The Palestine Chronology

Israel, PA close election talks in Cairo without making any progress. (AFP, RMC 2/8 in FBIS 2/8)

U.S. Commerce Secy. Brown, executives fr. 10 American corporations meet in Taba with trade officials fr. Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the PA to discuss setting up regional council for trade, investment, assess results of Casablanca mtg., set ground work for international economic forum in Jordan in spring. Parties say they will work establish free trade btwn. themselves, form 2 economic bodies to develop their economic ties. (WT 2/8; MENA 2/8 in FBIS 2/8)

EU delegation headed by French FM Alain Juppé arrives in Damascus, meets with Pres. al-Asad to discuss EU-Syrian relations, peace process, says EU supports full Israeli withdrawal fr. Golan. (SARR 2/8 in FBIS 2/8; MM 2/9; MEI 2/17)

Reports say that over past few months Israel has brought in 12,000 Thai workers to replace Palestinian laborers in Israel, bring import of new workers fr. South East Asia, Eastern Europe to 50,000 since 3/94. (MEI 2/3, NYT 2/8; MEI 2/17)

Poll released by Strategic Studies Center, University of Jordan, shows that 72.6% of Jordanians polled favor some kind of union with Palestine. (JT 2/8 in FBIS 2/10)

PA says it has arrested more than 100 DFLP mbrs. since 2/6 incident. (QY 2/8 in FBIS 2/8; WP 2/10)

Heads of state of 12 EC countries end 2-day summit in Dublin, issue statement on Middle East opposing Israeli settlement policy, calling for international conference, and for strengthening trade links with O.T. [TDS 6/27 in FBIS 6/28; MEM 6/28].

Jean-Claude Amrie meets with 5 Palestinian academicians, is presented with 12- point memorandum outlining situation in O.T. [RMC 6/26 in FBIS 6/27].

Internal IDF paper recommends that chief of staff and defense establishment change criteria for reporting incidents in O.T. so that daily occurrences are more accurately portrayed [HAA 6/26 in FBIS 6/26].

Egypt's F.M. Esmat Abdel Meguid meets with Pres. Bush in Washington, no "breakthroughs" on peace process are reported, but U.S. interest in reviving process is affirmed [WP 6/28].

Bethlehem Mayor Elias Frayj meets with D.M. Moshe Arens to discuss situation in O.T. [JAA 6/26 in FBIS 6/28].

F.M. David Levy rejects Sec. Baker's formula for Israeli-Palestinian negotiation, echoes Shamir in saying talks cannot include deportees or E. Jerusalem residents [JPD 6/27 in FBIS 6/27].

B'Tselem issues report "Violence against Minors in Police Detention," which claims teenagers interrogated by police and Shin Bet agents are routinely beaten, chained in awkward positions or in "punishment cells" for hours at a time [JPD 6/26 in FBIS 6/27].

Syria rejects invitation from P.M. Shamir for Pres. Asad to go to Jerusalem for peace talks, calls the offer "a trick" [NYT 6/27].

Poland becomes 3d Warsaw Pact nation to renew full diplomatic ties with Israel, ending 23-year break [NYT 2/28].

D.M. Rabin says Israel is asking U.S. for compensation for U.S. supplying Egypt with surplus M-60 tanks [JDS 2/27 in FBIS 2/28].

Radan Abu-'Ayyash, head of E. Jerusalem Journalists Association, tells reporters that "according to new PLO strategy, the Palestinian right of return will be confined to the borders of the Palestinian state - the West Bank and Gaza Strip" [HAM 2/27 in FBIS 2/28].

PFLP in Damascus announces use of arms in O.T. has now become necessary [RMC 2/27 in FBIS 2/28].

Israeli military extends by 3 months closure order for 7 O.T. universities, now closed until end of May [WP 2/28; JDS 2/ 27 in FBIS 2/28; MET 3/13-19]; prompts student sit-ins throughout O.T. [NYT 2/ 28; HAA 2/28 in FBIS 3/1].

In a speech in Lusaka, Zambia, Nelson Mandela says that Yasir Arafat, who is in attendance, is fighting "a unique form of colonialism and we wish him success in his struggle" [NYT, LAT 2/28].