The Palestine Chronology

This morning, the IDF begins pulling back reinforcements fr. the West Bank, Gaza after reaching a new agmt. with the PA. Initially, clashes abate, but fighting continues at old hot spots (e.g., Hebron, Nablus, Netzarim Junction, Ramallah, Tulkarm). Within hrs., the IDF sends reinforcements back in, firing antitank missiles and deploying helicopter gunships, tanks against Palestinians, killing 3, injuring 40. In Nablus, 27 Palestinians are injured when and IDF helicopter fires rockets at an apartment building. 1 Palestinian injured last wk. dies. Inside Israel, massive demonstrations continue across the Galilee following 2 funerals for Israeli Arabs killed by the Israeli police earlier in the wk. (MM 10/3; AFP, IRNA, MENA 10/3, JT, Le Monde 10/4 in WNC 10/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/4; AYM 10/4 in WNC 10/10; MEI 10/13)

Barak meets with Israeli Arab leaders to "ease concerns about the neglect of their community," agrees to set up a special cabinet comm. to address Arab concerns. Under pressure fr. Israeli Arab MKs, he bans police fr. using live ammunition against Israeli protesters unless there is "clear and immediate danger to life." The Israeli government also releases plans to improve roads in schools in Israeli Arab towns, raise the standard of living of the Arab minority. (MM 10/3; NYT, WT 10/4; MEI 10/13)

In Beirut, 20,000 Palestinians, Lebanese march to UN House to protest Israeli actions. Some 10,000 Palestinian refugees demonstrate in camps in Rashidiyya, Sidon, and Tyre. In Amman, Jordanians observe a strike in solidarity with the Palestinians, and Jordanian riot police wield clubs against 100s of stone-throwing demonstrators marching on the Israeli emb. In Norway, some 100 Norwegians take part in a violent protest outside the Israeli emb. in Oslo, burning flags, throwing bottles, breaking windows. Rallies are also reported in Egypt, Greece, Oman, Pakistan, the UAE. In the U.S., anti-Israeli protests are held in Austin, Cleveland, Philadelphia, Raleigh, San Francisco, Washington, and outside the CNN offices in Atlanta, Alabama, Florida, Tennessee, Toronto. (JP [Internet], MM 10/4; JT 10/4 in WNC 10/6; Daily Star [Internet] 10/5; MM 10/6; MEI 10/13)

The IDF admits that its soldiers fired the shots that killed a Muhammad al-Dura at Netzarim Junction on 10/1 but blames Palestinians for the "cynical use" of children in confrontations with IDF troops. (WP 10/4; NYT 10/5) (see 10/2)

CIA Dir. Tenet, Arafat meet again. (MM 9/4, 9/6)

In Cairo, Arab League FMs open a 2-day mtg. focusing on final status arrangements for Jerusalem. Arafat briefs FMs on the Camp David summit, recent developments. (JT 9/10 in WNC 9/12; MEI 9/15)

Lebanon holds the 2d round of parliamentary elections, covering seats allotted to s. districts. Candidates allied with fmr. PM Rafiq Hariri (1992+n98) win 18 of 19 seats in Beirut Hizballah's parliamentary bloc increases fr. 9 to 12 seats. (NYT, WP 9/3; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/4; MM, NYT, WT 9/5; MM 9/6, 9/7, 9/8, 9/11; MEI 9/15)

In advance of Secy. of State Albright's upcoming visit, U.S. special envoy Ross arrives in Israel for a wk. of talks with PA, Israeli negotiators on possible compromises on final status issues that would bring the sides close enough together to make a 3-way summit possible. (IsRN 6/22; State Dept. press briefing 6/26; AYM 6/26 in WNC 6/29; HA [Internet] 6/27; WP 6/28)

Israeli planes overfly Beirut and Tyre, violating Lebanon's airspace. (NYT 6/23; JP 6/30)

The PSF frees teachers union leader Omar Assaf (detained on 5/5), joumalists Mahir al-Alaimi (detained on 6/6) and Fathi Barkawi (detained in early 6/00), and dir. gen. of the PA Youth and Sport Min. Abu Ali Muqabil (detained in 4/00), who all were detained for criticizing PA corruption. (Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group press release 6/22; JP 6/30) (see 5/22)

An IDF unit shoots, seriously wounds Islamic Jihad activist Radi al-Safi outside Bayt Sahur, in area C. Palestinian witnesses say Safi was ambushed; IDF says Safi pulled a gun at an IDF roadblock and threatened to shoot soldiers. (al-Quds 6/23 in WNC 6/27; JP 6/30)

Jewish settlers fr. Barkha settlement in the West Bank shoot, wound 4 Palestinian farmers attempting to take down a fence that settlers had erected on their property to expand Barkha's boundaries. (Palestine Chronicle [Internet] 6/23; al-Quds 6/23 in WNC 6/27)

