The Palestine Chronology

In Luxembourg, EU FMs call for full, rapid implementation of trade cooperation agmt. with the PA, support European Commission's efforts to ensure that exports fr. Israeli settlements do not enter the EU with "Made in Israel" labels. (MEI 7/3) (see 5/20)

In Jerusalem, PM Netanyahu attends fundraiser for Ateret Cohanim settler group, expresses solidarity with settlers in East Jerusalem. Ateret Cohanim says that it will use the proceeds fr. the $200-a-plate dinner to take over more East Jerusalem properties. (MM 6/30; IDF Radio 6/30 in WNC 7/1; ITV 6/30 in WNC 7/2)

Israeli pres. Ezer Weizman says that since PM Netanyahu has dropped idea of holding national referendum on FRD (see 6/25), the only solution to the stalemated peace process is to call new elections; says that he will no longer perform missions on behalf of the PM. Netanyahu says he will not call elections, accuses Weizman of politicizing the traditionally ceremonial office of the president. (MM 6/29; IDF Radio, ITV 6/29 in WNC 6/30; CSM, NYT, WT 6/30; ITV 6/30 in WNC 7/2; JP 7/4)

Israeli FMin. legal adviser Alan Baker presents legal opinion that concludes that upgrading the PLO's status at the UN to that of a "superobserver" would not constitute a violation of the Oslo agmts. (MM 6/29; MA 6/29 in WNC 6/30)

Jordanian Planning M Rima Khalaf arrives in Kuwait for talks on improving bilateral relations. She is the 1st Jordanian minister to visit Kuwait since the Gulf War. (al-Dustur 6/28 in WNC 6/30; Petra-JNA 6/29, JT, SA 6/30 in WNC 7/1; JT 7/1 in WNC 7/2)

Hizballah, SLA clash in s. Lebanon, leaving 2 SLA mbrs. dead. In a separate incident in s. Lebanon, 2 civilians are injured by Israeli shelling. (RL 6/29 in WNC 6/30; RL 6/30 in WNC 7/1)

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)

Israeli, PLO negotiators open talks in Cairo on "early empowerment" of Palestinians in West Bank, expansion of self-rule area, redeploying IDF, elections.  Israeli side headed by IDF Maj. Gen Danny Rothschild, PLO by PNA Planning M Nabil Shaath.  Separate talks on settling issues remaining fr. 5/4 agreement, including borders of Jericho area, resume.  (MENA 7/11, 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/12)

IDF kills 2 Hamas mbrs. in Nablus after firing anti-tank missles at house they were hiding in.  The 2 had been wanted for a year.  Several buildings in area destroyed.  (Qol Yisra'el 7/11 in FBIS 7/12; MM 7/12; TJT 7/15; JP 7/23)

Qiryat Arba settlers vacate Hebron apartments occupied 7/8 in compromise with Housing M.  (MM 7/12)

PLO Chmn. Arafat departs Tunis for Cairo on way to take up permanent residence in Gaza Strip.  Arafat meets Israeli Dep. FM Beilin to discuss early empowerment of Palestinians in o.t. before his departure.  (Qol Yisra'el 7/11 in FBIS 7/12; NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/12)

Israeli PM Rabin accepts King Hussein's offer for a public summit mtg.  (MM 7/11; WP, WSJ, WT 7/12)

Israeli FM Peres announces he will meet Secy of State Christopher, Jordanian PM and FM `Abd al-Salam al-Majali in Jordan 7/20 in 1st public visit of an Israeli official to Jordan.  Israeli-Jordanian bilateral talks to resume 7/18 at Ein Evrona, southern Israel.  Jordanian spokesman says emphasis in talks will be on border, water issues.  (MM 7/11; MM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/12)

Jordan receives over $900,000 fr. UN for claims by Jordanian families for losses in 1990-91 Gulf war.  (WSJ 7/12)

IAF raids Hizballah positions in Biqa` Valley.  (Qol Yisra'el 7/11 in FBIS 7/11)

Talks in Washington btwn. Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestinians resume in undisclosed locations, 1st since 9/93. Israeli official says Israeli-Syrian session, btwn. delegation heads Itamar Rabinovich and Muwafaq al-Allaf, held in "good and positive atmosphere." (CSM, WT 1/24; NYT, WP 1/25)

