The Palestine Chronology

U.S. envoy Ross makes unexpected return trip to Damascus to meet with FM al-Shara`, unsuccessfully tries to set date and agenda of next round of Syrian-Israeli military talks. (MM 7/13; MBC, SARR 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; MM 7/14)

PA charge d'affaires to Jordan `Umar al-Khatib announces Israel, PA have agreed that "PA nationals" abroad, whose travel permits were valid when they left but have expired, may return to the PA areas at any time without having to renew the permits, no matter how long they were abroad. (al-Ra'y 7/13 in FBIS 7/13)

Delegates fr. Egypt, the EU, Israel, Jordan, the PA hold land transport infrastructure working group mtg. in Amman; discuss need for regional highway system, construction of bridges in Jordan. (JTV 7/13 in FBIS 7/18)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. and frmr. top negotiator Mahmud Abbas meets with Arafat in Gaza to discuss the Palestinian stand on negotiations with Israel. (VOP 7/13 in FBIS 7/13)

Heads of 4 leading U.S. rabbinical movements present Congress mbrs. with signatures of 600 U.S. rabbis supporting continued aid to the PLO. (MM 7/14)

Israeli Civil Administration appoints Lt. Col. Barukh Nagar, convicted several yrs ago of attacking 2 Palestinians, as governor of Hebron. (QY 7/13 in FBIS 7/14)

PM Rabin says hill nr. Efrat occupied by settlers 7/12 has been zoned for settlement for more than a yr., says he will approve requests that mobile homes be set up at the site. (QY 7/13 in FBIS 7/14)

Hamas-PFLP coalition wins al-Najah student elections by vote of 43-28, marking 1st time in 14 yrs. that Fatah has lost the election. (PR 7/28)

Jordanian FMin. says FM Kabariti has held several mtgs. with the Kuwaiti charge d'affaires in Amman, numerous Jordanian officials have met with their Kuwaiti counterparts in an attempt to normalize relations, which soured during the Gulf War. (al-Dustur 7/13 in FBIS 7/14)

Israel, PA reach tentative accord on transfer of West Bank agriculture, labor, local administration spheres; agree to table water issues for now. (CSM 7/13)

Israel, PA scrap idea of moving talks fr. Egypt to Italy because of Egypt's protests, Arafat's strong preference to keep negotiations in the region; say talks will resume in Egypt or Israel 7/14. PA Economic M Qurai` thanks Italy for hosting "three sessions of negotiations [that] have taken place in Italy in recent days, far from the media"--leading to speculation secret talks are being held. (QY 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; AFP, VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/13; AFP 7/13 in FBIS 7/17; al-Majd 7/17 in FBIS 7/18) (see 7/10, 7/11)

In Damascus, U.S. envoy Ross holds follow-up mtg. with Syrian FM al-Shara`; returns to Israel, briefs PM Rabin; meets with Arafat in Gaza, assures him U.S. attaches importance to the conclusion of an agmt. on the next stage of self rule. (SARR 7/12, QY 7/13 in FBIS 7/13; al-Hayat 7/14 in FBIS 7/17)

Arafat meets with Russian charge d'affaires on Russia's decision to open a liaison mission to the PA; briefs Turkish consul general on current status of talks with Israel. (VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

PA Local Government M Saeb Erakat meets with EU rep. Thomas Dupla about EU supervision of elections; briefs U.S. Consul Gen. Abington on latest events in the peace process. (VOP 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

15 prominent Orthodox rabbis call on IDF soldiers to disobey any orders to redeploy, remove army bases fr. the West Bank. PM Rabin says appeal is a call for "anarchy," asks atty. gen. to see whether rabbis should be prosecuted. (MM 7/12; QY 7/12 in FBIS 7/13; MM, NYT, WP 7/13; CSM, WT 7/14; CSM 7/17; WJW 7/20; MEI 7/21; JP 7/22)

Shin Bet tells PM Rabin that Hamas has shown no signs of trying to carry out attacks for 3 wks, they suspect the slowdown is a product of Hamas aspirations to take part in elections. (IDF Radio 7/12 in FBIS 7/14)

In keeping with call by settler leaders 7/10, 100s of settlers block West Bank highway, try to move trailers into Hazayit hill to expand Efrat settlement; 42 are arrested by IDF. (MM 7/12; QY 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; NYT 7/13; JP 7/22)

In Damascus, Egyptian FM Musa meets with Syrian FM al-Shara`, transmits message fr. Pres. Mubarak to Pres. al-Asad on bilateral coordination, consultation on peace process, regional issues. (SARR 5/2 in  FBIS 5/2; RE 3/2 in FBIS 3/3)