After meeting with Arafat and Barak, Albright announces that Arafat will go to Washington to meet with Pres. Clinton on 6/14 and Israeli, PA final status teams will resume talks in Washington on 6/12, with the goal of narrowing gaps btwn. their positions enough to allow a 3-way summit by the end of the mo. (MM, NYT 6/6; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 6/7; MENA 6/7 in WNC 6/8; XIN 6/7 in WNC 6/9; MM, WT 6/9; MEI 6/16)

At the invitation of the White House, King Abdallah of Jordan meets with Pres. Clinton in Washington for talks on bilateral relations, including a free-trade agmt., and the peace process. (DUS 6/6 in WNC 6/7; NYT, WT 6/7; DUS 6/8 in WNC 6/12)

The UN finishes drafting the blue line that will be used to verify Israel's withdrawal fr. Lebanon. UN special envoy Larsen turns over maps to the Israeli and Lebanese governments, which both have minor objections. (NYT, WT 6/7)

Jewish settler councils fr. Gaza, the West Bank, the Golan Heights form a joint action comm. to coordinate more intensive protests against exchanging land for peace. (MA 6/7 in WNC 6/8)

The PSF questions Palestinian journalist Mahir al-Alami regarding his recent article on PA corruption, detains him without charge. (al-Quds [Internet] 6/7; LAW 6/13; WP 6/16)

Palestinian Khalid Muhamm Yuslf, arrested by the PA on 5/25, dies in the PA jail in Hebron. The PA claims that the 35 yr. old died of a heart attack. (PR, WT 6/7)

Syria's fmr. chief of staff Gen. HEkmat Shihabi leaves for the U.S. via Beirut for "medical treatment" after learning that he has been targeted in the anticorruption campaign headed by Syria's heir apparent Bashar al-Asad. Shihabi served as chief of staffor 24 yrs. and was part of Syria's delegation to talks with Israel. Analysts see the recent step-up in the anticorruption campaign as a showdown of sorts btwn. the old guard and Bashar's new guard in the run-up to the Ba'th party congress, set for 6/17, which should elect Bashar to a party post for the 1st time. (MM 6/6, 6/8, 6/9, 6/13; SA 7/30 in WNC 7/31) (see 5/28)

UN cartographers begin tracing the blue line to determine whether Israel's withdrawal is complete. (MM 5/26; NYT, WP 5/27; JP, MEI 6/2)

In Beirut, Iranian FM Kanal Kharrazi meets separately with Lebanese Pres. Emile Lahoud, PM Salim al-Huss, Hizballah's Nasrallah to discuss Israel's withdrawal fr. Lebanon. (IRNA 5/26 in WNC 5/30)

The PSF arrests without charge Ahed Yusif, a human rights activist with the Palestinian organization Addameer who has previously criticized the PA. (B'Tselem press release 6/1)

UNIFIL adviser Timur Goksel says the situation in s. Lebanon is remarkably calm following the IDF pullout and says that the real credit for this goes to Hizballah, which "has been acting very responsibly." UN special envoy Terje Larsen arrives in Beirut on the 1st leg of a 1-wk. shuttle mission to coordinate the UN's next steps with Israeli, Lebanese, Syrian officials. (MM, WT 5/24; NYT, WP, WT 5/25; ANSA, XIN 5/25 in WNC 5/26; MM, WP 5/26; MA 5/26, DUS 5/27 in WNC 5/30; MA 5/30 in WNC 5/31; JP 6/2)

The PA allows al-Watan TV to resume broadcasts. (LAW 5/30)

After a 2d round of talks with Syrian FM Shara`, Russian FMin. official Saltanov goes to Beirut to meet with PM Huss regarding Israel's planned withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (ITAR-TASS 5/10 in WNC 5/11; RAI [Moscow] 5/11 in WNC 5/15)

Some 5,000 Israeli Arabs mark Israel's independence day by participating in a "right of return march" fr. the village of Kabul in the Galilee to the site of the village of al-Damun, nr. Haifa, that was destroyed by Zionist forces in 1948. Another 1,000 Israeli Arabs and displaced residents of Umm al-Zaynat hold a memorial at the site of that destroyed village. (BDL 5/12)

At the main Bethlehem checkpoint, some 500 Palestinians demonstrate for the release of Palestinian prisoners fr. Israeli jails. IDF soldiers fire rubber bullets at the crowd, injuring 5 Palestinians. (MA [Internet] 5/11)

The PA allows Love and Peace Radio in Ramallah to resume broadcasting. (JT [Internet] 5/11) (see 5/5)

Apparently as a result of Syrian heir-apparent Bashar al-Asad's anticorruption campaign, fmr. PM Muhammad Zu'bi, who was replaced 3/13 with the new government, is expelled fr. the Ba`th party and incited on charges of committing unspecified financial, political irregularities. (MEI 5/19)

