The Palestine Chronology

After several days of talks with Syrian, Lebanese delegations but stand-off with Palestinian, Jordanian delegates, Israeli negotiators end current round of talks and leave Washington. New round scheduled for January. (MM 12/19)

As friction between IDF, settlers escalates over how to respond to Palestinian attacks on settlers, DM Arens meets with settlement leaders in Jerusalem, calls for halt to violent responses to such attacks. In a separate incident, representatives from settlements meet and decide to defy IDF roadblocks recently established to forestall intercommunal violence. Meeting also decided to establish "security patrols" to guard settlers. (Qol Yisra'el, HaAretz 12/18 in FBIS 12/18)

IDF troops encounter masked suspect amid large gathering of demonstrators in Gaza. Ensuing chase leaves one IDF officer, at least 10 Palestinians wounded. (NYT 12/19)

Turkey announces intent to improve diplomatic relations with Israel by replacing its charge d'affaires with an ambassador. Turkey also states intent to exchange ambassadors with Palestine. (MM 12/19)

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)

Washington Post reports that Pres. Bush waived sanctions against Israel, called for under U.S. law seeking to stop international transfers of ballistic technology, after U.S. intelligence determined that Israel exported missile components to South Africa. Bush reportedly took into account the fact that Israel recently agreed to adhere to the 1987 Convention for the Limitation of the Spread of Missile Technology when deciding not to punish Israel. Administration officials also stated that Bush did not wish to hurt Israel's position at upcoming peace conference by publicly punishing Israel at this time. (WP 10/27)

Six-member GCC announces willingness to participate in multilateral talks on regional issues, the third stage of the peace process. GCC earlier [10/19] stated it would attend opening ceremonies. (MEM 10/28)

Egypt announces delegation to peace talks. (MEM 10/28)

After meeting with Syrian FM al-Sharaa, Egyptian pres. Mubarak states multilateral discussions on regional issues, the proposed third stage of peace talks, should not begin before significant progress has been made during bilateral negotiations between Israel, Arabs. Syria has been pushing for delaying the third stage talks until Israel displays willingness to evacuate from the occupied territories. But Mubarak notes that no agreement on this point has yet been made among the Arabs despite the agreement to "coordinate" policies made at recent Arab foreign ministers meeting in Damascus [see 10/23, 10/24]. PLO Pol. Dept. Head Faruq al-Qaddumi, however, states that the foreign ministers did agree to link attendance at the multilateral discussions with Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories. Both statements come in wake of behind the-scenes struggle between Egypt and Gulf states on one hand, Syria on the other, over whether to proceed with multilateral talks before Arab-Israeli agreement isreached in bilateral talks. (MEM 10/28)

Israeli soldier seriously injured in Nablus when he is struck by a concrete block thrown from a roof. Another man on the roof is shot and wounded by Israeli troops. Security forces clamp a curfew on Nablus. (MEM 10/28)

The door of the American Cultural Center in Jerusalem burned by unknown persons, but a slogan painted nearby stating "America is the enemy-Kach" seems to implicate the ultra-nationalist Kach movement. (MEM 10/28)

U.S., Bahrain sign defense cooperation agreement. (MEM 10/28)

Chmn. Arafat meets Pres. al-Asad in Damascus, the first time the two bitter rivals have met since 1983. The two reportedly agree that the multilateral Arab-Israeli talks on regional cooperation, envisaged as the third-stage of the peace process, would be futile unless Israel agrees to withdraw from the o.t. (MEM 10/21)

Asad had earlier met with Soviet FM Pankin, while FM al-Sharaa received the U.S., Soviet ambassadors who issued invitation to attend the peace conference. Syria indicated it would formally respond to the invitation in a few days' time. (WP 10/20)

Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini submits list of 14 Palestinian delegates to peace conference to U.S. consul in Jerusalem. (WP 10/20)

Jordan formally accepts the U.S.-Soviet invitation to attend peace conference. (WP 10/20)

Gulf Cooperation Council Secy. Gen. 'Abdullah Bishara indicates he will head GCC delegation to peace conference. (AFP 10/19 in FBIS 10/21)

Israel reports it has received positive information that one of its five missing soldiers in Lebanon, Yossi Fink, is dead, in a move which may expedite the ongoing comprehensive prisoner-hostage exchange negotiations. (WP 10/20)