PLO-Israel negotiations in Taba, Egypt resume with mtg. of Civilian Affairs Comm. Security Affairs Comm. postpones session pending next Arafat-Peres mtg. (MENA 1/24 in FBIS 1/24, 1/25)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets in Riyadh with Saudi King Fahd, DM Prince Sultan, and Gov. of Riyadh Prince Salman. Aide to Arafat characterizes mtg., 1st since Gulf war, as "friendly and warm." Saudis pledge assistance to Palestinian "institutions and infrastructure" according to PLO official Ahmad Qurai'. (CSM, WP, WT 1/25)

King Hussein of Jordan holds 1st public mtg. with 30 American Jewish leaders in Washington, expresses desire for "warm peace" with Israel. (NYT, WP, WT 1/25)

Reuter reports Israeli businessmen have invested $5 m. in experimental farm at al-Jadida, Morocco, and are supplying irrigation equipment to farms in Hawz area nr. Marrakesh. (MM 1/24)

Secy. of State Christopher eulogizes Norwegian FM Johan Jorgen Holst at funeral in Oslo, meets separately with Israeli FM Peres, PLO Chmn. Arafat, urges them to reconcile differences. Peres and Arafat meet twice, report progress, Peres saying "there is a chance we can reach an agreement," Arafat that "we have overcome some bridges." Peres and Arafat agree to meet again 1/30 in Davos, Switzerland, to discuss security issues of Gaza-Jericho autonomous regions. (NYT, WP, WT 1/23; CSM 1/24)

PLO official Hakam Balawi announces PLO Chmn. Arafat will meet Saudi King Fahd after making 'umra pilgrimage to Mecca and Medina in 1st visit by Arafat to kingdom since Gulf war. (WP 1/23)

Secy. of Commerce Ron Brown meets 26 Palestinian businessmen in Gaza City. 1st U.S. cabinet mbr. to visit Gaza Strip says "the economic situation in Gaza is unacceptable, and we should work to improve it." (WT 1/23)

100,000 Syrians attend funeral in Qurdaha, Syria, of Basil al-Asad, killed in car crash 1/21. Syrians in occupied Golan Heights observe 24 hours of mourning. U.S. represented at funeral by amb. Christopher Ross. (WP 1/23; CSM 1/24)

600 students at Gaza's al-Azhar university march to PLO office in Gaza City to protest intra-Palestinian violence. (WT 1/26)

Nayif Hawatmah of DFLP, George Habash of PFLP meet in Tripoli with Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi. Libya and Iraq are only Arab states to explicitly oppose PLO-Israel agreement. (NYT 9/16, 9/17)

U.S. Pres. Clinton, in telephone conversation with Jordan's King Hussein, discloses U.S. will release $30 m. in aid to Amman frozen due to Jordan's position in 1990-91 Gulf crisis. Release is due to signing of Jordan-Israel common agenda. Clinton also calls Syrian Pres. al-Asad, urges him to rein in Damascus-based Palestinian factions opposed to PLO-Israel agreement. (NYT 9/16; CSM, NYT 9/17; NYT 9/18)

U.S. joins with Russia, Egypt, and Israel to eliminate, revise, or defer 32 UNGA resolutions critical of Israel. Resolutions to be changed or discarded include those establishing Comm. on Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, criticizing Israeli human rights practices, examining Israeli-South African relations, and calling on Israel to renounce nuclear weapons. (NYT 9/16)

FMs of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and the PLO end 6 days of meetings in Damascus, agree to resume talks 4/27, a 1-week delay (see 4/17). Haydar 'Abd al-Shafis "surprised" by the PLO decision to resume. (SARR 4/21 in FBIS 4/21; JTV 4/21 in FBIS 4/22; MM 4/21; NYT, WP 4/22)

Israel announces it has "no plans" to deport Palestinians, while reserving the right to do so, allows East Jerusalemite Faisal Husseini to head Palestinian delegation. (NYT, WP 4/22)

Palestinian Peoples' Party mbr. and delegate Ghassan al-Khatib announces he and fellow PPP mbr. Samir Abdallah will boycott the next round of talks. (RMC 4/21 in FBIS 4/22; WT 4/22)

At news conf., Secy. of State Christopher calls Palestinian decision to resume talks "courageous"; through negotiations, Palestinians 'can see occupation give way to selfgovernment." (MM, NYT, WP 4/22)

