The Palestine Chronology

1st round of talks on interim arrangement btwn. Israel, PA ends in Cairo. Sides agree Israel should hand PA control of "packages" of offices in West Bank as funds become available to PA, even before interim stage is completed. 1st to be transfer will be 33 Civil Administration offices. (MENA, QY, VOP 12/7 in FBIS 12/8; HA 12/8 in FBIS 12/9)

U.S. Secy. of State Christopher holds separate talks with Israeli FM Peres, Arafat, briefs them on his mtg. with Syrian Pres. al-Asad. Says he won assurances fr. Peres that Israel would not renege on agmts. made in the DOP. (IDF Radio, RMC, VOP 12/7 in FBIS 12/8; NYT, WP, WT 12/8; MEI 12/16)

Joint Jordanian-Israeli comm. on treaty implementation meets in Amman to discuss duties, dates of mtgs. of various committees. (JTV, RJ 12/7 in FBIS 12/8)

Israeli, PA negotiators meet at Erez checkpoint to discuss building port in Gaza. Israel demands PA present detailed plans for construction at mtg. 12/17. PA says port will cost $60 m.; France, Holland have agreed to help fund construction. (QY 12/7 in FBIS 12/8; PR 12/11)

High-level Jordanian-Palestinian talks are held in Amman in preparation for mtg. of 4-party comm. on repatriation of displaced Palestinians. Parties agree DOP, Human Rights Charter, UN Res. 237 will be legal framework for talks; agree on definition of "displaced Palestinians." (Al-Dustur 12/7 in FBIS 12/7; Al-Aswaq 12/8 in FBIS 12/9)

Cooperative agmt. btwn. Histadrut, Palestinian trade unionists, negotiated for months, collapses in Brussels when Palestinian delegates insist on last-minute inclusion of clause calling for Histadrut to support creation of Palestinian state, division of Jerusalem. (QY 12/7 in FBIS 12/8; Al-Hamishmar 12/13 in FBIS 12/21)

Donor countries promise to release $125 m. of promised aid to PA immediately to help self-rule transition. Arafat says money will go to improving Gaza slums. (VOP 11/30 in FBIS 12/1; CSM, MM, WP, WT 12/1; Le Soir 12/1 in FBIS 12/2; JP 12/3; WJW 12/8; MEI 12/16)

Labor MK Ori Orr suggests Israel postpone troop withdrawal fr. West Bank but uproot some settlements ahead of schedule. Similar statements made separately by Environmental M Sarid. Comments widely thought to be "trial balloons" sent up by Rabin government. (JP, QY 11/30 in MM 11/30; MM 12/2)

Israel, Palestinians, donor countries sign "memorandum of understanding" outlining PA's needs for next 4 mos., issues of taxation, Israeli aid, contributions fr. donor countries. (QY 11/30 in FBIS 12/1)

Joint Jordanian-Israeli borders comm. ends 2nd 2-day round of talks in Aqaba. Each side delegates 3 teams to carry out primary delineation of border, to be completed 12/6. (PETRA 11/30 in FBIS 12/1)

Joint Jordanian-Israeli comm. on treaty implementation creates 2 subcommittees comprising representatives fr. armed forces and Mins. of Interior, Agriculture, Water respectively to implement Jordanian law in al-Ghamar, Baqurah areas by 1/95, in keeping with Jordan-Israel treaty annexes. (PETRA 11/30 in FBIS 12/1)

ITV reports Israeli Amb. Itamar Rabinovitch, Syrian Amb. Walid Mu`allim recently held talks in Washington on security arrangements in which senior army officers fr. both sides participated; some progress was made. (ITV 11/30, HA 12/1 in FBIS 12/1)

UNRWA approves $163,810 in new small-business loans for projects in Gaza, bring number of UNRWA loans to Gaza to 157. (UNRWA News 11/30)

IDF soldier is axed to death by Palestinian in Afula, northern Israel; IDF arrests 40 Hamas mbrs. in West Bank. (IDF Radio 11/30 in FBIS 12/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/1; PR 12/4; WJW 12/8; JP 12/10)

