PM Netanyahu, DM Mordechai, Infrastructures M Sharon secretly fly to Amman to discuss attack on Hamas's Mishal. King Hussein refuses to meet them, sends Crown Prince Hassan instead. (NYT 10/10) (...
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September 28, 1997
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June 18, 1997
EU special envoy Moratinos arrives in Syria. (SANA 6/18 in WNC 6/19)
In Washington, U.S. cosmetics heir Ron Lauder holds confidential mtg. with Syrian Amb. Moualem to discuss ways of...
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May 22, 1997
Senate Foreign Relations Chmn. Jesse Helms (R-NC), House International Relations Comm. Chmn. Benjamin Gilman (R-NY) send letter to Secy. of State Albright, saying that they will oppose all aid to...
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January 20, 1997
The Senate Foreign Relations Comm. votes unanimously to confirm Albright as secy. of state. The full Senate will vote on her nomination 1/22. (WP 1/21) (see 12/5)
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November 5, 1996
Pres. Clinton wins reelection. Republican majority grows in Senate (fr. 53 to 54). Democrats gain seats in House (fr. 197 to 205) but remain in minority (compared to 225 Republicans). (NYT, WP, WP...
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January 26, 1996
Syria, Israel end 3 days of talks in Maryland, reportedly hit an impasse. Israeli Environmental M Sarid blames FM Barak. (MM 1/25, 1/26; QY, SARR 1/26, IDF Radio 1/27, HA, MA, QY, YA 1/28 in FBIS...
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January 2, 1996
CEC declares campaign for Palestinian Council officially open. (NYT 1/4)
3 Hamas mbrs. withdraw their candidacy as independents under pressure fr. the organization. (CSM 1/4) (see 12/30)...
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October 25, 1995
IDF begins redeployment fr. Janin, 60 surrounding villages. 1st 10 Palestinian policemen arrive in Janin to crowds of Palestinian well-wishers. (MM 10/25; VOP 10/25 in FBIS 10/25; NYT, WP 10/26;...
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July 9, 1995
U.S. Senate delegation, accompanied by U.S. Consul Gen. Edward Abington, visits Arafat, discusses status of talks with Israel. Arafat then briefs Australian FM Gareth Evans on negotiations, the...
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June 7, 1995
In Cairo, Israel, PA close 2-day round of talks on expanding self-rule, reach draft agmt. on transferring responsibilities for labor to PA. (MENA 6/7 in FBIS 6/8; CSM 6/9)
IDF dismantles a...
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May 10, 1995
White House sends warning to 3 Democratic senators (Daniel Inouye, cosponsor of Dole bill, D. Patrick Moynihan, Joseph Lieberman) that moving U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem would have "a...
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May 9, 1995
Housing M Ben-Eliezer says Israel will go ahead with confiscations of Arab-owned lands despite growing outcry; land will be expropriated as part of 5-yr. plan to build 30,000 new apartments in...
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March 27, 1995
Syria's Amb. Mu`allim, Israeli Amb. Rabinovitch reopen negotiations in Washington without military advisors, focus on depth of demilitarization, with Syria still insisting demilitarized zone be on...
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March 23, 1995
PM Rabin tells VP Gore Israel will not discuss a Middle East nuclear-free zone until it has peace agmts. with all its neighbors, Iran; hints Israel will not meet 7/1 deadline on elections talks...
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March 3, 1995
Israel issues 3,500 permits for Palestinian workers to enter Israel, raising total number to 18,500. Permits will go to married men over 30, tourism workers over 25. (QY 3/3 in FBIS 3/3; WP 3/4)...
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August 10, 1994
PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin hold 90-minute summit mtg. at Erez crossing, Gaza Strip. Israel agrees to open safe passages btwn. Gaza and Jericho, permit 6,000 more Palestinian workers...
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June 15, 1994
Multilateral working group on economics meets in Rabat, Morocco. 5th session of group involves delegations fr. 46 countries. (MAP 6/16 in FBIS 6/20)
Saudi Fund for Development,...
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June 1, 1994
Palestinians protesting 5/31 killing in al-Ram attack police station in Ramallah with rocks and bottles. IDF fires tear gas, rubber bullets, live ammunition in response, wounds 17 Palestinians, 1...