"International Conference in Support of the Islamic Revolution in Palestine" opens in Tehran with 800 delegates from 60 countries in attendance. PNC Speaker 'Abd al-Hamid Sa'ih, delegates from the main constituent PLO groups attend, as do representatives of Hamas, Islamic Jihad of Palestine [Fathi Shaqaqi], and groups within the Palestinian National Salvation Front. Iranian pres. Hashimi Rafasanjani declares Iran is willing to send troops to help establish a Palestinian state. (WP 10/20; MEM 10/21, 10/23)

In Jerusalem, Secy. of State Baker and Soviet FM Boris Pankin jointly announce that their governments have extended invitations to attend a Middle East peace conference to be held 30 October in Madrid. Israel, Egypt, Lebanon, Jordan, Syria, and Palestinian negotiators will attend the meeting, scheduled to be opened by Pres. Bush and Pres. Gorbachev. First stage of process will be a three-day opening conference, followed by face-to-face negotiations among the parties. A third stage of talks, dealing with regional issues, would include other Middle Eastern countries. Announcement comes in wake of Baker's meetings with PM Shamir and with Palestinian negotiators, who provide Baker with a partialist of Palestinian delegates who will participate in a joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation after PLO Central Committee approved Palestinian participation in joint delegation. But Israeli officials delay giving Baker a final answeregarding Israel's participation because they were not shown the list of Palestinians. Earlier in the day, Pankin and Israeli FM Levy announced that Israel, USSR are restoring full diplomatic relations. The move culminates four years of improved relations, which began with the establishment of consulates in 1987 and the emigration of over 300,000 Soviet Jews to Israel. (MEM 10/18; WP 10/19)

Syrian FM Faruq al-Sharaa confirms Syria will attend peace conference but will not participate in subsequent talks on regional issues unless Israel displays willingness to withdraw from occupied Arab territories [see 9/26]. Al-Sharaa also states he will not shake hands with Israeli delegates at conference. (MEM, WP 10/17)

Tunisia, Morocco indicate they will take part in peace conference as observers. (MEM 10/17)

Secy. of State Baker travels to Jerusalem, holds discussions with PM Shamir, Palestinian negotiators. Talks with Palestinians centered on Palestinian delegation to peace conference. Two sides continue to disagree over Israeli demand that such a delegation not include Palestinians from East Jerusalem, a demand which Baker has urged Palestinian negotiators to accede to in order that the Palestinians not be left out of the peace process. (WP 10/17)

PLO delegation in Amman reportedly reaches agreement with Jordanian government over composition of joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation under joint leadership of King Hussein and Chmn. Arafat. But Jordanian government states it has discussed the issue not with the PLO but "people from the occupied territories" in effort to stem Israeli objections to PLO role in choosing Palestinian delegates. (MEM 10/16; WP 10/17)

PLO Central Comm. meets in Tunis to discuss Palestinian participation in peace conference. (WP 10/17)

Clandestine al-Quds Palestinian Arab Radio reports statement has been issued in o.t. by PFLP-GC, Hamas, Fateh-Revolutionary Council [Abu Nidal], Islamic Jihad, Mujahid Islamic Trend, and Fateh-Uprising [Abu Musa] rejecting "conference of humiliation." (al-Quds Palestinian Arab Radio 10/16, in FBIS 10/17)

Israeli military court sentences Shaykh Aimad Yasin, founder of the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas), to life imprisonment for ordering the deaths of several alleged Palestinian collaborators. Yasin was arrested in May 1989. (NYT 10/17)

As Secy. of State Baker prepares to leave Amman for Jerusalem, King Hussein announces Jordan will participate in peace conference, support end to Arab League boycott in return for halt in settlement-building. Hussein states he has contacted Palestinians about joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation. Action brings together Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan in support of U.S.-led efforts to convene Middle East peace conference. Baker meets with Palestinian delegation (Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, and Zakariya al-Agha) in E. Jerusalem concerning formation of joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation to peace talks. Baker tells them PLO can have no direct relationship with Palestinian delegation to peace talks, nor can Palestinians from E. Jerusalem participate in initial stages of talks because of categorical Israeli refusal to accede to any gesture which might suggest that sovereignty of Jerusalem negotiable. Baker reaffirmed U.S. belief that E. Jerusalem is part of occupied territories, and that Palestinians alone have right to choose their own representatives. (NYT, WP, 7/22; MEM 7/23)

Baker next begins talks with Prime Min. Shamir in Jerusalem on peace talks in wake of numerous Arab commitments to agree to U.S.-proposed terms for such negotiations. Baker states that Arab assent to attend conference means willingness to engage in face-to-face negotiations with Israel. Pres. Bush again calls on Israel to curb settlement building, urges Israel to accept Arab offer to end economic boycott in return for settlement freeze. Seven Arab nations have now agreed to such linkage. (NYT, WP, MEM 7/22)