2-day mtg. of donor countries begins in Brussels. World Bank grants PA $58 m., tells Arafat only $240 m. of $700 m. promised by donors is likely to arrive this yr.; cites donors' desire to finance prestige projects, not day-to-day needs, delays in implementing autonomy, lack of guarantees fr. Arafat. Donors ask Israel to ease restrictions on Palestinian workers. (MM 11/29; La Une Radio, Brussels 11/29, QY 11/30, VOP 11/30 in FBIS 12/1; WT 11/30; NYT, WP 12/1; Le Soir 12/1 in FBIS 12/2; PR 12/4)

PM Rabin tours Tomb of the Patriarchs. Says he will ask for Palestinian elections without Israeli withdrawal fr. West Bank towns during upcoming talks in Cairo; seeks to separate Israelis fr. Palestinians but will not remove settlements now; wants to create jobs in West Bank to keep Palestinian workers out of Israel. (WT 11/30; NYT 12/5)

Islamic Conference Organization (ICO) issues statement expressing solidarity with Palestinians, supporting peace process. (SPA, Riyad 11/29 in FBIS 11/29)

Israeli FM Dir. Gen. Uri Savir says Israel will no longer block imports of materials to, impede economic development in Gaza. (NYT 12/1)

Arafat holds mtgs. with Fateh, Islamic groups; indirectly accuses Israel of sparking 11/18 violence in attempt to assassinate Hamas leaders; releases 31 Islamic Jihad mbrs. fr. jail to appease opposition. Protests continue, Hamas asks Arafat to fire Justice M Frayh Abu-Midyan, 2 senior police officials. (NYT, WP, WT 11/21; VOP 11/20, 11/21 in FBIS 11/22, MM 11/22; PR 11/27; MEI 12/2)

PM Rabin states some Israelis are acting with "criminal irresponsibility" by "spreading lies" in the U.S. to discourage U.S. government fr. stationing of troops in Golan, asks embassy staff in U.S. to confront them. (IDF Radio, QY 11/21 in FBIS 11/21) (see 9/29)

Israeli FM Shimon Peres suggests Israel ease economic pressure on PA by giving PA $13 m. in tax money collected fr. Palestinians working in Israel. Some MKs oppose suggestion, saying Israel should not fund Palestinian autonomy. (QY 11/20 in FBIS 11/21; WP 11/21)

Sen. Helms calls Syrian efforts at peace a "fraud," says he will oppose U.S. troop presence in Golan as head of Foreign Relations Comm. (QY 11/20, Davar 11/21 in FBIS 11/21; NYT, WP 11/22)

PM Rabin orders more troops to guard settlements in Gaza Strip. (WP, WT 11/21)

7 Fateh Central Comm. mbrs. living outside autonomous areas hold mtg. in Tunis to discuss 11/18 violence. (Al-Sharq Al-Awsat 11/25 in FBIS 11/29)

New weekly newspaper Al-Hayat Al-Jadid is issued in o.t., claiming to be "new opposition," accepting PA while improving its performance fr. within. It is published by frmr. PLO Amb. to Moscow Nabil `Amr, edited by Hafiz Barghouti. (PR 11/20)

PM Rabin, Arafat meet at Erez, agree to speed up talks on expanding Palestinian self-rule to deflect opposition's criticism of Arafat; says 10,000 new work permits will be issued to Palestinians (meaning 23,000 workers will now be allowed into Israel versus 60,000 before 10/19); promises health, taxation, welfare, tourism will be given to PNA by end of month. (MM 11/8; IDF Radio, ITV, VOP 11/8 in FBIS 11/9; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/9; CSM 11/10; JP 11/19)

Arms Control and Regional Security Group opens mtg. at Dead Sea Hotel. Working groups fr. 22 countries (inc. Israel, the Palestinians, U.S., Russia) to discuss regional communication on security, military issues; exchange of military data; advance notice of military maneuvers; confidence building. (RJ 11/8 in FBIS 11/9; RJ 11/9 in FBIS 11/10; AFP 11/9, JTV 101/10, QY 11/11 in FBIS 11/14)

PM Rabin counters IDF official's public statement made 11/9 that Syrian Pres. al-Asad cannot be trusted, saying Syria has not abrogated an agmt. since 1973 war. (QY 11/8 in FBIS 11/9)

Pres. Clinton sends letter to Lebanese Pres. Hrawi expressing hope for progress on Israel-Lebanon track, but omitting reference to UN Res. 425. Hrawi upset. (RL 11/8 in FBIS 11/9; MM 11/9)

King Hussein announces he will make 1st open visit to Israel 11/10 to exchange treaty ratification documents with PM Rabin. (WP, WT 11/9)