In retaliation for Hizballah rocket attacks on n. Israel 5/4, the IDF carries out airstrikes on Lebanese power stations, shells the Beirut+nDamasucs highway, strikes Hizballah targets. At least 1 Lebanese civilian is injured. Large areas of Beirut and n. and e. Lebanon are left without power. The repairs on the 2 power stations caused by Israel's last airstrikes in early 2/00 were just completed a wk. ago. Hizballah fires a 2d round of rockets at n. Israel, but Israel decides not to respond. (WP 5/5; NYT, WP, WT 5/6; al-Quds 5/7 in WNC 5/10; MM 5/8; JP 5/12; MEI 5/19)

Iran holds run-off parliamentary elections. Initial results show reformers allied with Pres. Khatami taking 52 of the 66 remaining open seats, giving them a total of around 200 of the 290 seats. (NYT 5/6; NYT, WP 5/7) (see 2/18)

Turkey elects reformist judge Necdet Sezer as its new pres. He will take office when outgoing pres. Demirel's term ends on 5/16. (MM 5/5; ATL 5/5 in WNC 5/8; WP 5/6)

PA police detain Omar Assaf, head of the Palestinian teachers' union in the West Bank, and close Love and Peace Radio in Ramallah for airing an interview with him on 5/3. (Workers Advice Center [Ramallah] press release 5/5; LAW 5/8; JT [Internet] 5/11) (see 5/3)

In retaliation for Israeli attacks on 5/3 that killed and injured a number of civilians, Hizballah fires rockets into n. Israel, killing 1 IDF solider; 28 civilians are lightly injured by flying glass. (MM, NYT, WP 5/5; Interfax, IRNA 5/5 in WNC 5/8; al-Quds 5/7 in WNC 5/10; WJW 5/11)

In Beirut, UN special envoy Larsen holds talks with Lebanese pres. Lahoud, PM Huss regarding Israel's planned unilateral withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (MEI, MM, WP 5/5; al-Safir 5/9 in WNC 5/15; MEI 5/19)

In Cairo, Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the PA hold a technical comm. mtg. on displaced persons. (AYM 5/6 in WNC 5/10)

In Beirut, UN special envoy Larsen meets with Lebanese pres. Lahoud, PM Huss to discuss a new mandate for UNIFIL following an Israeli withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (Le Monde 5/6 in WNC 5/10)

In Shiraz, numerous foreign diplomats, observers fr. international human rights groups attend the opening of the trial of 13 Iranian Jews accused of spying for Israel. (8 Muslims were also arrested on the same charges but will be tried separately.) 1 defendant confesses to the court and on national television, but human rights groups are skeptical of the validity of his statement. (CSM 5/1; IRNA 5/1 in WNC 5/2; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/2; WP, WT 5/3; NYT, WJW, WP, WT 5/4; JP 5/5; WP, WT 5/9; NYT, WJW, WT 5/11; IRNA 5/15 in WNC 5/16) (see 3/17)

Palestinian prisoners in Israeli jails begin a hunger strike to protest their conditions. (WT 5/3)

For the 2d day, IDF troops forcibly remove settlers fr. a makeshift encampment in the Palestinian section of Hebron. (NYT 5/2)

PA, Israeli teams resume FAPS talks at Bolling AFB. (WJW 4/6; WP 4/7)

In Beirut, Lebanese pres. Lahoud, UN special envoy Terje Larsen discuss Israel's plans to pull out of s. Lebanon in 7/00. Lahoud gives Larsen a letter outlining Lebanon's concerns regarding a unilateral IDF withdrawal. (MM 4/6; MM, NYT 3/7; MEI 4/21)

Rep. Sonny Callahan (R-AL), chmn. of the House Appropriations Subcomm., vows to block $250 m. in FY 2001 aid to Israel to offset its profit fr. the planned sale of AWACS technology to China, if the sale goes through. (WP 4/7, 4/11; WJW 4/13, 4/20) (see 4/3)

After a 2-mo. investigation, Israel police conclude that Pres. Weizman committed fraud, breach of trust by accepting unreported funds and favors from 2 private businessmen but say he cannot be indicted because the statute of limitations has run out. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/7; MM, WT 4/10; WJW 4/13; JP 4/14) (see 1/20)

The IDF evacuates Jewish settlers fr. Havat Maon. (NYT 4/7) (see 4/5)

Jordanian riot police stand by as University of Jordan students stage a peaceful 2-hr. sit-in to protest the university's decision to appoint half of the student council. (JT 4/7 in WNC 4/11) (see 4/4)

The IDF presents Barak with a proposal called "Morning Twilight," under which the IDF would withdraw fr. all but 8 strategic sites in s. Lebanon in 7/00. When the gist of the plan is leaked by the Israeli press, Lebanon, Syria, UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL) term it a "doomsday option" (UNIFIL adviser Timur Goksel's term) that would exacerbate instability and violence. (MM 3/13, 3/15; MEI, MM 3/24; MEI 4/7)