In Gaza, Arafat meets with EU delegation, U.S. Consul Gen. Edward Abington to discuss outcomes of Paris donor's mtg. 4/27-28. (VOP 5/3 in FBIS 5/4)

PA invites Canada, EC, Egypt, Japan, Jordan, Norway, Russia to participate in 1,000-mbr. elections observer force. Arafat opens Palestine Central Elections Comm. headquarters in Gaza. (ITV 3/2 in FBIS 3/3; JP 5/13)

PA says direct phone line btwn. Arafat, Rabin has been set up so they can make rapid decision as problems arise, esp. concerning IDF, police, border issues. (YA 5/3 in FBIS 5/4)

U.S. Amb. to the UN Albright meets with Israeli PM Rabin, FM Peres, PA Local Government M Erakat, PA Information M `Abid Rabbu; discusses settlements, new U.S. trade ban on Iran, terrorism. Rabin gives support for U.S. dual containment policy; heads to Jordan for mtg. on peace process with Crown Prince Hassan. (WT 5/2; JP, QY 5/2 in FBIS 5/2; JTV, RJ, VOP 5/2 in FBIS 5/3; MM 5/3)

PA military court gives 1st death sentence to Palestinian police officer for killing 2d officer, gives him 14 days to appeal. (ITV 3/2 in FBIS 3/3; NYT 5/3; WT 5/15) (see 4/24)

Masked Israeli border policemen raid Makassed hospital in East Jerusalem in search of "Palestinian activists"; prevent ambulance workers fr. admitting patients. (WT 5/3)

Israel closes o.t. for 4 days, over Remembrance Day holiday. (QY 4/30 in FBIS 5/1)

FM Peres, Arafat hold positive mtg. at Erez; agree to open safe passages immediately, halt land confiscation and financing expansion of existing settlements, speed process at border crossings, increase number of Palestinian workers in Israel to 21,000, discuss releasing prisoners, hold regular mtgs. to exchange security information; announce agmt. to try to reach consensus on elections, Israeli withdrawal by 7/1. (MM 3/9; VOP 3/9 in FBIS 3/9; QY, VOP 3/9, VOP 3/10 in FBIS 3/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/10; VOP 3/10 in FBIS 3/13; WJW 3/16; MEI 3/17; JP 3/18; WT 3/19)

Secy. of State Christopher holds friendly mtg. with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo but fails to reach compromise on NPT issue, then heads to Israel, meets with PM Rabin, FM Peres to discuss Syrian track. Rabin gives Christopher "serious proposal" to hand Syrian Pres. al-Asad, reportedly offering to withdraw fr. all of Golan in stages if Syria begins normalizing relations. Rabin also blames Syria, Egypt for urging Gulf states to slow normalization. Christopher then meets with Likud leader Netanyahu to asses opposition's stance. (MM 3/9; MENA 3/9 in FBIS 3/9; IDF Radio, ITV 3/9, QY 3/10 in FBIS 3/10; FT, MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/10; ITV, QY 3/10, HA, RMC 3/12 in FBIS 3/13; MA 3/12 in FBIS 3/14; HA 3/15 in FBIS 3/15; JP 3/18; MEI 3/31; NYT 4/1; MEI 4/14)

Task Force for Economic Development in the Middle East meets in Washington. U.S. presents proposal for regional bank with $5 b. base capital to do project lending only. EU gives counterproposal for "financial intermediation organization" without its own capital base to put together private sector deals, financing. 30 countries, organizations attend, incl. Egypt, Jordan, PA, Saudi Arabia, excl. Lebanon, Syria. (MM 3/10, 4/27)

FM Peres says Israel has lifted its naval blockade on s. Lebanon in honor of Secy. of State Christopher's visit, as a good will gesture. (HA, RL 3/10 in FBIS 3/10; VOL 3/10 in FBIS 3/13; NYT, WP 3/11; MEI 3/17; MEI 3/31)

PM Rabin, King Hussein meet in Aqaba, discuss difficulties on Syrian track. Rabin tells king he asked Secy. of State Christopher to forgive Jordan's debt. (JTV 3/9, QY, RJ 3/10 in FBIS 3/10; MM 3/10)

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)