Cholera kills 1, sickens 29 in Gaza. Israel bans indefinitely all food imports fr. Gaza. Farmers expect $300,000 losses per day. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/9; MM 11/16; JP 11/19)

Israeli gunboat stops, searches German ship off Tyre, Lebanon. (RL 11/8 in FBIS 11/9)

Israeli FM Peres says Israel will sign NPT once comprehensive Arab-Israeli peace agmt. is reached and accord ridding region of nuclear weapons, weapons of mass destruction is signed. (WT 11/9)

Israel suspends all negotiations with PLO after Hamas announces it is holding an IDF soldier hostage. Hamas says it will kill the soldier 10/14 if 200 Palestinian prisoners--inc. Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, Shaykh Salah Shehadeh, Shaykh `Abd al-Karim Obeid, Mustafa al-Dirani--are not released. PM Rabin calls emergency cabinet mtg., suspends transfer of aid fr. donor countries, seals Gaza, says he holds Arafat responsible. Arafat condemns abduction, calls mtg. of PSF. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/12; AFP, ITV, JP, Al-Quds radio 10/11, MENA, VOP , QY 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; CSM 10/13; HA 10/14 in FBIS 10/14)

Jordanian, Palestinian officials conclude talks in Amman, announce broad agmts. on trade, customs, banking, civil aviation; agree to draw up position papers on Awqaf, refugees. (JT 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; JTV 10/12 in FBIS 10/13)

U.S. FM Christopher meets with Syrian Pres. al-Asad, says both Syria, Israel have made significant movements towards peace, says he has been pleased al-Asad has taken U.S. advice and made public gestures showing he is serious. (SARR 10/11 in FBIS 10/11; WP 10/12)

FM Christopher leaves Syria for Amman, meets with King Hussein, Crown Prince Hassan to discuss U.S.-Jordanian relations, peace talks, Iraqi maneuvers. (JTV 10/11 in FBIS 10/12, MM 10/12)

PM Rabin confirms that rifles used in Hamas attack 10/10 were AK47's belonging to the Palestinian police. (NYT 10/12)

The Nobel committee decides to award the Nobel Peace Prize to PLO chmn. Arafat, Israeli PM Rabin. (MM 10/11; NYT, WT 10/12; CSM, WJW 10/13; MM 10/14)

U.S. Commerce Sec. Ron Brown holds mtg. with mbrs. of Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) delegation of Palestinian businessmen on 5-day visit to seek American funding for projects in West Bank, Gaza. (WT 10/12; JP 10/15)

Iraqi retreat is detected by U.S. intelligence. Pres. Clinton says it is too early to reach conclusions on Saddam Hussein's action, U.S. will continue reinforcement of the Gulf, may press for enlarging demilitarized zone along Kuwaiti border. (NYT, WP, WT 10/12)

IDF, SLA continue shelling southern Lebanon, "deport" 26 Kufr Hunah villagers fr. self-declared security zone. Lebanese FM Buwayz asks UN to act. (RL 10/11 in FBIS 10/12; MM 10/12)

U.S. issues "angry warning" to PM Rabin to stop talks with Iraq following reports 2 Iraqi-born MK's initiated contacts in July; suggests military, economic aid is at risk. Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer admits secret negotiations with Syria over a peace treaty occurred. Rabin claims he knew nothing, Syrian government denies reports. (AFP, ITV, JP, QY 9/19 in FBIS 9/19; WT 9/23)

PECDAR concludes econ. mtg. in Cairo. PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi issues statement encouraging new mtg. of donor states, quick disbursal of aid so autonomy process is not hampered. (Al-Hayat 9/20 in FBIS 9/20)

Islamic Unification Movement issues leaflet in Gaza announcing its establishment; claims it advocates unity and coordination, does not oppose any Islamic or national faction (inc. PNA). (Al-Manar 9/19 in FBIS 9/22)

Declassified British documents admit British intelligence secretly established, ran Sharq al-Adna radio in Palestine fr. 1941-56. The station, fronted as an Arab radio, was influential during the Suez crisis, broadcasting anti-Nasir/anti-Israeli propaganda. (WT 9/19)

Egyptian FM Musa meets with Faisal Husseini, Hannan Ashrawi, Ziyad Abu Zayyad at Orient House in Jerusalem, discusses mtgs. with Israelis. (VOP 9/1 in FBIS 9/2)