At the close of the 2-day Arab League mtg. in Beirut, FMs declare their support Lebanon's right to resist Israeli occupation, urge Arab states to unite and resist normalization with Israel until a comprehensive peace is achieved. Israel considers the statement extremist, hostile to the peace process. (NYT, WP, WT 3/12; IRNA, MENA 3/12 in WNC 3/13, 3/14; MM, NYT 3/13; MENA 3/13 in WNC 3/15; MM 3/14; AYM 3/14 in WNC 3/20; WJW 3/16; MEI 3/24) (see Doc. B3)

10s of Palestinians demonstrate outside the PC in Ramallah to protest the PA's decision to raise fuel prices given worldwide gas price hikes. (MENL 3/12; AYM 3/14 in WNC 3/20)

U.S. special envoy Ross makes 1-day trip to Cairo to consult with Egyptian FM `Amr Musa. (MENA 2/24 in WNC 2/28)

PM Barak defends FM Levy's speech to the Knesset on 2/23, saying he is a voice of moderation, "his words illustrate the weighty responsibility we feel for Israel's security in the face of dangers that lie in wait for us when we enter the decisive stage of the peace process." (MM, NYT 2/25; WP 2/26; AYM 2/26 in WNC 2/29; MEI 3/10)

The Arab League announces that its next regular FMs mtg. will be held 3/11+n12 in Beirut, instead of Cairo, as a gesture of solidarity in support for Lebanon's "steadfastness in the face of ongoing Israeli aggression." (MM 2/24; al-Musawwar 3/3, MENA 3/5 in WNC 3/6; MM 3/8)

Pope John Paul II arrives in Egypt for 3-day visit, meets with Pres. Mubarak, calls for unity and tolerance among all religious groups. Meanwhile in Israel, a group of senior rabbis asks the pope to cancel plans to hold a daytime Saturday mass when he visits Nazareth in 3/25, saying it would cause "massive desecration "of the Jewish sabbath. Far-right Jewish groups put up posters in Jerusalem calling the pope "the wicked one," saying prayer service would be an act of "mass idolatry in the heart of Jerusalem." (ANSA [Rome], MENA 2/24, MENA 2/25 in WNC 2/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/25; MENA 2/26 in WNC 2/29; WT 2/27, 2/29; JP 3/3)

After a mtg. with Barak in Jerusalem, French PM Lionel Jospin says that "France condemns Hizballah's [recent attacks on the IDF in s. Lebanon], and all types of terrorist attacks which may be carried out against soldiers or possibly Israel's civilian population." French pres. Jacques Chirac reprimands Jospin. (MM 2/25; WT 2/27; WP 2/28; Le Monde 2/28 in WNC 2/29; AYM 2/28 in WNC 3/1; al-Quds 2/29 in WNC 3/3; WJW 3/9; JP, MEI 3/10)

U.S. special envoy Ross meets with Arafat in Ramallah. Before the mtg. Arafat receives a written message fr. Barak that says Israel will adjust its map for the 3d stage of the 2d FRD but will not give the PA control of any of the villages it wants in the greater Jerusalem area. (MM 2/22; CSM, MM 2/23; MM 2/25)

Kuwaiti FM Shaykh Sabah travels to Beirut, to show Kuwait's solidarity with Lebanon in light of Israel's recent air strikes. (MENA 2/22 in WNC 2/24; NYT 3/4; MEI 3/10) (see 2/19)

Israel cuts its budget for security for Jewish settlers in the West Bank and Gaza fr. $34.5 m. to $6.2 m., in keeping with overall reductions in the defense budget. (NYT 2/23)

Arafat chairs the 1st mtg. of the PA Higher Council for Development (HCD). Participants begin work on consolidating PA departments for improved financial accounting, form a group to explore ways of attracting foreign investment, agree to draft a working paper on a privatization strategy by 4/25. (al-Quds 2/22 in WNC 2/29)

PA head Arafat calls for resumption of negotiations with Israel, on hold since 2/6; says teams should forgo a framework agmt. on permanent status (FAPS) and focus on completing the final status agmt. by the 9/13 target date. Israeli chief negotiator Oded Eran says a FAPS is important, can be reached by end of 3/00. (WP, WT 2/21)

Pres. Mubarak makes the 1st trip to Beirut by an Egyptian leader since 1952 to meet with Lebanese pres. Emile Lahoud to show solidarity with Lebanon in the wake of Israeli attacks. Both presidents reiterate Hizballah's right to resist Israel's occupation. (MENA, RL 2/19 in WNC 2/22; NYT, WP, WT 2/20; AFP, MENA 2/20 in WNC 2/23; MM, WT 2/21; MM 2/22; GIU 2/23; AYM 2/24, MENA 2/26, Der Spiegel 2/28 in WNC 2/29; JP, MEI 2/25)

The PA shuts down Nawras TV in Hebron for 1 wk. on charges of incitement for covering the ongoing teachers strike (see 2/17). (MENL 2/20) (see 2/16)

