The Palestine Chronology

King Hussein, U.S. VP Gore meet in Amman. King criticizes congressional decision to cut Jordan's debt forgiveness. Gore promises U.S. will forgive all debt. (JTV, RJ 3/21, RJ 3/22 in FBIS 3/22; WP, WT 3/22; JP 4/1) (see 3/3, 3/13)

Israeli Dep. FM Beilin, Egyptian FM Musa meet in Cairo, say relations have improved since Knesset delegation visit 3/19. Beilin says Egypt now better understands Israel's security needs, NPT argument has abated. (QY 3/21 in FBIS  3/22)

In Beersheba, Israeli police arrest 2 Hamas mbrs., 1 Israeli bedouin with explosives-rigged truck with Gaza plates. Pair confesses to planning suicide attack. PM Rabin cancels mtg. with PA scheduled for 3/22 to discuss release of Palestinian prisoners, bans all vehicles with Gaza license plates fr. entering Israel. (MM 3/21; QY 3/21 in FBIS 3/21; CSM, MM, WP 3/22; NYT 3/23; IDF Radio 3/23 in FBIS 3/23; PR 3/26; MM 3/27; JP 4/1)

10 Damascus-based Palestinian opposition groups close 2-day mtg. to assess peace process, PA administration, possible relations with PNG (see 2/21). PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. al-Qaddumi says he will head delegation to Damascus in next wk. to try to reach a conciliation agmt. with these groups. (al-Ray 3/23, QY 3/24 in FBIS 3/24)

U.S. VP Gore arrives in Cairo for 3-day visit. (MENA 3/19, 3/20 in FBIS 3/20; RJ 3/19 in FBIS 3/21)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak receives delegation of Knesset mbrs. in Cairo, discusses NPT, recent Israeli statements against Egypt, ways of advancing peace process. (MENA 3/19 in FBIS 3/20; MM 3/20; MENA 3/20 in FBIS 3/21)

PM Rabin allows another 3,150 permits for Palestinian workers, bringing number allowed entry into Israel to 24,150. (QY 3/19 in FBIS 3/20; WP 3/20)

Unidentified gunmen ambush Israeli bus in Hebron, West Bank, killing 2, wounding 5 Jewish settlers. Settlers fr. Kiryat Arba riot, destroy Palestinian shop, cars before IDF intervenes, sets 24-hr. curfew. (QY 3/19, 3/20 in FBIS 3/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/20; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 3/21; WJW 3/23; MM 3/27; MEI 3/31; JP 4/1)

 2 Palestinians die in explosion nr. Jenin. IDF says bomb they were making exploded, causing accident. (NYT 3/20)

IDF shells Amal positions in s. Lebanon, hits Nepalese UNIFIL contingent, killing 1 UN soldier. (RL 3/20 in FBIS 3/20)

PM Rabin reiterates offer to Syria of  "very small" withdrawal fr. Golan in exchange for 3-yr. period to "test" full normalization, open border, exchange of embassies. Pres. al-Asad rejects proposal again, encourages U.S. to offer new ideas to activate talks. Both say if there is no progress by this summer, there will be little hope for an agmt. before 1996 Israeli, U.S. elections. (WT 3/6; RMC 3/5, 3/6 in FBIS 3/6; MM, WT 3/7; MM 3/8; WJW 3/9)

Annual IDF intelligence assessment is presented to Israeli cabinet. Report is pessimistic about securing peace with Syria, says Arafat is not asserting his authority in Gaza, finds probability for war low but says violent acts will likely increase. (MM, WT 3/6; QY 3/5, HA, JP, QY 3/6 in FBIS 3/6; WJW 3/9; JP 3/11)

Arafat, Israeli Police M Shahal meet to discuss "pending issues." IDF claims Arafat also transmitted message fr. Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein to PM Rabin expressing willingness to sign peace treaty with Israel. PA denies claim. (MM 3/6; al-Sharq al-Awsat 3/6 in FBIS 3/7)

Senate Foreign Affairs Comm. Chairman Jesse Helms calls for abolition of all foreign aid; asks that $3 b. aid to Israel become part of defense budget; claims similar plan was proposed by Secy. of State Christopher but was shot down by VP Al Gore, Dep. Secy. of State Strobe Talbott, Undersecretary of State Tim Wirth. (WT 3/6) (see 3/3)

Israeli ships enforcing naval blockade of s. Lebanon fire on Adlun port, south of Tyre, killing 1 fisherman. (QY, RL 3/5 in FBIS 3/6)