Trilateral Jordanian-Israeli-U.S. comm. meets in Washington to discuss trade, tourism issues. (RJ 9/1 in FBIS 9/1)

3-day mtg. of UN nongovernmental organizations (NGO's) on the question of Palestine ends in Geneva. UN Human Rights Comm. passes resolution extending econ. assistance to PNA; rejects resolution condemning Israel for human rights abuses in o.t. for 1st time since 1968. (CSM 8/30; WJW 9/1)

Arafat orders arrest of 27 mbrs. of "presidential guard" for undiscipline for firing guns in air at a Gaza wedding. (MM 9/1)

Germany opens foreign aid office in Jericho. (VOP, QY 8/31 in FBIS 9/1)

Israeli PM Rabin flatly refuses Egyptian FM Musa's request that Israel sign nuclear nonproliferation treaty (NPT). (MM 8/31, 9/1; JP 9/1 in FBIS 9/2)

Special Russian envoy to the Middle East Viktor Posuvalyuk meets with Arafat, Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin, says Russia wants to be active partner in all negotiations on Jerusalem. PM Rabin says Russia is interfering, trying to bring new initiatives to the talks, should coordinate with U.S. (MM 8/26; Al-Hamishmar 8/26 in IL 8/26; VOP 8/26 in FBIS 8/26; WJW 9/1)

Arafat approves new 13-mbr. council (inc. Fateh, Hamas, PFLP) to replace Israeli-appointed mayor of Jericho Jamil Khalaf until elections are held. Hassan Salih al-Husayn, Fateh mbr. and former PLO military cmdr., will be chair. (QY, VOP 8/25 in FBIS 8/26)

Poll released by Center for Palestine Research and Studies shows Palestinians oppose Arafat's restrictions on press, prefer Palestinian over Jordanian control of Islamic trusts. 13.9% of respondents favor Hamas; 39%, Fateh. (MM 8/26; QY 8/25 in FBIS 8/30; CSM 9/21)

Israeli Dep. FM Beilin says Pakistani PM Bhutto must clear visit to Gaza with Israeli FMin., stating Cairo Agmt. leaves Israel in charge of foreign relations, in control of borders. (QY 8/24, 2/25 in FBIS 8/25; Davar 8/26 in IL 8/26)

IDF raids Salah al-Din mosque in Nablus, confiscates alleged Hamas material, seriously injures 6 Palestinian protesters. (QY 8/25 in FBIS 8/25, 8/26; JP 9/3)

PM Rabin postpones "safe passage" btwn. Gaza, Jericho citing lack of PNA action toward recent Hamas attacks. (MEI 8/26)

Jordanian-Palestinian talks end in Amman. Joint comm. is formed to meet monthly, discuss economic, political, administrative issues. Plans for Palestinian currency suspended, Jordanian dinar to be primary currency of PNA areas for 3-yr. period. (JTV 8/22, MM 8/23; VOP 8/23 in FBIS 8/23; RJ 8/23 in FBIS 8/24; Al-Dustur 9/3 in FBIS 9/7)

171 Palestinian figures, inc. 82 mbrs of PNC, PLO Central Council, PLO Executive Comm. issue statement criticizing Arafat; reject calls for PNC mtg. in Gaza, amendment of charter; denounce DOP. (MM 8/23; Al-Dustur 8/23 in FBIS 8/24; CSM 8/25; MEI 8/26)

Curfew on Rafah is lifted. (QY in FBIS 8/22)

IDF detains 15 Hamas, Islamic Jihad mbrs. in Janin. (QY 8/22 in FBIS 8/23)

Palestinian prisoners released 8/19 hold press conference to protest Israel's demand they remain in Gaza, Jericho for remainder of their sentences, criticize Arafat. (ITV 8/22 in FBIS 8/23)

Israeli PM Rabin promises NIS 16 m. to build new road in West Bank so settlers can bypass Jericho. (QY 8/22 in FBIS 8/23)

Israel shells villages in Iqlim al-Tuffah, Jabal Abu Rashid southern Lebanon in response to 8/18 Hizballah attack. (WT 8/24)

New Palestinian group calling itself Palestinian National Liberation Movement-Fateh Soldiers of Right (jund al-haq) issues leaflet in o.t. saying it will "remove injustice, fight corrution, and restore Fateh's past status." (Al-Ra'y 8/22 in FBIS 8/23)

