The Palestine Chronology

Iraq is delaying departure of 2,300 Soviet advisers working at oil and military installation, saying Baghdad will impose economic penalties on Moscow for breaching contracts; high-level Soviet delegation arrives in Baghdad to discuss situation [NYT 12/17; CSM 12/18].

Three DFLP fighters are killed, 3 Israeli soldiers are wounded in gunfight in S. Lebanon [IDF 12/16 in FBIS 12/18; NYT, MEM 12/17].

Sec. Baker says he still hopes Washington and Baghdad could agree on dates for direct talks; reiterates he would go to Iraq anytime between 12/20 and 1/3 [NYT, LAT, WP 12/17].

U.S. agrees to sponsor UN Sec. Council resolution condemning Israel's deportation notices to 4 Palestinians, asking for international protection for Palestinians, and giving qualified support for international peace conference to settle Palestine question [NYT 12/18].

Israeli D.M. Moshe Arens pledges to deport more Palestinians from o.t., renewing policy that draws criticism from U.S. [NYT, WT, WP 12/17].

Hamas issues pamphlet claiming responsibility for 12/14 killings in Jaffa; police arrest at least 300 additional Palestinians [NYT 12/17].

Pres. Bush says direct talks between U.S. and Iraq are "on hold" until Baghdad agrees to receive Sec. Baker no later than 1/3; Iraq echoes Bush statement saying talks have been postponed indefinitely, and wants Baker-Saddam meeting on 1/12 [NYT, LAT, WP 12/15].

Sec.-Gen. of GCC, Abdallah Beshara, a Kuwaiti, is quoted as saying Gulf crisis has underlined need for 6-member GCC to set up joint army and move towards "total unity" [MEM 12/14]. 

Algerian Pres. Chedli Benjedid flies to Muscat for meetings with Omani leaders about Gulf crisis [MEM 12/14].

Three Israelis are stabbed to death in an aluminum factory in Jaffa; widespread anti- Arab rioting follows while police search for 2 Palestinian suspects (cf. 12/15) LIDS 12/14 in FBIS 12/14, FBIS 12/17; MEM 12/14; NYT, LAT, WP 12/15; JPI 12/22; MET 12/25]