The Palestine Chronology

PC special investigative comm. into PA corruption reads its report to the council; says up to $340 m. (half of the PA budget) has been misspent (including foreign aid donations), half of the EA mbrs. are implicated in misappropriation of funds, others are unqualified; calls on Arafat to dissolve the cabinet, put 3 EA mbrs. (Planning M Shaath, Civil Affairs M Jamil Tarifi, Transportation M Ali al-Qawasmi) on trial. The PC report's conclusions are nonbinding. (CSM, WP, WT 7/30)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak makes previously unannounced visit to Damascus to discuss the peace process with Pres. Asad, who expresses "no hope" under current conditions. Mubarak then heads to Amman to meet with King Hussein. (RJ, SANA 7/29 in WNC 7/30; RJ 7/29 in WNC 7/31; MM, WT 7/30; MEI 8/8)

In Amman, King Hussein, FM Tarawnah meet with Israeli FM Levy, say that they are optimistic that Netanyahu's decision to block Ras al-Amud development will jump-start the peace process. (RJ 7/29 in WNC 7/30, 7/31; WT 7/30)

EU special envoy Moratinos arrives in Damascus for 2 days of talks with FM Shara` on reviving the Syrian-Israeli talks. (RJ 7/31 in WNC 8/1)

Israeli commandos enter Tulkarm (area A) to capture an Islamic Jihad mbr. Ghassan Mahdawi, who had escaped fr. an Israeli prison in 8/96. (al-Quds 7/29 in WNC 7/31; MM 7/31; CSM, NYT 8/1; JP 8/2)

Nr. Elon Moreh settlement in the West Bank, a Palestinian stabs an IDF soldier in the shoulder, is shot and killed by a 2d soldier. (ITV 7/29 in WNC 7/30, 8/1; JP 8/9)

A poll of young bedouin in the Negev conducted by Bersheeba University shows that 48% believe that Israel does not have a right to exist, 70% prefer to go to jail than serve in the IDF, 70% believe the term "Palestinian" describes them, 45% prefer to live in Israel than in an Arab state or the West. (YA 7/29 in WNC 7/31)

Japan requests extradition of 5 Red Army mbrs. currently standing trial in Lebanon. (RL 7/29 in WNC 7/30) (see 6/9)

Military Action:

Rival militias battle in Tripoli; Druze militia surrounds Lebanese Army barracks in Hammana, warns army and police to keep off roads in Chouf mountains; in response to attacks by Lebanese National Resistance, IDF steps up security in and around Sidon; Syrian small-arms fire directed at IDF fortification on eastern front.

Casualties:

3 killed, many wounded in Tripoli fighting, shops close as armed men roam streets; 3 wounded by Nabatiyeh car bomb.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: 12 Bedouin men begin hunger strike in Israel to protest harassment by Green Patrol, demand talks with Ministry of Agriculture; Central Bureau of Statistics figures show $557m. trade deficit for first 2 months of 1983, nearly 20% higher than 1982; trial begins of two Kiryat Arba officials charged with illegal possession of explosives and destroying evidence police believe may be connected with June 1980 bomb attacks on West Bank mayors; 2 IDF injured by stones during incidents in East Jerusalem and Ramallah; general strike in Ramallah; Nablus market under curfew; Birzeit University reopens; 3 Birzeit students beaten, 1 detained by settlers; IDF uses helicopters to patrol West Bank; 35 Gaza youths sentenced by military tribunal to fines and suspended prison sentences for disturbing the peace by throwing stones last week; 6 teenagers in Ramallah sentenced to 6 to 8 months imprisonment and fined $400 to $900 for participating in recent disturbances; 3 girls in Ramallah convicted of stone-throwing, fined up to $2800 and given suspended prison terms; youth arrested in Jerusalem for wearing shirt in colors of Palestinian flag; special prayers held at Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa mosques to protest plot by Jewish zealots, uncovered by police last week, to seize Temple Mount.

Arab Governments: Egyptian-Israeli talks on normalization of trade and commercial relations, suspended since June, resume in Cairo.

US and Other Countries: Foreign Minister Salem tells Shultz and other officials in Washington, that Lebanese Army is capable of controlling all Lebanon, Israeli military presence is unnecessary; Shultz and Shamir meet for 5 hours, focus on possible use of international troops and increased US presence to meet Israeli security concerns in South Lebanon; Shamir delegation meets with Reagan, Bush, Weinberger, Shultz, Habib and Draper, Reagan reportedly emphasizes urgency of Israeli agreement to withdrawal terms; 10 IDF touring US to offset impression that Lebanon campaign was overly aggressive; US Ambassador to UN Kirkpatrick, in Israel for conference on Soviet Jewry, meets Begin; former President Carter meets King Hussein in Amman, says Israeli settlements in West Bank are illegal and an obstacle to peace.

Military Action:

Shell lands near Jordanian airliner at Beirut airport, fails to explode, Lebanese Army detains neighborhood residents.

Casualties:

UNRWA head says 73 Palestinian families have fled their homes in South Lebanon, says UN knows of 15 cases of murder.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin rejects settlement freeze, other Jordanian pre-conditions for entering talks; Eliahu Lankin refuses to accept post of Israeli ambassador to Britain; Israeli President Navon reportedly concerned about danger of civil war in Israel; Sharon files request with Treasury for a bureau in Tel Aviv and one in Jerusalem, in his capacity as Minister without Portfolio; IDF reports 5 Bedouin killed, 4 injured when their van hits land mine near kibbutz Zeelim in northwest Negev; Israel reported to have used more than 100 weapons systems in Lebanon that had not previously seen full-scale combat, such as F-15 and F-16 fighters, Sparrow AIM-7F missile; IDF reports recent demolition of four houses in Gaza belonging to Palestinians accused of throwing grenades in Tel Aviv and Gaza; bomb explodes outside mosque in Hebron, injuring two and damaging two cars.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese Cabinet meets to discuss Habib proposals, reportedly calling for two security zones in South Lebanon.

Arab Governments: Egyptian Foreign Ministry announces meetings next week with Israel to discuss Sinai border dispute over Taba, normalization of commercial relations.

US and Other Countries: State Department officials reportedly believe Arafat, after PNC, still has running room to continue dialogue with King Hussein; 40-page analysis of Israeli settlement policy, prepared by US Consul General in Jerusalem, recommends blocking each of five stages of settlement process if freeze is to be truly effective.