Israeli cabinet approves draft of early empowerment accord. (NYT 8/24)

Arafat meets PLO officials in Tunis to discuss problems with advancing self-rule. PNC SG Muhammad Subayh links convening PNC in o.t., amendment of charter with full Israeli withdrawal, recognition of Palestinian state, deployment Palestinian forces. PLO Political Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi says salaries of PLO employees, soldiers have not been paid. (AFP, VOP 8/21 in FBIS 8/22; VOP 8/22 in FBIS 8/23; MEI 8/26; JP 9/3)

PNA Culture M Yasir `Abd-Rabbuh arrives in Amman for talks with Jordanian FM/PM `Abd al-Salam al-Majali on improving Palestinian-Jordanian cooperation in tourism, education, health, trade, communications. (CSM, JT, WSJ 8/22; VOP 8/23 in FBIS 8/23)

In Gaza, Palestinian police wound 6, impose curfew for 1st time to quell unrest following death of Palestinian 8/20. (FBIS, WSJ 8/22; WJW 8/25)

Palestinian Human Rights Information Center (PHRIC) demands investigation into alleged "terror tactics and death threats" against Palestinian activist Maha Nasir by PNA for her objection to Social Affairs M Intisar al-Wazir's attendance at a women's conference this wk. (WP 8/22)

Hamas suspends all dialogue with PNA until Arafat opens exec. positions on Gaza City Council to opposition mbrs. (HA 8/21 in FBIS 8/22)

Israeli FM Shimon Peres says Israeli-Palestinian Liaison Comm. agreed to international temporary force for deployment in West Bank. Troops to be fr. Australia, Turkey, Norway, Finland, 2 European countries. Palestinians to man Gaza, Jericho crossing pts. Israel to issue 35,000 new work permits to Gaza Palestinians. (MENA 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; JP 8/27)

Israel freezes plans for IDF withdrawal fr. o.t., ties extension of self-rule to a halt in Hamas attacks on Israelis. PM Yitzhak Rabin calls current steps by PNA to curb Hamas a publicity stunt. 5 of 40 Hamas mbrs. arrested by Palestinian police 8/15 still held. (QY 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; NYT 8/18)

Jordan's Tourism M Muhammad Al-Idwan arrives in Israel for joint talks, 1st high-level Jordanian official to publicly visit Israel. (Near East Report 8/22)

IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Ehud Barak meets Defense Secy. William Perry, JCS Chmn. Gen. John Shalikashvili, National Security Advisor Anthony Lake in Washington; stresses Israel should hold onto all of Golan for security purposes. (ITV 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; WT 8/19)

PNA M of Trade and Econ. Ahmad Qurai` protests to Jordan that its trade agmt. with Israel (see 8/16) violates existing agmts. btwn. Israel, PLO. (ITV 8/17 in FBIS 8/18)

Hamas, Islamic Jihad, DFLP, PFLP issue leaflet saying Arafat's recent crackdown on Hamas is pushing Palestinians to "the edge of civil war." (AFP 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; MM 8/22)

IDF kills Palestinian trying to enter Israel fr. Gaza nr. Rafah. (QY 8/17 in FBIS 8/18; UNRWA News 8/24))

Israel seals off Gaza Strip after previous day's riot at Erez checkpoint until "further notice."  Israeli cabinet mbrs. accuse Palestinian police of "gross irresponsibility" in incident.  (NYT 7/19)

Israel-Jordan peace talks open in tent on border 10 mi. north of Aqaba/Eilat.  Israeli delegation headed by Elyakim Rubenstein, Jordanian by Amb. to U.S. Fayiz Tarawnah.  Tarawnah expresses hope talks "will culminate in a treaty of peace," but PM and FM `Abd al-Salam Majali says Jordan "will not make a separate settlement with Israel by any means."  Talks break into working comm. sessions on borders, security, and water, energy, and environment issues.  (RJ, JTV 7/18 in FBIS 7/18; MM 7/18; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/19)

Palestinian-Israeli talks resume in Cairo, agenda focusing on transfer of education authority to PNA.  (MENA 7/18 in FBIS 7/18)

Secy of State Christopher meets Israeli PM Rabin, FM Peres in Jerusalem, says Arab-Israeli conflict "drawing to an end."  (MM 7/18; NYT, WT 7/19)