Fateh issues warning against attacks on Palestinian negotiators. (Jordan Times 4/24 in FBIS 4/26)

Hamas spokesman Ibrahim Ghawshah rules out violence against Palestinian negotiators, calls resumption of talks a "cheap sellout," the PLO's "biggest historic mistake" which will have to be corrected because of popular opposition; because of its stand, Hamas is gaining popularity in o.t. (MM 4/21; Jordan Times 4/24 in FBIS 4/26)

IDF shoots 2 Palestinians dead, wounds over 50 in Gaza Strip in worst clashes since o.t. were sealed 3/31. (MM 4/21; WP 4/22; Qol Yisra'el 4/21, 4/22 in FBIS 4/22)

Arab Monetary Fund reports Arab states lost $676 billion during Gulf crisis and war. (MM 4/21)

U.S. State Dept. sends letter to Intl. Steering Comm. on Freedom of Trade with Israel stating that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have pledged to lift their boycott of companies doing business with Israel. (MM 4/30; WT 5/5)

IDF rains over 100 shells on villages north of "security zone" as resistance fighters launch over 50 rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon. (MM 4/21, 4/22; Qol Yisra'el 4/21, 4/22 in FBIS 4/22)

Pres. Asad meets with Chmn. Arafat, PLO officials, and delegation mbrs. in Latakiafirst Asad-Arafat meeting in over a year. PLO group then travels to Amman. (WP, WT 4/20; RJN, SARR 4/20 in FBIS 4/20)

Peace Now calls on PM Rabin to seize the moment for peace, presents 10 principles. (MM 4/19)

Ten Palestinian rejectionist factions issue statement condemning current diplomacy seeking to resume peace talks. (QPAR 4/19 in FBIS 4/20)

Palestinian dentist, an UNRWA and Red Crescent official, is assassinated in Sidon, Lebanon. Fateh blames FRC, Mossad. Two FRC mbrs. are found dead in Sidon. (RFL 4/19 in FBIS 4/20; Voice of the PLO [Baghdad] 4/20 in FBIS 4/21)

Saudi FM Prince Saud Faisal calls on Gulf states to release funds to PLO, including the 5% "PLO tax" on Palestinian workers halted after the Gulf war. King Fahd pledges a contribution to the Jerusalem Fund. (MM 4/20; WT 4/20; SPA 4/19 in FBIS 4/20)

IDF undercover units shoot 1 Palestinian dead in West Bank, 1 in Gaza Strip. (MM 4/20)

Speaking in Germany, FM Peres says Israel will stop deportations if Palestinians renounce and halt violence. (Qol Yisra'el 3/11 in FBIS 3/12)

Jordanian paper reports that Fateh Cent. Comm. mbr. Nasr Yusuf recently presented Syria with 111-page memo from PLO leadership seeking to restore Syrian-PLO relations. (al-Dustur 3/11 in FBIS 3/11)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Syrian FM al-Shara' in Cairo, accepts message from Pres. Asad. Shara' and Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa then draft and send Egyptian-Syrian memo of joint proposals to Secy. of State Christopher. Shara' approves of phased Israeli withdrawal from the Golan over 7 years. (MENA 3/11 in FBIS 3/11; al-Ahram, RMC 3/13 in FBIS 3/15)

Angering the Kuwaiti govt., opposition-affiliated Kuwaiti Assn. for the Defense of War Victims has enlisted PLO help to account for 600 persons missing since the Gulf war. (MM 3/11)

Israeli for. min. announces Kyrgyzstan will not open an embassy in Jerusalem (as was announced 1/20/93), or anywhere in Israel, for the time being. Ministry blames the diplomatic muddle on Israel's amb. to Kazakhstan, a Labor political appointee. (Qol Yisra'el 3/11 in FBIS 3/12)

PLO Exec. Comm. ends 4-day meeting, issues statement. (Algiers VOP 3/6 in FBIS 3/8)

Expressing his "joy" over PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud 'Abbas' visit to Saudi Arabia 1/9-11 (when he "apologized" for PLO stance during Gulf war), Chmn. Arafat says "we view this event with great satisfaction because it was a Palestinian decision" in interview with al-Hayat. (MENA 3/6 in FBIS 3/8)

