White House formally announces sale of 24 jet fighters, 150 tanks, other hardware worth $2.2 billion to Saudi Arabia; sale causes concern among pro-Israel lobby and its congressional allies [MEM 8...
In California, Pres. Bush states "My position is that the foreign policy of the United Statesays we do not believe there should be new settlements in the West Bank or in East Jerusalem" [WP 3/6...
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Separate leaflets distributed in the O.T. by Hamas and UNLU (Call number 52) call for attacks on Jewish settlers, saying the influx of...
Occupied Palestine/Israel: With Soviet Jewish immigrants arriving in Israel at rate of more than 1,000 per week, Israeli officials acknowledge they do not have...
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Trial of Hamas leader Shaykh Ahamd Yasseen opens amid tight security in Gaza. Yasseen is accused of ordering deaths of suspected...
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White House formally announces sale of 24 jet fighters, 150 tanks, other hardware worth $2.2 billion to Saudi Arabia; sale causes concern among pro-Israel lobby and its congressional allies [MEM 8/29; LAT, CSM 8/30; WT 8/31; MET 9/11].
On tour of Gulf states, British defense secretary Tom King says he's sending 4 additional warships - 3 mine-hunters and 1 destroyer - to the Gulf [LAT 8/30].
U.S. C-5 military transport aircraft carrying supplies to Gulf troops crashes shortly after takeoff in W. Germany, killing 12 soldiers [MEM 8/29; NYT, LAT, WT, CSM, WP 8/30].
10 of 13 OPEC nations, meeting in Vienna, endorse temporary production increase to make up for supplies lost because of Gulf crisis; Iran opposes agreement, Libya and Iraq are absent [AFP 8/29 in FBIS 8/29; NYT, WP 8/30; CSM 8/31].
21-member World Islamic Council denounces Saudi Arabia for inviting "anti-Islamic U.S. troops" into Middle East [INRA 8/29 in FBIS 8/30].
Speech read on behalf of Yasir Arafat to meeting of UN nongovernmental organizations in Geneva says PLO does not take sides in Gulf crisis, links Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait to other "occupied" lands-Lebanon, Golan, and Palestine [AVP 8/29 in FBIS 8/30].
Qatar has expelled 20 PLO officials since beginning of Gulf crisis, according to Yasir Abd Rabbo [AFP 8/29 in FBIS 8/30]; Abd Rabbo also states that breaking the economic blockade against Iraq is an Arab responsibility [RAY 8/30 in FBIS 8/31].
Hamas distributes leaflet in O.T. calling for Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait and Kuwaiti self-determination; UNLU also issues leaflet continuing its demand for withdrawal of foreign troops from Saudi Arabia and calls for strike on 9/26 "in solidarity with the Iraqi people" [JPD 8/30 in FBIS 8/30].
Japan unveils aid package to help finance international effort against Iraq, but package draws criticism from U.S. because of absence of tangible aid to military buildup. Japanese program offers loans to Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan; sending 100 doctors, refrigeration equipment, and water to region (cf. 8/31) [MEM 8/29; NYT, WT 8/30].
Bethlehem Mayor Elias Freij says he supports UN formula for unconditional Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait, believing it to be the only way to head off a new disaster for Palestinians [WP 8/301.
In California, Pres. Bush states "My position is that the foreign policy of the United Statesays we do not believe there should be new settlements in the West Bank or in East Jerusalem" [WP 3/6].
Shamir discusses Mideast peace process with Likud ministers amid reports he has decided to support U.S.-backed plan to convene Israeli-Palestinian talks in Cairo [WP 3/4].
Israel is requesting more than $1 billion in loans, gifts, and donations from American Jews and U.S. gov't. to help pay for resettling Soviet Jews [NYT 3/3].
Hamas has sent letter to Chrmn. Arafat and PLO leadership, stating Palestinian state is objective of intifada; Hamas also urged PLO to discontinue contacts with U.S. [BAY 3/3 in FBIS 3/5].
King Hussein spends day in Iraq holding talks with Pres. Saddam Hussein [ADS, ATS 3/3 in FBIS 3/5].