In s. Lebanon, 1 civilian is injured by IDF shelling. (RL 2/19 in WNC 2/22)

In Beirut, around 5,000 Lebanese protest nr. the UN headquarters against Israel's recent air strikes on civilian targets, the U.S.'s failure to restrain Israel. At another rally outside the CNN bureau, 3,000 students are confronted police firing tear gas and water cannon. The U.S. makes its 1st comment critical of Israel's strikes, which began 2/8, saying "we do not believe that Israeli attacks against civilian infrastructure and populated areas will solve the problem." (NYT, WP 2/19; MM 2/21; MEI 2/25)

In protest over Israel's threats to continue strikes against civilian targets in s. Lebanon (see 2/16), King Abdallah of Jordan cancels a planned visit to Israel. (WP 2/19; MEI 2/25)

Iran holds the 1st round of parliamentary elections, with some 6,000 candidates, including 400 women, vying for 290 seats. Reform-minded supporters of Pres. Mohamed Khatami overwhelmingly defeat conservative candidates, with 80% voter turnout. The 2d round of voting will take place on 5/5. (CSM, MM 2/18; NYT, WP, WT 2/19; MM, NYT, WP 2/21; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/22; AYM 2/22, al-Quds 2/24 in WNC 2/29; MM 2/23; JP, MEI 2/25; WJW 3/2; NYT 3/9)

The PA arrests without charge al-Najah University professor `Abd al-Sattar Qasim, one of the 20 signatories of the 11/99 anticorruption statement. (LAW 2/20; AFP 2/21 in WNC 2/23; MEI 2/25; JP 3/3)

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) says it will resume full participation in the PLO Executive Comm. and Central Council, which it has boycotted since the singing of the 1993 Oslo Accord. (NYT 2/18; AYM 2/21 in WNC 2/28)

At an American Comm. on Jerusalem briefing on Capitol Hill, eminent Palestinian historian Walid Khalidi reveals findings of a 3-yr. investigation, proving that the ownership of the proposed site for a U.S. emb. in Jerusalem, as mandated by Congress's 1995 Jerusalem Emb. Act, is largely private property (some of which can be claimed by U.S. citizens) and Waqf land that have been illegally confiscated by Israel. (ACJ press release 2/17)

PA teachers go on strike to protest their low salaries. Arafat had promised pay raises as part of the civil service law but the salary increases were not worked into the FY 2000 budget approved on 1/26. (MENL 2/18; LAW 2/22; MEI 2/25)

Demonstrations continue in Beirut, where 2,000 Lebanese hold protest outside the U.S. emb.; several are injured when army, police units break them up. (MM 2/17; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/18; MM 2/21)

In s. Lebanon, an IDF soldier is killed by Hizballah shelling. In a separate incident, a roadside bomb planted by Hizballah explodes injuring 1 South Lebanon Army (SLA) mbr. Israel does not stage major retaliatory attacks. (RL 2/17 in WNC 2/18; MM 2/21)

On his way home fr. the Vatican (see 2/15), Palestinian Authority (PA) head Yasir Arafat stops in Amman to meet with King Abdallah of Jordan. (MM 2/16)

Israel PM Ehud Barak phones Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak to discuss obstacles blocking the Palestinian, Syrian tracks of the peace process. (MENA 2/17 in WNC 2/18)

Reacting to the flare-up of violence in s. Lebanon in the past 3 wks., Israel empowers a 3-man team comprising PM Barak, FM David Levy, Transportation M Yitzhak Mordechai to authorize immediate reprisals for attacks on Israel Defense Force (IDF) soldiers, reiterates intention to hit civilian targets. 2,000 Lebanese students block Hamra street in Beirut's main shopping district to protest against Israel for its recent air strikes, the U.S. for allegedly giving Israel the "green light" to attack. (MM 2/16, 2/17; RL 2/17 in WNC 2/18; AYM 2/17 in WNC 2/22; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/18; NYT 2/19; MM 2/21; MEI 2/25)

U.S. Secy. of State Madeleine Albright tells the House International Relations Comm. that she is exploring ways to help victims of state-sponsored terrorism collect on judgements returned by U.S. courts even though Pres. Bill Clinton has blocked collection, citing foreign policy concerns and worries that other countries could use the precedent to seize U.S. properties abroad. (WP 2/17; Guardian Weekly 2/24)

PA General Intelligence questions Palestinian journalist Khaled Amayreh for the 2d time in a wk. regarding his new weekly paper, Hebron Times, which is critical of the PA. (Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group press release 2/21) (see 2/15)

Israel, PA announce that they will begin marathon FAPS talks on multiple tracks (including refugees, Jerusalem, borders, settlements) beginning around 2/1. (MM, WT 1/25; MENA 1/25 in WNC 1/27; CSM 1/26; AFP 1/26 in WNC 1/27)