Israeli embassy officials in London reveal U.S. is encouraging U.K. to upgrade its PLO contacts, reportedly so that U.S. can receive reliable info. on the PLO from friendly sources (see 3/7-9). (HaAretz 3/7 in FBIS 3/8)

Israel charges UNRWA official with failing to alert IDF soldiers after seeing an Israeli stoned and shot to death in the Gaza Strip 3/2. UNRWA denies the charge. (Qol Yisra'el 3/6 in FBIS 3/8; NYT 3/8)

IDF helicopters attack PFLP-GC marine base, striking also refugee camps, in 'Ayn al-Hilwa, Lebanon, wounding 4. Fatah official is shot dead in 'Ayn al-Hilwa. (IDF Radio, QPAR 3/6 in FBIS 3/8; NYT 3/7)

U.S. State Dept. issues statement describing Iran as the world's "most dangerous state sponsor of terrorism." (NYT 3/7)

PLO and the deportees reject Israeli "100" offer. (MM 2/2; WT 2/3)

Chmn. Arafat meets with Pres. Saddam Hussein in Baghdad, second such visit since the Gulf war. (Baghdad INA, Algiers VOP 2/2 in FBIS 2/3)

Amnesty International "deplores" the 12/17 deportations, calls on Israel to repatriate all of them. (MM 2/2)

Hamas rep. in Jordan condemns U.S. for labelling the org. as terrorist, stating that Hamas is an Islamic national liberation group, whose aims and methods are sanctioned under intl. law. (WT 2/3)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) arrives in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to attend acelebration at the Palestinian embassy 1/11, the first official visit to Saudi Arabia by a PLO official since the Gulf crisis. Abbas says he hopes to start restoring ties between the PLO and the Gulf. (al-Hayat 1/10 in MM 1/11)

UN special envoy Chinmaya Gharekhan meets with Palestinian reps., headed by Faisal Husseini, in East Jerusalem. (Qol Yisra'el 1/9 in FBIS 1/11)

Israeli amb. to the U.S. Zalman Shoval says State Dept. assured him that "in no case" will U.S. allow the UNSC to pass a res. leading to sanctions against Israel for theirefusal to implement res. 799. (NYT 1/10; MM 1/11)

Red Cross reps. visit deportees. Two deported Palestinians are evacuated; 1 for health problems, the other, a 16-year-old who was deported by mistake. Lebanon allows the 1-time airlift from UNIFIL-controlled territory, but says 9 deportees allowed to return must go back the way they came (see 12/31, 1/1). (NYT, WP 1/10; Qol Yisra'el 1/9, 1/10 in FBIS 1/11)

Israel has information on Palestinian and Islamic elements in the U.S. that funnel supporto Hamas in Israel and the o.t., and will pass it on to the U.S. if U.S. will "take action againsthese elements." (Davar 1/10, 1/11 in FBIS 1/12)

Faisal Husseini says o.t. financial difficulties stem from factors responsible for those of the PLO. Chmn. Arafat should apologize to Arab states, admitting that PLO's pro-Iraqi policy in Gulf war was a mistake, and appeal to them (especially Saudi Arabia) for aid. (Ha'Aretz 9/27 in FBIS 9/28)

PLO, PNC, and DFLP (Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh wing) strongly condemn 9/5 tripartite rejection of Palestinian autonomy plan. (Sawt al-Sha'b 9/7 in FBIS 9/8)

PM Rabin meets with Golan settlers, refuses to declare that their settlements will not be hurt in an agreement with Syria, says importance of the Golan to Israel's security is not linked to settlements, "whether there are over 30 or half of that." (Qol Yisra'el 9/6, 9/7 in FBIS 9/8; Qol Yisra'el 9/10 in FBIS 9/10)

Annual Arab Economic Report (issued by Arab Monetary Fund, Arab League, and other orgs.) estimates that the Gulf crisis and war cost the Arab world $620 billion. (NYT 9/8)

Amal and Hizballah win 22 of 23 seats in 3rd round of Lebanese elections; Christians largely boycott the elections. (NYT, WP 6/9)

Fateh and Hamas reportedly reach agreement to end violence after massive efforts by Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi and NRC (see 7/8). Violence and threats on peace delegates continue. (ITV 7/10 in FBIS 7/13; MM 7/10)