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March 17, 1994
2 IDF guards at Haram al-Ibrahimi tell commission of inquiry they fired into door leading to mosque, contradicting officers' testimony and confirming accounts by Palestinians that soldiers fired...
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February 22, 1994
FM Peres criticizes some settlements in Gaza Strip as "totally illogical," saying Netzarim "has no agricultural importance, no economic importance, no security importance." (MM 2/22)
15...
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February 7, 1994
PLO Chmn. Arafat, Israeli FM Peres open talks in Cairo aimed at implementing Palestinian autonomy in Gaza and Jericho. Both sides report progress. (MENA 2/7, 2/8 in FBIS 2/8; WP, WT 2/8)
...
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January 28, 1994
U.S. Senate approves 93-0 amendment to State Dept. authorization bill that would ban U.S. arms sales to countries blacklisting U.S. companies as part of Arab boycott of Israel. Measure would allow...
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January 18, 1994
Israel-PLO talks on implementing DoP resume in Taba, Egypt. (MENA 1/18 in FBIS 1/18; WT 1/19)
Secy. of Defense-designate Adm. Bobby Inman holds press conference to announce 1/6 withdrawal...
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December 16, 1993
IDF seals off 4 settlements nr. Nablus and prevents procession of settlers fr. bringing Torah scrolls to Jewish religious center in Nablus. 15 settlers arrested. New orders, issued 12/12 but only...
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November 20, 1993
U.S. Senate approves by voice vote resolution urging Arab League to end boycott of Israel. (WJW 11/25)
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July 6, 1993
U.S. Middle East coordinator Dennis Ross meets in Moscow with Deputy FM Yossi Beilin prior to visiting Middle East to discuss U.S. proposals on peace process. (Ha Aretz 7/7 in FBIS 7/7)
FM...
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July 1, 1993
10th round of peace talks ends in Washington. Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi expresses "strong resentment" of "totally unacceptable" current U.S. working paper. (RMC 7/1 in FBIS 7/1; WP 7/2...
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June 23, 1993
U.S. House of Representatives passes 273-144 H.R. 2333, the "State Department, USIA, and Related Agencies Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995." Bill, passed on to Senate, includes $80m...
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October 23, 1992
Palestinian delegation announces its consent that UNSC 242 "not be applied in the negotiations in the transitional phase," but insisted that it be applied in the final settlement stage of talks. (...
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September 18, 1992
Ten Palestinian factions meet in Damascus, issue statement rejecting the autonomy plan being negotiated by the mainstream PLO and o.t. delegation, calling for confrontation against it. (Voice of...
PM Netanyahu, DM Mordechai, Infrastructures M Sharon secretly fly to Amman to discuss attack on Hamas's Mishal. King Hussein refuses to meet them, sends Crown Prince Hassan instead. (NYT 10/10) (see 9/25)
U.S. Secy. of State Albright, Israeli FM Levy, Arafat adviser Abbas meet on the sidelines of the UNGA session in New York. (NYT, WP, WT 9/29; MEI 10/10)
Egyptian pres. Mubarak receives Israeli pres. Weizman in Alexandria. (MENA 9/28 in WNC 9/30; MM 9/29; JP 10/11)
PM Netanyahu tells his cabinet that he has spotted the "first, preliminary steps" by the PA to crack down on Islamists; releases $17 m. of tax money withheld fr. the PA since the 7/30, 9/4 bombings; allows 8,000 more Palestinian workers into Israel. (CSM, NYT, WT 9/29)
At a Labor convention, party leader Ehud Barak asks forgiveness fr. Sephardic Jews for the way the party treated them in the early years of statehood. (NYT 9/30; JP 10/4; MM 10/22)