On his way home fr. Washington, Arafat stops in Brussels to meet with EU officials, who report a significant improvement in PA accountability regarding EU aid. (al-Quds 1/24 in WNC 1/27; JP 2/4)

Lebanese security foils a 2d attack on the Russian emb. in Beirut. 4 gunmen are spotted but evade capture. (al-Nahar 1/26 in WNC 1/27) (see 1/3)

In Shepherdstown, PM Barak and FM Shara`, with Secy. Albright attending, set up 4 technical comms. to discuss simultaneously withdrawal fr. the Golan, security arrangements, normalization of relations, water. U.S. mediators hold an informal session with Syrian military officers to discuss the border issue. In the evening, Pres. Clinton holds a small "ice-breaking" reception with Barak, Shara`. (AYM 1/4 in WNC 1/6; MM, NYT, WP 1/5; MM 1/6; WJW, WP 1/6; MEI 1/14)

Israel, the PA agree to carry out the 2d stage of the 2d FRD based on the maps that were originally presented by Israel and rejected by the PA on 11/11. The PA suggests that Israel may give more desirable areas in the 3d stage of the 2d FRD, which is to be carried out on 1/20. (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 1/5; AFP 1/5 in WNC 1/6; al-Quds 1/5 in WNC 1/7)

In the 5th day of escalating violence, Lebanese troops engage Takfir mbrs. in house-to-house fighting in 2 villages n. of Beirut. In total, 11 soldiers, 10 civilians, around 25 rebels have been killed, some 20 rebels have been wounded and around 55 captured since 12/31. (CSM, NYT, WP 1/5; al-Nahar, RL 1/5 in WNC 1/6; GIU 1/7; MM 1/11; MEI 1/14)

Israeli PM Barak, Syrian FM Shara` resume substantive peace talks in Shepherdstown, West Virginia. Pres. Clinton, Secy. Albright both meet separately with Barak, Shara`; these mtgs. run long, forcing the cancellation of a 3-way mtg. among Barak, Clinton, Shara`. Talks focus on Israel's demand that talks start with security issues, Syria's demand that they start with the extent of Israel's withdrawal fr. the Golan. The U.S. convinces them to discuss all issues simultaneously. (AFP, IRNA 1/3 in WNC 1/4; AYM 1/3, DUS, al-Quds 1/4 in WNC 1/5; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/4; WP 1/5; Tehran Times 1/5 in WNC 1/6; WJW 1/6; MEI 1/14)

During their private mtg., Barak asks Clinton for a $17-b. military assistance package to ensure Israeli security in the event of a Golan withdrawal. (MM 1/4; MM, WP 1/5; NYT, WJW, WT, WP 1/6; SA 1/6 in WNC 1/7; MM 1/7; MEI 1/14)

In Beirut, Ahmad Raja Abu Kharub, a Palestinian refugee angered by Russia's war in Chechnya, fires 4 grenades at the Russian emb., killing a policeman, injuring 7 civilians before being killed by security forces. (ITAR-TASS, RL 1/3 in WNC 1/4; MM, WT 1/4; Interfax, ITAR-TASS, RL 1/4 in WNC 1/5; ITAR-TASS 1/5 in WNC 1/6; MM 1/6; RL 1/10 in WNC 1/11; MEI 1/14) (see 12/8)

Lebanese soldiers storm a village in the Diniyya region, where mbrs. of Takfir wa al-Hijra, on the run from authorities following their 12/31 attack, are hiding out. 11 Takfir mbrs., 2 civilians, 1 soldier taken hostage on 12/31, 3 other soldiers are killed in the clash. (SA 1/3 in WNC 1/4; MM, WP 1/4; AFP 1/4 in WNC 1/5; al-Nahar 1/5 in WNC 1/6; RL 1/7 in WNC 1/10; MEI 1/14; al-Safir 1/21 in WNC 2/1)

In Ramallah, a group of armed Palestinian youths fr. al-Amari refugee camp close off the Jerusalem-Ramallah road, roam downtown Ramallah, occasionally fire into the air in an attempt to pressure the PA into releasing a camp resident serving a life sentence in a PA jail. PA security forces disperse the youths, reopen the road, take up positions downtown to ensure residents safety. (AYM 1/4 in WNC 1/6)

PLO Refugees Affairs Dept. head `Asad `Abd al-Rahman arrives in Beirut to meet with PM Huss, visit Palestinian refugee camps. The 5-day trip aims to ease tensions btwn. refugees, the Lebanese government. (al-Safir 1/7, DUS 1/9 in WNC 1/10)

Unidentified assailants detonate a bomb in `Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp in s. Lebanon, causing damage but no injuries. (al-Safir 1/3 in WNC 1/4; MM 1/4)

In Ramallah, Israeli, PA final status teams meet but make no progress on the FAPS. The PA reportedly rejects Israel's demand that decision on final borders be based on Israel's security needs and continued Israeli sovereignty over settlements. (CSM 12/21)