Palestinian Israeli delegation including MK 'Abd al-Wahhab Darawsha and Umm al-Fahm Mayor Shaykh Raid Salah arrives in Gaza City to "offer good offices" for mediation of Hamas-Fateh violence in Gaza Strip. (MM 7/10)

PLO sources announce Oman has been asked to help mediate PLO's conflict with GCC countries, which cut off large amounts of aid as a result of Palestinian position in the Gulf war. (AFP 7/10 in FBIS 7/17)

"Over 14,000" laborers from Gaza Strip arrive at jobs in Israel, according to ITV; figure is about half the normal number. (Qol Yisra'el 6/15 in FBIS 6/16)

Former Soviet Pres. Gorbachev criticizes PLO stance during Gulf war, does not plan to meet with Palestinian reps. (Palestinian delegation had not requested a meeting with Gorbachev, according to his spokesman.) (Qol Yisra'el 6/15 in FBIS 6/16)

Israeli aircraft launch mock raids over Sidon, Iqlim al-Tuffah region, S. Lebanon; helicopters fire tracer bullets over al-Rashidiyya camp. Palestinian and Lebanese forces respond with anti-aircraft fire. Security sources say 20 killed, 53 wounded in Israeli raids since 5/21. (AFP 6/15 in FBIS 6/15)

Egyptian press reports Saudi Arabia has agreed to allow PLO to resume collecting PLO tax from the 120,000 Palestinians working in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia had stopped the practice after Gulf war. (MENA 2/5 in FBIS 2/6)

Palestinian delegation presents PLO-approved autonomy plan to Israeli team in Washington. (NYT 1/17)

Hundreds of settlers converge on seven sites, attempt to establish settlements. Settlers also block roads and demonstrate outside homes of PM Shamir, DM Arens, threatening to take matters into their own hands if IDF cannot protect them from attacks by Palestinians. IDF forces most of them to leave. Balata refugee camp, nine villages n. of Ramallah curfewed. (Qol Yisra'el 1/15 in FBIS 1/15, 1/16; Voice of Palestine 1/15 in FBIS 1/17; MM 1/15)

Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek states road scheduled to be built on top of archeological site will be completed as planned [see 1/14]. (MM 1/16)

Kuwaiti press reports statements by planning minister that Kuwait will ensure that Kuwaitis comprise 60% of future population, as compared with 30% before Gulf war, even if this slows economic recovery. Kuwait will also lend $15 million to Syria to assist former Syrian residents of Kuwait establish businesses in Syria. (MM 1/15)

Palestinian delegates finally join Jordanians in leaving for peace talks in Washington after 10-hour delay at Amman airport during which negotiations continued between Palestinians and U.S. officials over whether or not certain PLO officials would be allowed visas to enter U.S. along with delegation. Palestinians eventually dropped the matter and left for Washington. (Jordan Times 12/3 in FBIS 12/3)

American hostage Joseph Cicippio released in Beirut by Revolutionary Justice Organization. (NYT 12/3)

Arafat holds talks with King Hussein in Amman. Usama Baz, advisor to Pres. Mubarak and most senior Egyptian leader to visit Jordan since Gulf war, also arrives for talks. Arafat later flies to Damascus. (MM 12/2)

IDF establishes Rachelim, a paramilitary Nahal camp, at site where two settlers were ambushed and killed 10/28. (MM 12/5)

UN Secy. Gen. Perez de Cuellar calls for UNIFIL troops to replace Israeli, SLA forces at certain locations in S. Lebanon to avoid future clashes like 11/15 incident in which Irish UNIFIL soldier died in a clash between UNIFIL, SLA. (MM 12/3)

Israeli state attorney recommends that Israel take no action against Hanan Ashrawi for her alleged contacts with PLO officials, as had been recommended by Israeli police. Israeli attorney general must now decide Ashrawi's fate. (MM 11/19)

Jerusalem chief of police apologizes for 11/18 raid on Islamic court offices in E. Jerusalem (but does not return documents) as some 100 Palestinians, including members of the Islamic Higher Council, demonstrate against the raid in E. Jerusalem. Merchants in Hebron joined with those in the old city in strike to protest the raid. (MM 11/19)

E. Jerusalem, Hebron merchants strike ends. Nablus merchants strike 11/18 death of imam shot by IDF. (MM 11/19)

Labor party opens national convention in Jerusalem, struggles to develop a new election program to attract voters. (MM 11/19, 11/20)