IDF demolishes 53 dwellings of 70 Jahalin bedouin families, a school nr. Azariyya in Jeruslem. (PHRIC 10/21) (see 8/19)
The 3 companies fr. France, Malaysia, Russia sign $2 b. deal to explore for gas in Iran, challenging for the 1st time a 1996 law sponsored by Sens. Alfonse D'Amato (R-NY), Edward Kennedy (D-MA) requiring the U.S. to impose sanctions on any company that violates a 1996 law against investing more than $40 m. in Iran. (NYT 9/29; NYT, WP, WT 9/30; NYT 10/1; MEI 10/10) (see 7/26)
In Tehran, Iran, Jordan discuss expanding bilateral relations in trade, tourism, transportation. (RJ 9/28 in WNC 9/30; JT 10/1 in WNC 10/2)
500,000 Israeli workers honor an 8-hr. strike called by Histadrut to protest the Likud government's refusal to honor a Labor-initiated pension plan. (WT 9/28, 9/29)
EU special envoy Moratinos arrives in Syria. (SANA 6/18 in WNC 6/19)
In Washington, U.S. cosmetics heir Ron Lauder holds confidential mtg. with Syrian Amb. Moualem to discuss ways of restarting the Syrian-Israeli talks, then briefs Secy. of State Albright. Israel's Dir. of Policy Planning Bar-Ilan says that the mtg. was not authorized, but was welcome, by Israel. (MM 7/7)
Israeli finance M Dan Meridor, a Likud mbr., resigns, saying he has lost faith in Netanyahu's leadership, the PM deliberately sabotaged his agreement with the Bank of Israel for currency liberalization. (MM 6/18; Globes [Internet], ITV 6/18 in WNC 6/19; MM, NYT, WJW, WP, WT 6/19; YA 6/19 in WNC 6/20; Globes [Internet] 6/19 in WNC 6/23; ITV 6/19, MA 6/20 in WNC 6/23; Globes [Internet] 6/19 in WNC 6/24; CSM, MM 6/20; WP 6/26; MEI 6/27)
Sen. Mitch McConnell (R-KY), Senate Appropriations Subcomm. chmn., announces that the subcomm. will forward legislation to the full Appropriations Comm. without the annual $2.1 b. in foreign aid to Egypt; says Egypt is obstructing the peace process by refusing to attend multilateral talks, refusing Pres. Clinton's invitation to Washington 9/96, leading the effort to reimpose the Arab boycott, moving closer to Libya. State Dept. says that the administration stands behind its foreign aid request. (al-Wafd 6/20, al-Quds al-Arabi 6/23 in WNC 6/25; WT 6/21; MM 6/25; MM 8/14)
Syrian VP Khaddam arrives in Iran for talks with Pres. Rafsanjani on the peace process, Turkish intervention in n. Iraq, 6/10 House decision. (IRNA 6/18 in WNC 6/19; SA 6/19 in WNC 6/20)
After 11 mos. in office. Turkish PM Erbakan turns his resignation into Pres. Suleyman Demirel, says he is willing to enter a new coalition under Ciller. Legally it is Demirel who must ask Ciller to form a new government; he has not stated if he will abide by the new coalition arrangement. (AFP 6/18 in WNC 6/19; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/19; MEI 6/27) (see 6/13)
UN Secy. Gen. Annan accepts a U.S. deal (passed by the House 6/11, the Senate 6/17) under which the UN would agree to reduce U.S. dues to 20% of the total budget by 1999, reduce U.S. peacekeeping to 25% by 1999, tighten the UN budget, reduce staff in exchange fr. the U.S. paying off $819 m. of its $1.3-b. debt over 3 yrs. The draft legislation must now be approved by the full Congress. (WT 6/19)
In Hebron, IDF clashes with Palestinians for 5th straight day, wounding 5. (MM 5/18; NYT 6/19; MEI 6/27)
In s. Lebanon, 3 SLA soldiers, 1 civilian are killed, 2 civilians are wounded by a roadside bomb. Israel blames Hizballah; responds by making in incursion into Jazzin, far n. of the self-declared security zone, arresting a number of youths, including a Lebanese soldier; submits complaint to ILMG, accusing Hizballah of planting the bomb. (VOL 6/18 in WNC 6/19; MM 6/26; MEI, MM 6/27)
Senate Foreign Relations Chmn. Jesse Helms (R-NC), House International Relations Comm. Chmn. Benjamin Gilman (R-NY) send letter to Secy. of State Albright, saying that they will oppose all aid to the PA until they are assured that it had no role in the deaths of 2 Palestinian land dealers. (WT 5/23) (see 5/18, 5/21)