Syrian FM Shara` stops in Beirut to brief Lebanese leaders on the Washington talks with Israel. (RL 12/20 in WNC 12/21)

Arafat arrives in Amman for 2-day visit to brief King Abdallah on talks with Israel, discuss Arab coordination in light of the resumption of the Syrian-Israeli talks. Arafat asks the king to intervene with Syria to improve PA-Syrian relations, encourage coordination on their negotiating tracks. Arafat would like hold a 5-way summit among Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the PA, Syria. (AYM, al-Quds 12/20 in WNC 12/22; al-Quds 12/21, JT 12/22 in WNC 12/23; AYM 12/21 in WNC 12/27; JT 12/28 in WNC 12/29)

Citing the "murky political situation" surrounding final status talks with Israel, Arafat postpones until 1/15 a crucial PLO Central Council (PLOCC) mtg., which was to take place on 12/20. (JT, al-Quds 12/19 in WNC 12/21; AYM 1/5 in WNC 1/6)

Pres. Clinton renews 6-mo. waiver of the Jerusalem Embassy Act, which calls on the U.S. to move its emb. in Israel fr. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem or face cuts to the State Dept. budget. (MM 12/22; WJW 12/30; JP 12/31)

Iraq rejects the UNSC plan for resuming arms inspections, easing sanctions. (NYT, WP, WT 12/19; MM 1/5; MEI 1/14)

In Beirut, Iran, Lebanon hold talks on expanding tourism, scientific, cultural exchanges. (IRNA 12/18 in WNC 12/20)

Secy. of State Albright says that mos. of behind-the-scenes contacts have narrowed gaps btwn. Syria, Israel on issues of territory, security, and future diplomatic, cultural, trade relations; the cumulative effect of the exchanges made each side confident that they now have a real chance to reach an agmt. (WP 12/13)

In Damascus, Syrian FM Shara` says that he is "so optimistic [as] to say that a few months could be enough to reach a peace agreement" with Israel. In Israel, PM Barak tells his cabinet he thinks an agreement could we reached in a few wks. (NYT, WT 12/13)

Egyptian FM Musa makes 1-day trip to Damascus to give Syrian FM Shara` a message fr. Pres. Mubarak to Pres. Asad, to discuss the peace process. (MENA 12/12 in WNC 12/13; NYT 12/13)

Vowing to block efforts by PM Barak to trade land for peace with Syria, Jewish settlers inaugurate new 390 unit neighborhood in Qatzrin, the largest Golan settlement. There are 17,000 settlers on the Golan. (CSM, WT 12/13)

Israel informs the PA that it will not release any Palestinian prisoners to mark Ramadan until Barak returns fr. talks with Shara` in Washington. Almost 2,000 Palestinians are still in Israeli jails. (AFP 12/12 in WNC 12/13)

In Beirut, Russian dep. FM Sredin holds talk with Lebanese PM Huss on the resumption of Syrian-Israeli talks. (ITAR-TASS 12/12 in WNC 12/13)

Secy. Albright briefs PM Barak on her mtg. with Syrian pres. Asad, then meets with Arafat in Ramallah. She presents both Barak and Arafat with a rough time line for concluding a FAPS. (MM 12/8; NYT 12/9; AYM 12/9 in WNC 12/14; MM 12/13; MEI 12/24)

Hrs. later in Washington, Pres. Clinton announces that Israel, Syria have agreed to resume negotiations. PM Barak, Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara` will hold an initial mtg. next wk. in Washington, to be followed immediately by intensive negotiations at an as yet undermined location. (MM 12/8; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/9; AFP, DUS, Interfax, MENA, RL, SA, XIN 12/9 in WNC 12/10; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/10; WP 12/13)

Pres. Clinton, PM Barak both phone Arafat to assure him that the resumption of the Syrian-Israeli track will not affect progress on the PA-Israeli track. (WP 12/9; AYM 12/9, 12/11 in WNC 12/14; MM 12/13)

Syrian pres. Asad phones Lebanese pres. Emile Lahoud, PM Huss to coordinate positions in advance of Syrian-Israeli talks. They agree that neither Syria nor Lebanon will make a separate peace with Israel. (NYT 12/9; RL 12/9 in WNC 12/10; NYT 12/10)

In light of the announcement on the Syrian-Israeli talks, Russia calls for multilateral talks, which began in 1992 but stalled in 1996, to resume as soon as possible; offers to host a steering comm. mtg. (Interfax 12/9 in WNC 12/10)

In Amman, 100s of Jordanian university students hold a rally to protest the government decision to deport 4 Hamas leaders on 11/21. (SA 12/9 in WNC 12/10)

In Beirut, a group calling itself the World Islamic Front urges attacks on Russian embs. worldwide to protest Russia's war in the breakaway Muslim republic of Chechnya. (SA 12/9 in WNC 12/10)

On the last leg of his regional tour, French FM Vedrine meets with Egyptian FM Musa in Cairo. Talks focus on resuming talks btwn. Israel, Syria. (MENA, RFI 11/13 in WNC 11/15)