Israeli govt. proposes legislation to bar PLO political activity in Israel and Jerusalem unless special approval given.  (MM 7/19; TJT 7/22; JP 7/30)

FM Peres announces Casablanca will host international Middle East economic conference 10/30, with over 2,000 companies participating.  (MM 7/19)

Bomb destroys Buenos Aires building housing Jewish organizations, files on Nazi war criminals in Argentina, killing at least 26, wounding over 100.  Iraqi detained in case; German, Iranian also reported arrested.  Argentine Pres. Menem says Mossad, Spanish intelligence will help in investigation.  Israeli PM Rabin denounces attack as "cowardly, criminal and evil act," vows to "chase perpetrators of terrorism to the end."  PLO official in Argentina says "we deeply lament this attack against peace."  Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires destroyed by bomb 3/92.  (MM, NYT, WP, WT 7/19; WJW 7/21)

PLO Chmn. Arafat returns to Palestine, entering Gaza Strip at Rafah border crossing and proceeding to Gaza City.  3,000 Palestinian police detailed to provide security for 3-day visit.  Arafat addresses crowd of 30-100,000 in Gaza City's Square of the Unknown Soldier, honoring intifadah casualties, Arab states, declaring intention to expand Palestinian self-rule in West Bank.  Arafat vows to seek release of Hamas leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin.  (MM 7/1; NYT, WP, WT 7/2; JP 7/9)

WSJ reports that Bethlehem is now Muslim, and mosques in once-predominantly Christian city fr. 5 to 70 since 1970.  (WSJ 7/1)

East Jerusalem Palestinian found shot to death.  "Sword of David" group claims responsibility, citing revenge for killing of Israeli, opposition to Arafat visit.  (NYT 7/3)

JP publishes poll showing 33.8 % of Israelis oppose all settlements, 25.2 % support them.  Poll also shows 59 % support continued talks with PLO.  (MM 7/1)

Multilateral working group on economics meets in Rabat, Morocco.  5th session of group involves delegations fr. 46 countries.  (MAP 6/16 in FBIS 6/20)

Saudi Fund for Development, International Development Association sign memorandum of agreement to fund $30 m. in West Bank/Gaza Strip development projects.  Agreement is part of $67.5 m. allocated out of $100 m. Saudi grant to Palestinians.  (Saudi embassy release 6/16)

Vatican, Israel announce agreement signed 6/14 to establish full diplomatic relations, implementing 12/30/93 agreement.  Ambs. to be exchanged soon.  (MM 6/15; NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 6/16; JP 6/25)

Sens. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Richard Shelby (D-AL) set up "Middle East Peace Accord Monitoring Group" to track PLO compliance with 5/4 agreement with Israel.  (MM 6/16; Forward 6/17)

IDF troops firing on Palestinian stone-throwers in Ramallah kill Palestinian woman.  (WT 6/12; TJT 6/17)

Frayh Abu-Midyan, justice M of Palestinian National Authority, says Palestinian police in Gaza Strip have arrested 26 collaborators.  (MM 6/14; WT 6/15)

Joint Israeli-Palestinian demonstration on Ramallah-Jerusalem highway calls for Jerusalem to serve as joint capital of Israel, Palestinian state.  (CSM 6/13; TJT 6/17)

Syria postpones scheduled Amman mtg. of "Higher Syrian-Jordanian Comm." in apparent rejection of previous week's Jordan-Israel breakthrough.  (MM 6/13)

Palestinian police take over Dayr alBalah town and al-Maghazi police station in Gaza Strip. Police cmdr. Maj. Gen. Nasr Yusuf says priority of Gaza force will be disarming Palestinian civilians. 2d group of 150 officers later crosses into Gaza fr. Egypt. (MM 5/11; NYT, WP, WT 5/12)

PLO police cmndrs. tour Jericho with IDF officers to prepare for next day's initial deployrnent. IDF closes Jericho to journalists, fires rubber bullets and tear gas at demonstrating Palestinians. (NYT 5/12)

Knesset approves Gaza-Jericho agreement by vote of 52-0 after stormy debate in which 2 Likud MKs ejected fr. chamber for interrupting FM Peres. (MM 5/11; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/12)

Israeli. govt. agrees to guarantee Gaza municipality's $12 m. debt to Israel's electric company. Power authority had threatened to cut off Gaza's power. (CSM 5/11; MM, WP 5/12)

