The Palestine Chronology

The 2-wk. period for the PA to consider Barak's proposals for a delay in Wye implementation ends. Erakat, Sher meet to discuss the FRD timetable, but reach no agmt. (MM 8/11, 8/12; al-Quds 8/12 in WNC 8/13)

Israeli Justice M Beilin travels to Washington to deliver a message fr. Barak to Secy. of State Albright, also meets with NSA Berger, Atty. Gen. Janet Reno. Albright tells Beilin that the U.S. believes that Israel should carry out the Wye FRD as agreed but would accept "modest adjustments" in the timetable if the PA approved. (MM 8/11; Xinhua 8/12 in WNC 8/13; MM 8/13)

Israeli PM Barak phones Pres. Clinton to discuss ways to make Secy. of State Albright's upcoming tour of the Middle East "productive." (MM 8/11; WT 8/12)

Israel's Office of the Judge Advocate General issues a legal opinion stating that 30 of the 42 settlement enclaves established since the Wye agmt. was signed in 10/98 are illegal. (MM 8/12)

Israel's Interior Min. demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in the Wallaja neighborhood of Jerusalem, sparking clash btwn. Israeli police, Palestinians in which 1 policeman is injured. (JP [Internet] 8/12)

In Gaza, the PLO Central Council (PCC) opens debate on statehood declaration, with 96 of 124 mbrs. attending. Arafat opens the mtg. by affirming Palestinians' right to independence, but recommending against declaring a state on 5/4. Hamas sends a 4 mbr. observer group led by Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, marking 1st time it has participated in a PLO mtg.; the move is criticized by Hamas political leaders in Jordan. Islamic Jihad, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine boycott. (MM 4/27; AFP, IDF Radio, JT 4/27 in WNC 4/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/28; IDF Radio, MBC 4/28 in WNC 4/29; al-Ayyam 4/28, 4/29 in WNC 5/3; PR 4/30; MEI 5/7; al-Istiqlal 5/7 in WNC 5/17; CSM 5/17)

In Nablus, 1,000 Fatah mbrs. march in support of a statehood declaration on 5/4. (WT 4/28)

A Palestinian arrested by Israeli police on burglary charges on 4/27 is admitted to a Tel Aviv hospital having been beaten so severely that one of his kidneys stopped functioning. (Reuters [Internet] 5/6)

Without explanation, the GIS orders the Hamas weekly newspaper al-Risala closed "until further notice." Under pressure fr. unnamed PA officials, the paper is allowed to reopen several hrs. later. (AFP 4/27 in WNC 4/28; al-Hayat al-Jadida 4/29 in WNC 5/3; PR 4/30)

In Geneva, the UN Human Rights Commission passes (52-1) a resolution reaffirming the Palestinians' right to self-determination, right to return. The U.S. votes against. (ADC press release 4/28; Xinhua 4/28 in WNC 4/29; Prime Minister's Report 4/30) (see 4/23)

Israel claims that the PA has released 3 Hamas prisoners involved in attacks in which Israelis were killed. PA, Hamas deny the story. (IDF Radio 4/27 in WNC 4/28; NYT, WP 4/28; al-Ayyam 4/28 in WNC 4/29; PR 4/30; JP 5/7)

In Washington, Israeli DM Moshe Arens meets with Secy. of State Albright, NSA Berger, Secy. of Defense Cohen for talks on Arrow missile program, Israeli receipt of 60 new F-16D fighters, regional issues. Albright, Berger criticize Israeli settlement policy. (USIS Washington File 4/27; MM 4/28; IDF Radio, MA 5/3 in WNC 5/4; WJW 5/6; JP, MEI 5/7)

Lebanese security personnel arrest an Israeli woman, Mary Vizeman, on suspicion of spying after she is found in Tyre without a passport. Vizeman, who speaks Arabic well, claims that she came fr. Nazareth to visit a friend in Beirut. (VOL 4/28 in WNC 4/29; JP 5/7)

Hizballah attempts to capture 2 IDF/SLA posts in s. Lebanon, wounding 8 IDF soldiers, 3 SLA mbrs. IDF shells Hizballah targets in response, wounding 2 civilians. (VOL 4/27 in WNC 4/28; MM 4/28)

Arafat stops in Ghana, Nigeria for consultations on unilateral declaration of Palestinian state issue before concluding his 56 nation consultative tour. (Ghana Broadcasting Corporation Radio Network, NTA Television Network [Lagos] 4/25 in WNC 4/27)

In Amman, Israeli PM candidate and fmr. DM Mordechai meets unofficially with King Abdallah. (JT 4/26 in WNC 4/27)

Israeli pres. Weizman, trade delegation arrive in China for 1 wk. visit. (Xinhua 4/25, 4/26 in WNC 4/27; Globes [Internet] 4/28 in WNC 4/29)

Iran, Qatar hold talks on expanding bilateral relations. (IRNA 4/25 in WNC 4/27)

Israeli police shut Palestinian Prisoners Club office in East Jerusalem that Israel alleges was being used by the PA in violation of Oslo. (al-Quds 4/26 in WNC 4/29) (see 4/22)

Israel officially charges Shin Bet undercover agent Avishai Raviv with failure to prevent assassination of PM Yitzhak Rabin, conspiracy, support for a terrorist organization. (NYT, WP, WT 4/26; JP 4/30) (see 11/18/95)

U.S., Britain complain that for several mos., Syrian trucks have been smuggling Iraqi oil out of Iraq in violation of UN sanctions, perhaps in a barter arrangement in exchange for Syrian goods. U.S., Britain have asked the Syrian government to block shipments, but volume appears to be increasing, with 100s of tankers/wk. now entering Syria. The degree of direct Syrian government involvement in the smuggling cannot be confirmed. (NYT 4/26; MM 4/30)

Israeli FM Sharon suggests that 5/17 elections be postponed to form a unity government dedicated to a pullout fr. s. Lebanon. PM Netanyahu rejects the idea. (MM 3/3; IDF Radio 3/3 in WNC 3/4; MM, NYT 3/4; MM 3/5; NYT 3/6) (see 3/2)

Israeli police question FM Sharon on suspicion that he bribed a fmr. gen. to give false testimony on his behalf in a libel case. (NYT, WP 3/4; JP 3/12)

Israel names 1st Arab judge to the High Court. `Abd al-Rahman Zuabi will hold the bench for 9 mos. as temporary appointee. (WP 3/4; WJW 3/11; JP 3/12)

IDF lifts closure on the occupied territories imposed on 2/27. (PR 3/5)

Jordan reopens its emb. in Kuwait. Kuwait lifts its band on Jordanian workers. (Xinhua 3/3 in WNC 3/5; MM, NYT 3/4; Shihan 3/27 in WNC 3/29) (see 3/1)