In Beirut, Iranian, Lebanese officials hold talks on expanding bilateral relations. (IRNA 11/13 in WNC 11/15)

In the 3d such incident in a month, a bomb explodes in a church in Tripoli, Lebanon, causing damage but no injuries. No one claims responsibility. (RL 11/14 in WNC 11/15)

Israel's Internal Security M Ben-Ami meets with Arafat to discuss differences over the map for the 2d stage of the Wye II FRD. No agmt. is reached, but Ben-Ami says Israel plans to transfer 5% of land by 11/15. (MM 11/12; WP 11/13)

In Beirut, French FM Vedrine discusses the peace process, Palestinian refugees, possible unilateral Israeli withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon with Lebanese pres. Lahoud, PM Huss. (AFP, RFI, RL 11/12; RL 11/13 in WNC 11/15)

Turkey suffers its 2d massive earthquake in 3 mos. Since the epicenter is in the less populated mountain region of Duzce, fatalities are in the 100s, rather than the 1,000s. Israel, Greece are among the 1st nations to dispatch relief teams to aid in the rescue of survivors. (NYT, WP, WT 11/13; ATL 11/13 in WNC 11/15; CSM 11/15; MEI 11/26)

Islamic Jihad carries out 2d attack on IDF, SLA targets in s. Lebanon, causing no injuries. (RL 11/12 in WNC 11/15) (see 10/26)

Israeli cabinet approves plan for 2d stage of Wye II FRD. (MM, NYT 11/11)

In Beirut, Syrian heir apparent Bashar al-Asad, Lebanese pres. Lahoud reaffirm the unity of the Syrian and Lebanese tracks of the peace process, discuss resuming ties with Israel. (MM 11/11; RL 11/11 in WNC 11/12)

In Cairo, PSF West Bank head Jibril Rajub briefs Egyptian FM Musa on PA security concerns in the occupied territories. (MENA 11/10 in WNC 11/12)

Before dawn, the IDF moves into Havat Maon, forcibly evicts settlers fr. the enclave. (MM 11/10; MM, NYT, WT 11/11; CSM, MM 11/12; WJW 11/18)

First Lady Hillary Clinton arrives in Israel on a 2-day visit intended to boost her chances of winning a Senate seat in New York. (NYT, WP 11/12)

In s. Lebanon, an SLA soldier is wounded in a clash with Amal. (RL 11/10 in WNC 11/12)

Inside Israel, Arafat holds 3 hrs. of secret talks with Barak. After mtg. is leaked to the Israeli press, Barak's office says that the PM wants to establish a pattern of regular mtgs. with Arafat so that the 2 leaders can closely monitor negotiations. FM Levy, who heads Israel's final status team, is reportedly angry that he was not told about Arafat's visit in advance. (MM 9/17; NYT, WP, WT 9/18; WJW 9/23; JP, MEI 10/1)

Arafat appoints PA Culture and Information M `Abid Rabbuh to lead final status talks with Israel. Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas will oversee both the final status and interim negotiating teams, liaise btwn. teams and Arafat. Israel reportedly is not happy with the choice of `Abid Rabbuh, thinks he is an "extremist." (AFP 9/16 in WNC 9/17; WP 9/21, 9/22; MM 10/6, 10/26)

In Amman, Arafat, King Abdallah hold their 1st mtg. since the resumption of bilateral negotiations, agree to forge a common position on finals status issues. (JT 9/19 in WNC 9/21)

Barak's adviser for settlement affairs, Shilo Gal, says that some Jewish settlers in the West Bank may be forced to relocate some settlements may be dismantled under a final peace agmt. with the PA. For 20 yrs., Gal headed the Gush Etzion settlement council, which is opposed to Israeli withdrawals fr. the occupied territories. (MM, WP, WT 9/17; MEI 10/1)

Israel approves PA request to allow Ali Abu Mustafa, the dep. secy. gen. of the PFLP, to return to the occupied territories to live. (MM 9/16; WP 9/17; JP 9/24)

In Amman, Jordanian PM Rawabida, Israeli Regional Cooperation M Shimon Peres for talks on joint projects, promoting the economic objectives of the Jordan-Israel peace treaty and the greater peace process. (Petra-JNA 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

In Amman, Jordanian, Israeli communications Ms discuss bilateral ties, agree to link fiberoptic networks. (Petra-JNA 9/16 in WNC 9/17; JT 9/18 in WNC 9/21) (see 9/14)

In Beirut, retired Lebanese gen. Yasin Suwayd announces the formation of the National Comm. to Resist Normalization with Israel. (RL 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

An explosive charges goes off at a car parts store in `Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp in s. Lebanon, causing damage but no injuries. (VOL 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

In s. Lebanon, 1 IDF soldier, 1 civilian IDF employee are injured by Hizballah shelling. (AFP 9/16 in WNC 9/17)