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Separate leaflets distributed in the O.T. by Hamas and UNLU (Call number 52) call for attacks on Jewish settlers, saying the influx of Soviet Jews endangers the survival of the Palestinian people [WP 2/15; FBIS 2/16].
Other Countries: West German cabinet committee approves sale of anti-missile system to Saudi Arabia and 2 submarines to Israel [NYT 2/16].
Military Action
Arab World: IDF, SLA forces shoot, kill 1 unidentified fighter, capture 3 others in the "security zone" in S. Lebanon [FBIS 2/15].
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Elections to the Engineering Association in Gaza are held, Hamas wins 5 of 9 seats, pro-PLO bloc wins 3. [FBIS 2/1].
Arab World: Arafat arrives in Cairo for third meeting this month with Pres. Mubarak [FBIS 1/29; MET 2/6].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli tax collectors seize 150 automobiles in al-Zawiyeh village, near Nablus, in attempt to force Palestinian owners to pay taxes [FJ 2/5].
Al-Fajr reports that Jewish settlers set fire to a Burin village mosque [FJ 2/5].
At least 6 Palestinians in O.T. are shot, injured in clashes with IDF [FJ 2/5].
Arab World: Israeli patrol in S. Lebanon is ambushed, DFLP claims responsibility, says its fighters killed 6 Israelis; Israel says no one was injured, and that the attackers fled when fired upon [MET 2/6; FBIS 1/ 26].
Social/Economic/Political
Arab World: PLO Executive Committee meets in Tunis [FBIS 1/29].
In a press interview, Yasir Arafat says that PLO cadres and Palestinian masses are increasingly pressuring PLO leaders to resort to the use of weapons in the O.T., but that orders remain not to use weapons [FBIS 1/26].
Other Countries: European Parliament recommends that the 12-nation EC suspend scientific cooperation with Israel until it opens Palestinian universities in the O.T; recommendation remains unbinding until accepted by EC's ministerial committee UP 1/27; FJ 1/29].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: General strike, called by Hamas, is observed in O.T. to protest the flow of Soviet Jews to Israel [NYT 1/28; FJ 2/5; MET 2/6].
IDF exchanges fire with unidentified person across Jordanian border near Kibbutz Neve Ur [FBIS 1/26; MET 2/6].
Arab World: Israeli fighter jets bomb Fateh Revolutionary Council base in Lebba, Lebanon. 5 people are wounded [FBIS 1/25; NYT 1/26; MET 2/6].
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: With Soviet Jewish immigrants arriving in Israel at rate of more than 1,000 per week, Israeli officials acknowledge they do not have plan to handie the immigration, and new housing construction is months away [NYT 1/18].
Israeli political and military leaders react with alarm to Senator Robert Dole's suggestion that some U.S. aid to Israel be reapportioned to E. Europe [WP, LAT 1/ 18].
Arab World: In 2 interviews, Arafat expresses frustration over slowness of peace process. Arafat says to Cairo weekly Al Mussawar if peace efforts stop he will "immediately announce [his] resignation." Speaking in Baghdad, Arafat accuses Arabs of "impotence" vis-a-vis Israel, decries Arabs more concerned with events in Lebanon than in O.T., and criticizes Shamir's plan to resettle Soviet Jews in W. Bank [NYT 1/18].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli police announce that it has removed police officer from his post for "committing brutalities" during the 12/30 Peace Now rally in Jerusalem [FJ 1/29].
General strike called for by UNLU is observed in O.T. Leaflet attributed to Hamas sharply attacks Arafat for his willingness to recognize Israel [FBIS 1/171.
At least 2 Palestinians are wounded in clashes with IDF troops in O.T. [FBIS 1/ 18].
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Trial of Hamas leader Shaykh Ahamd Yasseen opens amid tight security in Gaza. Yasseen is accused of ordering deaths of suspected collaborators [MET 1/16].
Science Minister Ezer Weizman leaves for USSR on official visit [MET 1/26].
Military Action
Arab World: Beirut Domestic Service reports heavy Israeli troop movement in S. Lebanon [FBIS 1/3].
