel, increase aid to the PA. (IGPO, QY 3/12, IGPO, QY 3/13 in FBIS 3/13; MM, WT 3/13; MEI 3/17; JP 3/18)
PA rearrests Shaykh al-Safadi fr. Gaza's Filastin Mosque for giving anti-PA sermon. (QY 5/14 in FBIS 5/15) (see 3/3)
Senior Israeli military officials say 100s of plainclothes Palestinian police are operating in Jenin, Nablus, Ramallah in a semiofficial manner, with the IDF's knowledge, settling civil disputes, investigating crimes. PA Planning M Shaath denies report. (HA, RMC, VOP 3/13 in FBIS 3/14)
Palestinian police find 2 bombs planted along road scheduled to be travelled by Arafat. IDF detonates them. (AFP 3/12 in FBIS 3/14)