U.S. Consul Gen. Edward Abington visits Palestinian-American journalist Kuttab in PA's Ramallah jail; says U.S. is concerned over his detention without charge, he does not appear to have been mistreated. (WT 5/23; MM 5/27) (see 5/21)
Syrian VP Khaddam leaves Bahrain after brief visit, returns to Syria after having traveled to the UAE, Yemen. (WAKH [Manama] 5/22 in WNC 5/23; SATN 5/22 in WNC 5/27; al-Sha`b 5/23 in WNC 5/31) (see 5/21)
The Senate Foreign Relations Comm. votes unanimously to confirm Albright as secy. of state. The full Senate will vote on her nomination 1/22. (WP 1/21) (see 12/5)
Pres. Clinton wins reelection. Republican majority grows in Senate (fr. 53 to 54). Democrats gain seats in House (fr. 197 to 205) but remain in minority (compared to 225 Republicans). (NYT, WP, WP 11/5; MM, WP 11/6; MM 11/7)
U.S. submits to Israel, PA a document proposing solutions to the remaining security-related disagreements on the Hebron arrangement. (ITV 11/5 in WNC 11/7)
In Naqura, ILMG discusses Lebanese complaint over IDF shelling 11/3 that wounded a Lebanese civilian. Syria, Lebanon demand that Israel allow 23 Lebanese civilians, who were recently deported fr. the self-declared security zone by the SLA, to return to their homes. Deportation issues are not technically under ILMG's mandate, but conferees agree that any issue of common interest may be discussed. (RL 11/5 in WNC 11/6; RL 11/7 in WNC 11/8) (see 10/18)
Syria, Israel end 3 days of talks in Maryland, reportedly hit an impasse. Israeli Environmental M Sarid blames FM Barak. (MM 1/25, 1/26; QY, SARR 1/26, IDF Radio 1/27, HA, MA, QY, YA 1/28 in FBIS 1/29; WT 1/27; MM 1/29; JP 2/3)
Without admitting responsibility, Israel gives $400,000 in restitution to widow of Moroccan man (mistakenly believed to be PLO intelligence chief Hassan Salameh) allegedly killed by Mossad agents in Norway in 1973. (NYT, WP 1/27)
Congress passes (371-42 House, 82-8 Senate) 1996 foreign appropriations bill as part of continuing resolution to fund the government through 3/15. Resolution allows full payment to Israel within 2 wks. of $3 b. in civilian and military aid, $80 m. for refugee resettlement; includes provisions giving Israel equal-to-NATO status for stockpiling of U.S. weapons, preventing U.S. defense contractors fr. legally overcharging Israel. (QY 1/28 in FBIS 1/29; JP 2/3, 2/10)
CEC declares campaign for Palestinian Council officially open. (NYT 1/4)
3 Hamas mbrs. withdraw their candidacy as independents under pressure fr. the organization. (CSM 1/4) (see 12/30)
In Gaza, Arafat briefs U.S. Senators Arlen Specter (R-PA), Richard Shelby (R-AL) on elections preparations. (VOP 1/2 in FBIS 1/3)
Force 17 detains Palestinian human rights activist Bassam Eid for 24 hrs. for criticizing PSF arrest of `Alami. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 1/4; NYT 1/19) (see 1/1)
IDF begins redeployment fr. Janin, 60 surrounding villages. 1st 10 Palestinian policemen arrive in Janin to crowds of Palestinian well-wishers. (MM 10/25; VOP 10/25 in FBIS 10/25; NYT, WP 10/26; MEI 11/3)
1st of 7 new West Bank district liaison and coordinating offices begins operating in Janin. (HA 10/27 in FBIS 11/1)
In Washington, PM Rabin meets with Pres. Clinton, Defense Secy. Perry. Later in the day, Congress holds official reception on Capitol Hill to mark Israel's Jerusalem 3000 celebration, commemorating the establishment by King David of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. PM Rabin, Jerusalem Mayor Olmert, Senate Majority Leader Dole (R-KS), Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MS) attend. Knesset sends Congress telegram congratulating them on the U.S. embassy vote. (QY 9/5 in FBIS 9/5; MM, NYT 10/25; MM, WT 10/26; MM 10/27)
Jordan, Israel sign trade agmt. (QY 10/25 in FBIS 10/26)
Libya's Qaddafi temporarily halts expulsion of Palestinians for 3-6 mos to allow Arab states time to prepare for the eventual deportation of all Palestinians to the self-rule areas. (NYT, WT 10/26)
IAF begins using infrared night-vision security system on the border with Lebanon. (JP 10/25 in FBIS 10/27)