European Commission announces EC will donate $61 million in aid to Palestinians in o.t. to help overcome economic effects of Gulf war. Grant is first expenditure from a $280- million assistance package established by EC in March 1991. (MM 11/19)

PM Shamir declares Israel will not release more Lebanese prisoners until it receives its missing servicemen. FM Levy calls on UN, Western countries to avoid "discrimination" during prisoner-hostage release negotiations, a reference to increased Israeli concern that such talks are focusing solely on Western hostages and ignoring Israeli demands for information on its servicemen missing in Lebanon. Israeli negotiator Uri Lubrani travels to New York for talks with UN Secy. Gen. Perez de Cuellar to push for progress on releasing airman Ron Arad, only Israeli hostage believed to be alive. Reversing earlier UN policy seeking a multilateral release, Perez de Cuellar states that he now accepts separating question of Western hostages from that of Israeli captives. (Qol Yisra'el 11/19 in FBIS 11/19; WP 11/21)

Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi states that as long as Israel refuses to implement UN Sec. Council Resolution 425, calling for Israeli withdrawal from S. Lebanon, he cannot stop attacks by anti-Israeli resistance forces. (MM 11/19)

Member of advisory committee to Palestinian delegation Ziyad Abu Zayyad confirms the existence of an eight-page document discussing the eventual transfer of power from Israeli occupation forces to Palestinians in the o.t. during the "transitional period" of self-rule envisioned as part of the peace process. The document, which he states is only a draft proposal, was written by residents of the o.t. and suggests establishing management committees to oversee administration of the territories. (Qol Yisra'el 11/12 in FBIS 11/14)

Five members of the new political committees in o.t. resign, but 25 new members are added. Move seen as part of behind-thescenes conflict between the original founders of the committees and the PLO, members of the Palestinian delegation over the nature of the committees. (Qol Yisra'el 11/13, Ha'Aretz 11/13, Israel Television 11/12 in FBIS 11/14)

Faisal Husseini holds debate with Riyad al-Maliki, leading PFLP supporter in West Bank and opponent of the peace process, at Bethlehem University. (MEM 11/12)

Syrian VP 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam meets with delegation from Palestinian National Salvation Front, including PNSF head Khalid al-Fahum, PFLP-GC Gen. Secy. Ahmad Jibril, Fateh-Uprising leader Sa'id Musa Muragha (Abu Musa), other top PNSF figures. Meeting comes in wake of improved Fateh-Syrian, PLO-Syrian relations. (al-Quds Palestinian Arab Radio [clandestine] 11/12 in FBIS 11/14)

Pres. Bush, speaking before ameeting of Jewish American leaders in New York, regrets language he used during his 9/12 comments about the loan guarantees to Israel [in which he obliquely referred to the power of the Jewish lobby]. (MEM 11/13, 11/14)

Meeting of Israeli Labor party, called by Labor party leader Shimon Peres in an attempt to bridge gap among hard-liners and moderates within the party on foreign affairs and security matters, fails to reach agreement. Meeting comes in wake of rightward turn within Labor party toward security issues, evidenced by the tough 11/10 draft of the party's political platform adopted by the party's political committee and by the support given by several hard-line Labor parliamentarians to an 11/11 Knesset resolution that called for permanent Israeli control over Golan. (MEM 11/13)

Meeting of the "Damascus Declaration" nations ends without agreement on ways to turn their Gulf war alliance into a deeper multi-lateral relationship. (MEM 11/12)

At Madrid peace conference, PM Shamir delivers first opening address of the day. He is followed by Jordanian FM Kamil Abu Jaber, chief Palestinian delegate Haydar Abd al-Shafi, Lebanese FM Faris Bouez, and Syrian FM Faruq al-Sharaa (NYT 11/1)

After hearing Abd al-Shafi's speech on the radio, hundreds of Palestinians march through Ramallah waving olive branches and shaking hands with Israeli security forces, who did not break up the demonstration. Similar marches took place in E. Jerusalem, throughout occupied territories. (MEM 10/31, 11/1)

In another move toward PLO-Saudi reconciliation, Fateh Central Comm. Mbr. and top aide to Chmn. Arafat Nabil Sha'th, who was appointed as behind-the-scenes PLO coordinator of Palestinian delegates at Madrid, meets with Saudi representative to talks, Prince Sa'ud bin Faysal, along with Palestinian delegates and members of the steering committee. (MEM 11/1)

Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Salim al-Sabah reiterates Kuwaiti hostility toward PLO, however, describing PLO position during the Gulf war as "shameful" while affirming Kuwaiti support for Palestinian cause. (MEM 11/1)

Israeli, South Lebanon Army forces continue shelling Nabatiyya area, other regions of S. Lebanon. (MEM 11/1)

In Damascus, Arab foreign ministers agree to coordinate stands during peace conference, not to strike separate deals with Israel. Syria failed to garner support for proposal that none of the delegations would attend the third-stage talks on regional issues until Israel returned occupied Arab territories. (MEM 10/24; NYT 10/25)

In another move toward Saudi-PLO reconciliation, PLO Pol. Dept. Head Faruq al-Qaddumi meets with Saudi FM Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal while both attend Damascus foreign ministers meeting. The meeting, brokered by Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak, was their first since the Gulf war, and reportedly led to Sa'ud pledging to restore Saudi ties with PLO. (MEM 10/25)

Palestinian delegate Sa'ib 'Urayqat creates an uproar in Israel by declaring to the press that "we are the PLO delegation." Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini later states that 'Urayqat was speaking for himself. (NYT 10/2)

Faisal Husseini announces seven Palestinians will form an advisory committee to work with the steering committee attached to the Palestinian delegation to the peace conference. They are: Radwan Abu 'Ayyash, Ziyad Abu Zayyad, Ahmad al-Yazji, Jamil Tarifi, Radi Jara'i, Salih Abu Laban, 'Abd al-Hadi Abu Khawsh. (MEM 10/25; Voice of Palestine 10/26 in FBIS 10/28)

Some 300 Palestinian fighters opposed participation in the peace talks occupy the offices of Fateh in the 'Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp near Sidon, S. Lebanon, and overrun much of the rest of the camp. Action was reportedly led by Maj. Munir Makda, commander of Force 17, Fateh's security force. (NYT 10/25)

Ten Palestinian groups which had been attending Tehran-based conference on Palestine sign 13-point statement denouncing Madrid peace conference, calling for escalation of intifada. Among signatories were PFLP, DFLP [Hawatma faction], Palestinian Popular Struggle Front, al-Sa'iqa. (Radio Monte Carlo 10/24 in FBIS 10/25)

Israel re-opens its embassy in Moscow, closed since the USSR broke diplomatic relations with Israel in 1967. (NYT 10/25)

Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi states Ta'if accord calls for "redeployment-not a withdrawal-of Syrian forces," but suggests that if Israel withdrew from S. Lebanon, Syria would withdraw its forces from Lebanon. (MEM 10/24)

Israeli cabinet approves PM Shamir's recommendation to attend peace conference by vote of 16 in favor to 3 opposed. Tehiya party announces it will leave the government on 10/30. Tehiya Chmn. Yuval Ne'eman decides to support the Likud-led coalition, however, and resigns as party chair [party later reversed its decision]. (MEM 10/21, 10/31)

Chmn. Arafat arrives in Jordan for talks with King Hussein, who along with Arafat co-chairs a joint Palestinian-Jordanian committee overseeing participation of the joint delegation at peace conference. The two agree to give PLO a major but behind-the-scenes role in conference process. (MEM 10/21, 10/23)

U.S., Jordan sign $22 million military assistance pact. In March 1991, U.S. Congress had blocked a request from Bush administration for $55 million in military aid to Jordan to punish Jordan for its stance in the Gulf war. Bush allowed resumption of economic aid to Jordan in July. (NYT 10/31)

Roadside bomb near Kufr Rummana, in the Israeli "security zone" in S. Lebanon, kills three Israeli soldiers, wounds two others. (MEM 10/21)

Jerusalem city council condemns 10/9 invasion of several Palestinian homes in Silwan by Israeli settlers and right-wing Knesset members. (MEM 10/14)

In Tunis, PLO Exec. Comm. approves principle of joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to peace conference. PLO, Jordanian officials had earlier agreed to form a joint delegation, not a unified delegation which included both Jordanian and Palestinian delegates [see 10/6]. Exec. Comm. mbr. Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh is dispatched to Amman for more talks with Jordanian officials. (al-Ra'i 10/14 in FBIS 10/15)