Asst. Secy of State Robert Pelletreau, in Bahrain, says U.S. has pledged $500 m. to Palestinian National Authority and is providing Palestinian police with vehicles. Later in Kuwait, reasserts U.S. opposition to Arab boycott of Israel and says he is "satisfied" with Gulf response to his efforts on boycott. (MM 5/11, 5/12)

Israeli Finance M Avraham Shohat and PLO chief economic negotiator Ahmad Qurai' sign agreement on economic relations btwn. Israel and Gaza-Jericho self-rule area in Paris. Accord provides for Palestinian central monetary authority, independent tax authority and rebate to Palestinian authority of75% of income tax levied on Palestinians working in Israel, coordination oftariffs, free movement of goods and services, free importation into Israel of Palestinian produce, establishment of Palestinian tourism authority. Agreement facilitates international assistance to Palestinian entity. (MM 4/29; NYT, WP, WT 4/30)

Israeli PM Rabin gives U.S. Secy. of State Christopher proposals for accord with Syria, reportedly including phased withdrawal fr. Golan Heights, after 2 90-minute mtgs. Senior U.S. official calls proposals "basket of ideas." (MM 4/29; NYT, WP, WT 4/30)

Israel-PLO agreement on international presence in Hebron reached in early morning' 160 observers fr. Denmark (35), Italy (35), and Norway (90) arrned with pistols "for self-defense" to deploy in city for 3 mos., report to joint Palestinian-Israeli comm. Observers lack military or police powers, but will 'promote stability" and "monitor the efforts to restore the safety of the Palestinians." PLO gives up demand for deployment of Palestinian police in Hebron in exchange. Israeli PM Rabin calls observer force "an exceptional case" in defending agreement against opposition criticism. FM Peres notes "the collective responsibility will remain always in the hands of the legal govt., and we are the legal govt." (MM, NYT 3/31; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/1)

Negotiations on Gaza-Jericho autonomy resume. IDF officials say 70% of army equipment already removed fr. Gaza. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 4/1)

300 Palestinian youths clash with Israeli police in Hebron, destroying bank facade. No injuries reported. In Gaza Strip, 1 Palestinian wounded in gun battle btwn. IDF, Palestinian guerrillas. Israeli stabbed to death in Israel, and Israeli attacked with axes 3/29 dies. (WP, WT 4/1)

10,000 settlers hold rally to mark 26th anniversary of Qiryat Arba settlement, denounce Rabin govt. Hundreds gather at tomb of Hebron attacker Baruch Goldstein, some calling him a "hero" and a "saint.' (NYT, WP, WT 4/1)

FM Peres criticizes some settlements in Gaza Strip as "totally illogical," saying Netzarim "has no agricultural importance, no economic importance, no security importance."  (MM 2/22)

15 settler families, most fr. Ariel, sign petition for Knesset assistance to help them leave o.t.  MKs Yossi Katz (Labor) and Avraham Poraz (Meretz) submit Knesset bills calling for comprehensive compensation plan for settlers leaving o.t., while Labor MKs Haggai Merom and Avraham Burg set up "hot line" for settlers who wish to leave.  (MM 2/23)

Lebanese govt. officials, responding to U.S. concerns over violence in southern Lebanon, agree to restrain actions of guerrilla groups in south.  Int. M Bishara Mirhaj says "We will not approve of any operation that undermines the responsibility of the state in south Lebanon."  (NYT 2/25)

Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics puts Israeli population at end 1993 at 5.325 m., compared to 5.196 m. in 1992.  CBS says settlements' population at 115,000 compared to 105,000 in 1992, Palestinian population in o.t. 1.9 m.  (MM 2/23)

Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu meets in Washington with VP Al Gore, Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole.  Gore expresses both personal and official Clinton admin. opposition to Palestinian state, according to Netanyahu, while Dole says Senate would oppose posting U.S. troops on Golan.  (MM 2/23)

Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan expresses "respect and appreciation" for Saudi fund-raising drive for Islamic holy places in Jerusalem.  (RJ 2/22 in FBIS 2/23)

Senate confirms Strobe Talbott as dep. secy. of state by 66-31 vote.  Opponents had charged Talbott was overly critical of Israel while a journalist for Time magazine, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ)  calling Talbott's articles "insulting, immature and incorrect," Sen. Minority Leader Robert Dole (R-KS) accusing Talbott of "clear anti-Israel bias." (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/23)