U.S. Senate delegation, accompanied by U.S. Consul Gen. Edward Abington, visits Arafat, discusses status of talks with Israel. Arafat then briefs Australian FM Gareth Evans on negotiations, the economy, Australia's role in international presence following expansion of self-rule. (VOP 7/9, 7/11 in FBIS 7/11)
50 Palestinians are wounded when they try to stop IDF bulldozers fr. clearing land for a joint Israeli-PA liaison office in the West Bank. (CSM 7/10)
VP Gore reverses decision to hire part-time speechwriter Richard Marius full-time after New Republic editor Martin Peretz protests Marius's 1992 book review that was critical of Israel; says hiring Marius could be a political embarrassment. (WP 7/19; MEI 8/4; WJW 8/10)
In Cairo, Israel, PA close 2-day round of talks on expanding self-rule, reach draft agmt. on transferring responsibilities for labor to PA. (MENA 6/7 in FBIS 6/8; CSM 6/9)
IDF dismantles a military base in `Illar nr. Tulkarm. (CSM 6/9)
Multilateral Working Group on Economic Development meets in Amman. (JTV 6/7 in FBIS 6/8)
Quadripartite (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, PA) technical comm. on refugees convenes for 1st time in Beersheba. (IGPO 6/6; VOP 6/7 in FBIS 6/7) (see 3/7)
In Damascus, U.S. envoy Ross, Pres. Asad discuss agenda for Syrian-Israeli talks to be held in Washington 6/27. After mtg. Ross heads to Cairo to meet with FM Musa, stops on way to brief PM Rabin on talks with Syrians. (MM 6/7; RE, SATN 6/7 in FBIS 6/8; MM, WT 6/8)
German Chancellor Kohl meets with Arafat in Jericho, pledges additional $7 m. to the PA, says Germany will consider investing in industrial parks. (VOP 6/7 in FBIS 6/8; CSM 6/8; VOP 6/10 in FBIS 6/12; MM 6/13; BT 6/22)
In Geneva, PA Labor M Samir Ghawshah represents PA at International Labor Org. (ILO) mtg., blocks U.S., Israeli motion to delete topic of Palestinian workers' conditions fr. the agenda. (PWR 6/95)
Israeli parliament approves $70 m. for army to begin "Rainbow II"--a plan calling for months of construction of new bypass roads for settlers in and a slowly phased withdrawal fr. West Bank. (WP 6/8)
Natan Sharansky announces formation of new Movement for Israel and Immigration to aid immigrants economically, socially politically; says he may turn it into a party aimed at coalescing Russian immigrants into voting bloc for Israel's 1996 elections. (JP 6/8 in FBIS 6/9; JP 6/17; NYT 6/20; JP 6/24; CSM 6/27)
Israeli State Atty. rules that Shin Bet interrogator who caused death of Palestinian detainee 4/25 "could not and should not have expected a fatal result of his actions," will not be criminally prosecuted. (NYT 6/8) (see 4/28)
Senate passes Pres. Clinton's antiterrorism bill 91-8. Bill expands government use of wiretaps, gives FBI greater access to phone and credit card reports, expands authority to deport or refuse entry to immigrants, bans fundraising for foreign organizations designated as terrorist by State Dept., allows U.S. citizens to sue terrorist groups for personal injuries sustained in attacks. (NYT, WP, WT 6/8; WJW 7/27) (see 6/20)
White House sends warning to 3 Democratic senators (Daniel Inouye, cosponsor of Dole bill, D. Patrick Moynihan, Joseph Lieberman) that moving U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem would have "a devastating impact on the peace process." (WT 5/15)
Frmr. Secy. of State James Baker calls on Clinton administration to take "more assertive role" in peace process to break impasses, says U.S. should commit now to stationing troops in Golan, opposes moving embassy to Jerusalem. (MM 5/11)
Jerusalem's Waqf authorities say site leased by U.S. as possible embassy location has been Waqf land for 200 yrs. U.S. officials say they doubt documentation supporting claim exists. (NYT 5/11; JP 5/20)
Final vote on NPT is postponed hours before it is to be held because of proposal submitted by Egypt, Algeria, Bahrain, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Mauritania, Morocco, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Tunisia, Yemen to single out Israel's undeclared nuclear program for mention. U.S. counters by threatening to call open vote on Egyptian proposal which would surely be defeated. Egypt, U.S. reach agmt. to include general appeal to all nations with undeclared nuclear programs to adhere to NPT. (MM 5/10; NYT, WP, WT 5/11)