Secy. of State Baker arrives in Cairo for eighth trip to Middle East since Gulf war. (MEM 10/14)

Soviet airlines Aeroflot, Jewish Agency, sign agreement to establish direct, regular flights of Soviet Jewish immigrants to Israel from Leningrad and Moscow. Flights will be conducted by Aeroflot and El Al, the Israeli state airline. (MEM 10/14)

PLO denies attendance of Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi at PNC Meeting in Algiers, a claim repeated by Ashrawi from her hotel in London. (MEM 9/27)

Syrian FM al-Sharaa tells Secy. of State Baker that Syria will not participate in talks on regional issues which will follow the opening sessions of a proposed peace conference unless Israel withdraws from the Golan Heights. (NYT 10/11)

Bassam Abu Sharif, spokesman for Chmn. Arafat, indicates Saudi Arabia will free funds earned by 5% tax imposed on Palestinians working in Saudi Arabia. Saudi Arabia had frozen the funds as a result of PLO's stance in Gulf war. (AFP 9/26 in FBIS 9/27)

Israeli army announces arrest of 463 PFLP activists over the past several weeks. Israeli television calls it the largest campaign of arrests ever mounted against PFLP in o.t. (MEM 9/27)

Chmn. Arafat agrees to Palestinian participation in peace conference if four conditions are met: recognition of Palestinian right to self-determination; PLO must determine Palestinian participation in conference; Palestinians from E. Jerusalem must be allowed to participate and question of Jerusalem must not be deleted from conference agenda; Israeli settlement activity in occupied territories must be halted and international protection extended to Palestinians. Arafat also praises democratic reforms underway in USSR, amidst increasing criticism of Palestinian stance vis-a-vis the Soviet coup. (MEM 8/28)

Arafat meets Pres. Mubarak in Libya for first time since Gulf war. (MEM 8/29)

PFLP denounces U.S.-led peace plan, criticizes PL-0 for conditional agreement. (MEM 8/28)

Israeli press announces Israel recently requested aid from Germany to assist settlement of immigrants inIsrael. Finance ministry requested $5.74 billion in aid during secret negotiations held several weeks ago. (MEM 8/29)

Kuwait announces U.S. will build military base at Sabiyya, 40 km. from Kuwait-Iraq border. (MEM 8/28)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak asserts PLO must be involved in peace conference, issue of Jerusalem cannot be excluded from agenda. (MEM 8/8)

Israeli officials again indicate willingness to exchange Lebanese prisoners for seven Israelis captured in Lebanon. Number of Lebanese "under Israeli authority" put at 375. (NYT 8/9)

Forty-five member Islamic Conference Organization meeting in Istanbul confirms PLO as sole representative of the Palestinians. PLO Pol. Dept. Head Faruq al-Qaddumi meets with Saudi For. Min. Prince Sa'ud al-Faysal during conference, amove considered significant given frigid PLO-Saudi relations following Gulf war. In move signalling improved PLO-Iranian relations, al-Qaddumi also met with Iranian For. Min. 'Ali Akbar Velayati, Velayati invited PLO to participate in international conference on Palestine to be held in Tehran in October. (MEM 8/7, 8/9)

In another PLO-Iranian development, official Tehran Radio urged resumption of Gulf states' funding of PLO. (MEM 8/8)

Secy. of State Baker meets with Palestinian delegation comprised of Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, Zakariya al-Agha in Jerusalem; urges Palestinian compromise, positive response to peace initiative. Delegation states PLO response will come shortly. (NYT, LAT 8/3)

PLO Chmn. Arafat rejects Israeli veto power over composition of Palestinian delegation. (LAT 8/3)

Jordanian government issues "white paper" explaining its position during Gulf crisis. Pres. Bush indicates some U.S. aid to Jordan will resume in light of King Hussein's willingness to attend peace conference. (NYT 8/2; LAT 8/3; MEM 8/5)

Secretary of State Baker, beginning 6th visit to Middle East since Gulf war, meets P.M. Shamir, F.M. Levy and D.M. Arens in Jerusalem. Following meeting, Shamir commits Israel to attend peace conference provided no Palestinians associated with PLO or from E. Jerusalem are included in talks. Shamir will seek approval from Israeli cabinet for move. Shamir states U.S. assured Israel that Palestinian participants meet Israeli criteria. (NYT, WP, LAT 8/2)