In interview with Egyptian press, British Prime Min. John Major calls Israeli settlements "illegal," "damaging" to peace process, including those in E. Jerusalem. (MEM 7/22) 

Following decades of Syrian commitment to confrontation, Pres. al-Asad agrees to attend Middle East peace conference in letter answering Bush's 6/1 letter to him urging flexibility in Syria's position toward Middle East peace talks. (WP, LAT 7/15; WP 7/17)

Contents of the letter were not revealed, but U.S. officials hinted that it accepted Bush's proposals on terms of peace conference, and that al-Asad apparently renounced his earlier demands for an active UN role and for the conference to remain in constant session. (MEM 7/16, 7/22)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets with King Hussein, Jordanian Prime Min. Tahir al-Masri, in Amman on U.S.-led peace efforts. (MEM 7/15)

Israel lifts trade sanctions against South Africa following similar U.S. decision. Ban on military contracts remains, although secret military deals continue. (LAT 7/15)

Israeli peace activist Abie Nathan arrested upon arrival in Israel following 6/29 meeting with Yasir Arafat in Tunis, an act which violates Israeli law. Nathan staged hunger strike in June to protest the law, under which he served 122 days in prison in 1990 for meeting Arafat. (MEM 7/15)

Israeli Peace Now movement wins legal battle to prevent establishment of Jewish cemetery in West Bank near Jerusalem. Defense ministry, religious affairs ministry informed Israeli high court of justice of their agreement tocancel proposal. (MEM 7/15)

After 3 days of talks in Damascus, presidents of Syria and Iran agree to allow armed Iranian-backed forces to remain in southern Lebanon near Israel's "security zone"; Lebanese Forces militia announces it is surrendering its weapons to Lebanese Army [MEM 4/29; NYT, MEM 4/30; DDS 4/29 in FBIS 4/30]. Joint Syrian-Iranian declaration stresses that Iran must play a role in Middle East security arrangements [MEM 4/30].

International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) says that Iraq has given detailed response to requests for more information about location of its nuclear materials [NYT 4/30; AFP 4/30 in FBIS 5/1]; but will not disclose whereabouts of materials that escaped allied bombing unless Baghdad is assured materials will not be destroyed [WP 5/1].

American section of World Jewish Congress calls for commutation of Jonathan Jay Pollard's life sentence for spying for Israel [WP 4/30].

Pres. Bush says U.S. will resist Iraq's UN request to have economic sanctions lifted so that Baghdad can begin selling oil for badly needed currency; Bush says exception would be made for food imports [WP 4/30].

Media report that Egypt is quietly repatriating most of its nearly 40,000 troops who were deployed in Gulf war (cf. 5/8) [AFP 4/30 in FBIS 4/30].

UNLU issues unnumbered leaflet blaming Israeli gov't. for purposely "striking at the tourist sector in Jerusalem and spreading biased propaganda regarding alleged risks to tourists" [MEM 5/1].

American troops move up to 30 miles further into Iraq. Marine Gen. Richard Neil says "the purpose is to maintain a presence until the cease-fire is agreed to." Move also appears to be part of Bush admin. effort to pressure Saddam Hussein not to use helicopters or chemical weapons against Kurdish rebels [LAT 3/15; NYT 3/16].

Pres. Asad tells Sec. Baker that Syria is "committed to a genuine peace" with Israel, according to U.S. officials, who interpret Asad's remark as fundamental change in Syrian policy. Sec. Baker flies to Moscow [LAT, NYT, WP 3/15; SANA 3/14 in FBIS 3/15].

Pres. Bush and Pres. Mitterrand meet in Martinique to discuss prospects for peace in Middle East and afterwards express optimism but give no specifics [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 3/15; AVP 3/15 in FBIS 3/18].

Emir of Kuwait returns to his country for 1st time since invasion [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 3/15; KUNA 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; MET 3/26].

U.S. Senate declares Saddam Hussein should be tried for war crimes, and bars use of any U.S. funds for rebuilding Iraq while Saddam remains in power. Senate Appropriations Committee approves $200 million to help Turkey cover its war costs as part of $15.8 billion-package that has already cleared House [LAT, WP 3/15].

Jerusalem city authorities plan to build, with approval of Religious Affairs Ministry and Israeli gov't., a Jewish cemetery outside of Jerusalem in the West Bank. Opponents say cemetery violates international rules governing use of occupied territory, and reflects attempt to make irreversible Israel's hold on o.t. [LAT 3/15].