2 explosions at bus stop at Beyt Lid junction, Israel, kill 19, wound 65. 2 more later die of wounds, leaving 21 Israelis dead. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility as retribution for murder of Hani Abed 11/2, settlement construction. For 1st time, Israeli Pres. Weizman calls for government to stop talks. Arafat denounces attack. (AFP, IDF Radio, ITV, QPAR, QY, RMC, VOP 1/22, HA, QY 1/23 in FBIS 1/23; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/23; ITV, QPAR, VOP 1/23 in FBIS 1/24; SARR, VOP 1/23 in FBIS 1/25; WJW 1/26; JP 1/28; WJW 2/2; MEI 2/3; WP 2/5)

PM Rabin calls emergency cabinet mtg. to discuss explosions at Beyt Lid; delays release of Palestinian prisoners, opening of safe passage btwn. Gaza, Jericho; announces Palestinians will be barred fr. entering Israel for "a number of days"; reiterates idea of national separation (see 10/19). (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/23; ITV 1/22, QY, VOP 1/23 in FBIS 1/23; MM 1/23; CSM 1/24)

U.S. Secy. of State Christopher calls Syrian FM al-Shara`, demands Syria stop providing safe haven to "terrorists," esp. Islamic Jihad leader Fathi Shiqaqi. Shiqaqi issues statement "reminding" U.S. he is in Syria only because Israel deported him. (MM 1/23; NYT, WT 1/24)

PA, Egypt, Jordan hold mtg. in Cairo to coordinate stance on 1967 refugees, discuss definition of "refugee" and requirements for right of return in preparation for negotiations with Israel. (MENA 1/22 in FBIS 1/24)

Multilateral talks steering comm. opens 2-day session in Cairo to discuss accomplishments of 5 working groups. Delegations fr. Egypt, Jordan, PA, Israel, Norway, Saudi Arabia, Canada, Japan, EU, U.S., Russia attend. (MENA 1/22, 1/23 in FBIS 1/23; RE 1/23 in FBIS 1/24)

PA Economics M Qurai` leads PA delegation to Amman for talks on bilateral relation with Jordanians in advance of Arafat visit 1/25. (JTV, RJ 1/22 in FBIS 1/23)

PM Rabin holds cabinet mtg. on settlement issue; creates comm. of 6 cabinet Ms, headed by him, to approve all housing plans for o.t., incl. privately financed construction. Building will be suspended until comm. meets later in wk. (IGPO, ITV 1/22 in FBIS 1/23; NYT 1/23; JP 1/28)

Israeli Dep. FM Beilin meets with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak in Cairo to discuss bilateral relations and NPT. (MENA 1/22 in FBIS 1/23; MM 1/23; WT 1/25)

Hizballah's political chief Shaykh Hassan Nasrallah states for 1st time that all 6 Israeli MIAs are dead. Israel asserts air force navigator Ron Arad is still alive. (RL 1/23 in FBIS 1/25; WT 1/24)

Officials fr. 39 countries, financial institutions meet at State Dept. in Washington to discuss Middle East regional finance. Israel, Egypt, Jordan, PA agree to work toward setting up regional bank despite EU, Saudi Arabian opposition at Casablanca conference 11/94. U.S. promises to lobby internationally for support for project. (NYT 1/12; JT 1/14 in FBIS 1/18)

Oman informs Israel it will delay establishment of diplomatic relations, apparently as a result of Alexandria summit 12/29. Israeli Dep. FM Beilin dismisses declaration as insignificant. (QY 1/11 in FBIS 1/12; MM 1/12; QY 1/17 in FBIS 1/17; MM 2/6)

Arafat meets with Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood officials, asks them to mediate btwn. PLO, Hamas. (AFP 1/11 in FBIS 1/12; Al-Sha`b 1/13 in FBIS 1/24; PR 1/15; Al-Musawwar 1/20 in FBIS 1/24)

UNRWA announces the following donations: $3.3 m. fr. Denmark for training centers in West Bank; $3.8 m. fr. Denmark for Gaza Hospital; $2.3 m. fr. Netherlands, $1.5 m. fr. Kuwait, $50,000 fr. Brazil, $40,000 fr. Portugal, $25,000 fr. Indonesia for UNRWA operations; $700,000 fr. Germany, $685,000 fr. Switzerland for education. (UNRWA News 1/11)

2 IDF soldiers lightly wounded when bomb explodes nr. their patrol at Kissufim crossing, Gaza. (MM 1/11)

Hizballah attacks IDF patrol in southern Lebanon. IDF, SLA respond, using planes, tanks, artillery. 4 Hizballah mbrs. killed; 2 IDF, 1 SLA soldiers, 3 civilians wounded. (IDF Radio 1/11 in FBIS 1/12; WP, WT 1/12)