In London, PM Netanyahu ends unsuccessful 4-day EU tour to promote new peace initiative based on a Camp David-style summit with the PA, conditional s. Lebanon withdrawal. (MA 3/8, IDF...
Pres. Mubarak meets with Pres. Clinton, assures him Egypt will not lobby against U.S. efforts to renew NPT but still wants assurances fr. Israel. Clinton promises to push for nuclear-free Middle...
Israeli PM Rabin, Jordan's King Hussein sign "Washington Declaration" ending state of belligerency at White House ceremony with U.S. Pres. Clinton as witness. Declaration says sides "recognize...
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In London, PM Netanyahu ends unsuccessful 4-day EU tour to promote new peace initiative based on a Camp David-style summit with the PA, conditional s. Lebanon withdrawal. (MA 3/8, IDF Radio, MA, RJ 3/9 in WNC 3/10; CSM, MM, WP 3/9; MM 3/10) (see 2/23)
In Amman, Israeli Infrastructures M Sharon, Trade M Natan Sharansky meet with King Hussein to try to mend relations damaged after Mossad's attempt on Mishal, discuss economic issues. (Globes [Internet], JTV 3/8, IDF Radio 3/9 in WNC 3/10; NYT 3/9; RJ 3/9, JT 3/10 in WNC 3/11; JT 3/11 in WNC 3/12, JT 3/16 in WNC 3/17, JP 3/21) (see 2/24)
King Hussein makes brief trip to Cairo for talks on peace process with Pres. Mubarak. (JTV, MENA, RJ 3/8, RJ, VOA 3/9 in WNC 3/10)
Israel acknowledges that 18 mos. ago it began to make it harder for non-Jewish immigrants who have married Israelis to stay in the country by refusing to begin citizen proceedings or deporting them. Israel claims that cases of "convenience marriages" are on the rise, while critics claim it is a government policy of religious discrimination. (WP 3/9)
U.S. offers to lift restrictions on number of U.S. satellites it would hire Russia to launch if Moscow halts transfers of long-range missile technology to Iran. Russia denies transfers have taken place. (NYT 3/9; WT 3/10) (see 3/6)
UN Secy. Gen. Annan says that U.S. would need to consult with--but would not necessarily require authorization of--the UNSC before mounting a military strike on Iraq. (WP, WT 3/9; WT 3/12) (see 3/2)
PSF says that it recently uncovered a shop for making Uzi submachine guns in Gaza, does not know how many guns were made or sold. (QY, YA 3/8 in WNC 3/11)
PM Netanyahu replies to King Hussein 3/9 letter. (NYT, WP 3/12; MM, WJW, WT 3/13)
Netanyahu begins 3-day trip to Moscow, urges Russia not to arm Iran, Syria. (MM 3/10; ITAR-TASS [Moscow] 3/10 in WNC 3/13; WT 3/11)
In Washington, Egyptian pres. Mubarak, Pres. Clinton jointly criticize Israel's construction plans for East Jerusalem; disagree on the U.S. veto of the 3/7 UNSC res.; discuss ways of reviving talks btwn. Syria, Israel. (CSM, MM 3/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/11; MM, WJW 3/13; RE 3/14 in WNC 3/19; MEI 3/21)
In Tel Aviv, DM Mordechai, PA Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbuh, U.S. amb. Martin Indyk meet in a bid to ease tensions. (MM, NYT, WT 3/11; MM, WP, WT 3/12; WT 3/13; Vesti [Tel Aviv] 3/16 in WNC 3/20)
Nr. Hebron, 100 Palestinians try to stop Israeli workers fr. opening a road for Jewish settlers. 150 IDF soldiers beat them back with clubs, guns. (MM, NYT, WT 3/11; PR 3/14)
PA releases fr. Gaza jail 100 Hamas mbrs., including senior Hamas military figure Ibrahim Muqadima. Arafat again meets with Hamas political leaders. (MM 3/21; JP 3/22; WP 3/24; MM 3/25) (see 3/9)
Iranian FM Velayati arrives in Turkey to discuss improving bilateral relations. (IRNA, VIRI 3/10 in WNC 3/13; MM 3/19) (see 3/3)