Israeli gunboat fires at, detains, searches Lebanese civilian cargo ship of coast of Tyre, s. Lebanon, as naval blockade continues. (RL 5/10 in FBIS 5/10)
IDF soldier is killed by friendly fire during night operation in s. Lebanon. (QY 5/11 in FBIS 5/12)
Housing M Ben-Eliezer says Israel will go ahead with confiscations of Arab-owned lands despite growing outcry; land will be expropriated as part of 5-yr. plan to build 30,000 new apartments in Jerusalem. FM Peres says confiscations are necessary to accommodate "natural growth" of Jerusalem's Jewish population. (MA 5/9 in FBIS 5/9; WT 5/10)
As way of solving current dispute over expropriations, FM Peres suggests confiscating land in Jerusalem for Arab housing. Palestinians across political spectrum denounce idea. (QY, VOP 5/9, QY, RE 5/10 in FBIS 5/10)
PA postpones 1st mtg. of new Palestinian-Israeli Jerusalem Comm. on land expropriations until 5/14 because Israel will not set agenda for discussions. Comm. is headed by Arafat advisor Husseini, Israeli Police M Shahal. (VOP 5/10 in FBIS 5/11; VOP 5/14 in FBIS 5/15) (see 5/8)
U.S. Amb. to the UN Albright criticizes Arab League call for UN to debate Israeli land confiscations, says it is not the proper forum, threatens to veto any resolution or statement on the issue. (MM 5/11; al-Hayat 5/12 in FBIS 5/15; JP 5/13; CSM 5/15)
Sen. Dole, Rep. Gingrich submit identical bills to Congress that would force Clinton to begin ground-breaking on new embassy site in Jerusalem before end of 1996, to open embassy by 5/31/99, under penalty of cutting in half total State Dept. construction funds for FY 1997, FY 1999. Secy. of State Christopher calls legislation "ill-advised and damaging" to peace process. Arafat, Arab League Secy. Gen. `Abd al-Majid urge against move. (MM 5/9; al-Hayat 5/9 in FBIS 5/10; NYT, WP, WT 5/10; NYT, WP, WT 5/11; NYT 5/18) (see Doc. D8)
American Jewish Congress issues letter to Congress in support of Dole initiative on U.S. embassy. Americans for Peace Now sends letter to Congress urging them to not support bill. (MM 5/10)
Arafat releases 2 Hamas mbrs., 21 other Palestinian prisoners arrested following bombings in April to mark Id al-Adha; promises more releases soon. (WT 5/10)
Syria's Amb. Mu`allim, Israeli Amb. Rabinovitch reopen negotiations in Washington without military advisors, focus on depth of demilitarization, with Syria still insisting demilitarized zone be on both sides of border. (al-Hayat 3/27 in FBIS 3/29; MM 3/30; MBC 3/30 in FBIS 3/31; MEI 3/31; JP 4/1; WJW 4/6)
King Hussein arrives in Washington, meets with Clinton on congressional decision to cut debt forgiveness, moving U.S. embassy in Israel. King then meets with House speaker Gingrich, Sen. Patrick Leahy fr. Senate Foreign Relations Comm. to discuss debt issue. (RJ 3/27 in FBIS 3/27; RJ 3/28 in FBIS 3/29; MM 3/29; CSM, MEI 3/31; FT 4/4)
Arafat, Israeli Labor Secy. Gen. Nissim Zvilli meet in Jericho, discuss closure, Israeli security, economic problems, impediments to negotiations. (IDF Radio, VOP 3/27 in FBIS 3/28; MM 3/29)
Morocco opens liaison offices in Tel Aviv, Gaza, making it 3d Arab country to establish ties with Israel. (ITV 3/27 in FBIS 3/28; JP 4/8)
Jenin prison closes. All prisoners are transferred to jails inside Green Line. Move thought to anticipate Israeli withdrawal fr. Jenin as part of "Jenin 1st" proposal. (PR 3/26) (see 2/19)
PM Rabin tells VP Gore Israel will not discuss a Middle East nuclear-free zone until it has peace agmts. with all its neighbors, Iran; hints Israel will not meet 7/1 deadline on elections talks with PA (see 3/9) if Arafat does not prevent incidents like 3/19 shooting, 3/21 truck incident. PA Planning M Shaath says he "never believed that date in the first place." (MM 3/23; QY 3/23 in FBIS 3/23; IDF Radio, QY 3/23, HA 3/24 in FBIS 3/24; MM 3/24; NYT, WP 3/25; MEI 3/31; JP 4/1)