Israel reimposes ban on Palestinians' entry into Jerusalem, decides to keep ban until beginning of next week (cf. 3/17) [JDS 3/14 in FBIS 3/14; MET 3/26].

In Jerusalem, Sec. Baker holds separate meetings with P.M. Shamir and group of 10 Palestinian leaders, led by Faisal Husseini, who hands him memo. Baker reportedly probes each side for points on which each might be flexible; reiterates "land for peace" formula to a noncommittal Shamir (cf. 3/13) [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 3/13; IDF, JDS 3/12, JPD, DAV 3/13 in FBIS 3/13; CSM 3/14; FJ 3/18; MET 3/26].

Kuwait military continues to transport hundreds of Palestinians, Jordanians, N.Africans, and Iraqis-arrested since liberation of Kuwait-to border with Iraq; several people claim to have been tortured and beaten by Kuwait military [LAT, WP 3/13].

Kurdish insurgents in northern Iraq claim further territorial gains and accuse Baghdad of taking 5,000 Kurdish women and children as hostages [LAT, WP, CSM 3/13].

Syria announces it has freed all Palestinians held in its jails. Beirut radio says 302 prisoners were released; PLO reports more than 4,000 Palestinians in Syrian jails (cf. 3/13) [LAT, WP 3/13; BVL 3/12 in FBIS 3/18; MET 3/26].

North Korea has delivered to Syria about 24 SCUD missiles along with mobile launchers, according to U.S. officials [WT 3/13].

World Health Organization reports Baghdad's water supplies are at 5% of prewar levels; Iraqi Red Crescent says cholera and typhoid cases are beginning to appear [LAT 3/13].

King Hussein says that Jordan will never agree to be a substitute for PLO in peace talks with Israel, but if Palestinian leadership asked Jordan to join talks, it would do so [NYT 3/13].

Kuwaiti gov't. officials say joint U.S.-British air base will be built on Kuwait's Bubiyan Island as part of postwar security arrangements [WT 3/13].

U.S. troops begin leaving Gulf; Def. Sec. Cheney says U.S. will return average of 5,000 troops per day over next few weeks [LAT, WP, CSM 3/8; MET 3/19].

En route to Saudi Arabia as part of 11-day Middle East tour, Sec. Baker says he will propose series of "confidence-building measures" between Israel and Arab states to open path to broader peace talks [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 3/8].

In Kuwait, at least 2 Palestinians have been shot dead and 5 others hospitalized from beatings and shootings, as Palestinians raise concerns about reprisals against their community in Kuwait [LAT, NYT, WP 3/8].

Israeli gov't. rejects Pres. Bush's call for solution to Arab-Israeli conflict that includes trading land for peace; F.M. David Levy says attempts to pressure Israel are not welcome [LAT, WT 3/8; JDS, IDF, PDS 3/7, MAA 3/8 in FBIS 3/8]; in separate statements, PLO and Egypt welcome what they call "positive elements" in Pres. Bush's 3/6 speech [AVP, MENA 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; MEM 3/7].

Palestinian journalist Taher Shriteh, jailed without charge on 1/28/91, is freed on bail after international campaign to gain his release (cf. 3/11) [NYT, MEM 3/8; AFP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11; MET 3/19].

House of Representatives votes to authorize $15.8 billion to pay for Gulf war, and also $650 million for Israel, and warns other nations that Congress "may consider appropriate action" if promised payments are not made [NYT, WP, WT 3/8].

Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar selects Switzerland's ambassador to Washington, Edouard Brunner, asspecial Middle East envoy to begin new high-priority search for solution to Arab-Israeli conflict [WP 3/8].

Palestinian leaders representing Fateh, PFLP, and DFLP, but not Hamas, meet in Jerusalem with visiting EC "troika" representatives including Italian F.M. Gianni de Michelis; EC ministers also meet with Israeli P.M. Shamir and D.M. Arens, then depart for Jordan [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; FJ 3/11; MET 3/19].

Border policeman in Nablus is stabbed, wounded; attacker escapes and army imposes curfew on Nablus and adjacent refugee camps [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/8]; 30 Palestinians are detained in Jerusalem after IDF opens fire on demonstrators [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/11].

Syria and Saudi Arabia sign wide-ranging cooperation agreement which both nations say was sign of desire to foster closer relations [MEM 3/8].

Italian F.M. de Michelis is quoted as calling for "internal revolt in the Palestinian [resistance] movement" now that PLO has "ruled itself out" of peace negotiations [MEM 3/7].