Despite U.S. protests, the Vatican establishes full diplomatic relations with Libya. (NYT 3/11; WJW 4/17)
In s. Lebanon, a car bomb placed along a road frequented by IDF, SLA troops explodes, injuring 1 IDF soldier, 2 Lebanese children. (JP 3/22)
Pres. Mubarak meets with Pres. Clinton, assures him Egypt will not lobby against U.S. efforts to renew NPT but still wants assurances fr. Israel. Clinton promises to push for nuclear-free Middle East after Israel makes peace with all its neighbors. (WP 4/5; MENA, RE 4/5 in FBIS 4/6; CSM, NYT 4/6; MM 4/7; RE 4/7, 4/8 in FBIS 4/10; MEI 4/14)
Jordan's King Hussein meets with UN Secy. Gen. Butros Ghali, permanent UNSC mbrs. in New York, discusses NPT, peace process. Butros Ghali praises Jordan's role in negotiations. (JTV 4/5 in FBIS 4/6)
Raji Sourani is fired fr. Gaza Center for Rights and Law after he fails to comply with PA requests to stop criticizing Arafat. (MM 4/5; JP 4/5 in FBIS 4/5; WP 4/11; JP 4/17) (see 2/17)
PA arrests 5 mbrs of its intelligence service for 4/1 killing of prisoner accused of informing for Israel. (NYT 4/6)
PA arrests al-Nahar journalist Tahir al-Nunu after he publishes article suggesting 4/2 explosion could have been carried out by Israel, supported by PA. Also arrests 6 Hamas mbrs. in connection with explosion. (QY 4/5 in FBIS 4/6; CSM 4/6; al-Nahar 4/6 in FBIS 4/7; NYT 4/7)
PA arrests 10 Hamas mbrs. in connection with 4/2 bombing. (AFP, QY 4/5 in FBIS 4/5)
Israel launches 1st spy satellite to monitor Iran, Iraq, Libya, Syria. Syria condemns launch, says talks will suffer as a result. (QY 4/5 in FBIS 4/5; QY 4/5 in FBIS 4/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/6; JP 4/8; RMC 4/10 in FBIS 4/10; JP 4/15; JP 4/22; MM 4/28)
Israeli PM Rabin, Jordan's King Hussein sign "Washington Declaration" ending state of belligerency at White House ceremony with U.S. Pres. Clinton as witness. Declaration says sides "recognize their right and obligation to live in peace with each other." Agreement mandates direct telephone connections, linking of electrical grids, and immediate opening of 2 border crossings. Declaration also recognizes Hussein's "historic role" in safeguarding Muslim holy places in Jerusalem. Clinton calls Syrian Pres. al-Asad after ceremony, saying opportunity exists for progress in Israel-Syria talks. Later, Rabin and Hussein attend state dinner in their honor. (MM 7/25; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/26)
Israeli, Palestinian negotiators meet in Norway to discuss sharing of water resources. (Qol Yisra'el 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; WT 7/26)
PLO Chmn. Arafat swears in Judge Qusay al-Abadlah as PNA chief justice and head of supreme court. (Algiers VOP 7/26 in FBIS 7/27)
Kach movement holds paramilitary summer camp for youths at Qiryat Arba, including prayer at grave of Hebron killer Baruch Goldstein. Organizers avoid direct connection to Kach, outlawed after 2/25 massacre. (JP 7/25 in FBIS 7/27; WT 7/26)
Hizballah ambushes IDF patrol in southern Lebanon, killing 1 officer and wounding 13 soldiers. IDF tank unit pursues guerrillas to Yuhmur village. (RL 7/25, Qol Yisra'el 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; MM 7/26; WT 7/27)
UNSG Butrus Butrus-Ghali, in report to UNSC on renewal of UNIFIL mandate, orders study of how to reduce UNIFIL's 5,244-mbr. force. (WT 7/27)
Argentine officials blame Iran for 7/18 bombing of Buenos Aires Jewish center as confirmed death toll reaches 80. (NYT 7/26)
Israeli High Court of Justice accepts petition fr. Tsomet party to bar Yi'ud party fr. joining cabinet. Yi'ud made up of frmr. Tsomet mbrs. (MM 7/25)(see 7/12)