Arafat meets with Pres. Mubarak meet in Cairo to discuss peace process, asks him to relay message to Pres. Clinton regarding impediments to implementing DOP. Arafat then meets with U.S. Foreign Relations Council delegation, discusses economic aid. (MENA 3/23 in FBIS 3/23; MENA, VOP 3/23 in FBIS 3/24)
Syrian FM al-Shara`, Egyptian FM Musa meet in Cairo to discuss Syrian-Israeli negotiations. (MENA 3/23 in FBIS 3/23; SATN 3/23 in FBIS 3/24)
Arab League passes resolution supporting indefinite NPT renewal but saying 22 mbr.-states are free to vote how they will; does not link renewal with Israel's joining NPT. U.S. official says "if the Egyptians were lobbying [against renewal], the Arab League resolution would never have passed." (AFP 3/22, 3/23 in FBIS 3/23; MENA 3/23 in FBIS 3/24; WT 3/31)
Jerusalem Mayor Ehud Olmert says PA has violated Israeli authority over the city by taking control of all 20 Waqf schools (previously run by Jordan). PA funding for schools is part of $27 m. raised by Arafat advisor Husseini fr. Saudi Arabia. Remaining money is slated for Jerusalem housing (see 3/13). (JP 3/24 in FBIS 3/27; JP 4/1; WJW 5/5; JP 5/13)
To date, 93 senators have signed on to Sen. Alfonse D'Amato and Sen. D. Patrick Moynihan's letter, calling on the pres. to move the U.S. embassy in Israel fr. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. (WJW 3/23) (see 2/3)
IDF, Hizballah exchange fire in s. Lebanon, leaving 1 civilian dead, 1 wounded. (AFP, RL 3/23 in FBIS 3/24)
Israel issues 3,500 permits for Palestinian workers to enter Israel, raising total number to 18,500. Permits will go to married men over 30, tourism workers over 25. (QY 3/3 in FBIS 3/3; WP 3/4)
House Appropriations Comm. cuts debt forgiveness to Jordan to $50 m. fr. $275 m. PM Rabin calls Pres. Clinton to criticize move. Clinton condemns decision as threat to peace process, calls on Senate to overturn it; phones King Hussein to reassure him. (CSM, WT 3/3; RJ 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; CSM 3/8; JP 3/11; WT 3/12; WJW 3/16; MEI 3/17; WSJ 3/24; NYT 3/29; MEI 3/31) (see 2/22)
Senate confirms Martin Indyk as 1st Jewish U.S. amb. to Israel "with no controversy." (WT 3/6)
PA arrests Shaykh Salama al-Safadi fr. Gaza's Filastin Mosque, Shaykh Ahman Nimr fr. Khan Yunis mosque for giving anti-PA sermons. (HA 3/5; AFP 3/6 in FBIS 3/6; MBC in FBIS 3/7)
PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin hold 90-minute summit mtg. at Erez crossing, Gaza Strip. Israel agrees to open safe passages btwn. Gaza and Jericho, permit 6,000 more Palestinian workers into Israel. Both sides agree to pursue negotiations on expanding West Bank self-rule. Israel puts off discussion of Jerusalem, criticizes PLO Political Dept. head Faruq Qaddumi's remarks on attacks on Israelis. (Qol Yisra'el 8/10 in FBIS 8/11; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/11)
World Bank announces establishment of field office in Gaza. (World Bank release 8/10)
Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan meets 98-mbr. United Jewish Appeal delegation in Amman, says Jordan and Israel should coordinate economic policies before 10/94 Casablanca economic conference. (MM 8/11)
Argentine Pres. Carlos Menem threatens to expel Iranian amb. over Tehran's alleged role in 7/18 bombing of Buenos Aires Jewish center. Embassy had protested issuing of warrants for arrest of 4 Iranian diplomats in case. (NYT, WT 8/11)
Senate approves foreign-aid bill 88-12, sending $13.8 b. measure to Pres. Clinton for signature. Legislation, passed by House 8/4, includes $99 m. "down payment" on Jordanian debt relief, $3 b. in economic and military aid to Israel. (WP 8/11)
Multilateral working group on economics meets in Rabat, Morocco. 5th session of group involves delegations fr. 46 countries. (MAP 6/16 in FBIS 6/20)
Saudi Fund for Development, International Development Association sign memorandum of agreement to fund $30 m. in West Bank/Gaza Strip development projects. Agreement is part of $67.5 m. allocated out of $100 m. Saudi grant to Palestinians. (Saudi embassy release 6/16)
Vatican, Israel announce agreement signed 6/14 to establish full diplomatic relations, implementing 12/30/93 agreement. Ambs. to be exchanged soon. (MM 6/15; NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 6/16; JP 6/25)
Sens. Arlen Specter (R-PA), Richard Shelby (D-AL) set up "Middle East Peace Accord Monitoring Group" to track PLO compliance with 5/4 agreement with Israel. (MM 6/16; Forward 6/17)
Palestinians protesting 5/31 killing in al-Ram attack police station in Ramallah with rocks and bottles. IDF fires tear gas, rubber bullets, live ammunition in response, wounds 17 Palestinians, 1 critically. (MM 6/1; NYT, WP, WT 6/2)
PLO Chmn. Arafat meets in Tunis with U.S. Senators Paul Simon (D-IL), Russell Feingold (D-WI), and Harry Reid (D-NV), says he will delay entry into Jericho until promised adequate funds for local admin. (Algiers VOP 6/1 in FBIS 6/2; WT 6/2)
Informal mtg. of UNRWA donors opens in Amman. (UNRWA News 6/1)
2 IDF guards at Haram al-Ibrahimi tell commission of inquiry they fired into door leading to mosque, contradicting officers' testimony and confirming accounts by Palestinians that soldiers fired on worshippers fleeing massacre. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/18)
Dep. DM Mordechai Gur visits Beit Hadassah, Qiryat Arba settlements toreassure Hebron settlers of govt. commitment to their safety. (CSM 3/18)
PLO accepts U.S. proposal, made in a telephone call by talks coordinator Dennis Ross, for 3/19 mtg. btwn. PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli FM Peres to explore resumption of negotiations. Arafat, PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Samir Ghawsha say talks' resumption contingent on passage of UNSC resolution condemning Hebron massacre. (MM 3/17; WP, WT 3/18)
Pres. Clinton telephones Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, Syrian Pres. al-Asad to brief them on his talks with Israeli PM Rabin. Clinton seeks Syrian commitment to rejoin Arab-Israeli peace talks even if PLO stays out. (NYT, WP 3/18)
Senate passes "sense of the Senate" amendment to banking bill urging Clinton admin. to veto any UNSC resolution that "states or implies that Jerusalem is 'occupied' territory." Resolution follows letter to Pres. Clinton signed by 82 senators criticizing UNSC draft resolution on Hebron massacre. (NYT 3/19)
PM Rabin meets Pope John Paul I1 in Rome as Vatican special envoy Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran meets PLO Chmn. Arafat in Tunis. (MM, NYT 3/18)
IDF kills 3 Hizballah guerrillas infiltrating "security zone" in southern Lebanon; later, 2 IAF planes rocket Hizballah base at Mlita, killing 2 guerrillas. (MM 3/17; MEI 4/15)
FM Peres criticizes some settlements in Gaza Strip as "totally illogical," saying Netzarim "has no agricultural importance, no economic importance, no security importance." (MM 2/22)
15 settler families, most fr. Ariel, sign petition for Knesset assistance to help them leave o.t. MKs Yossi Katz (Labor) and Avraham Poraz (Meretz) submit Knesset bills calling for comprehensive compensation plan for settlers leaving o.t., while Labor MKs Haggai Merom and Avraham Burg set up "hot line" for settlers who wish to leave. (MM 2/23)
Lebanese govt. officials, responding to U.S. concerns over violence in southern Lebanon, agree to restrain actions of guerrilla groups in south. Int. M Bishara Mirhaj says "We will not approve of any operation that undermines the responsibility of the state in south Lebanon." (NYT 2/25)
Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics puts Israeli population at end 1993 at 5.325 m., compared to 5.196 m. in 1992. CBS says settlements' population at 115,000 compared to 105,000 in 1992, Palestinian population in o.t. 1.9 m. (MM 2/23)
Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu meets in Washington with VP Al Gore, Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole. Gore expresses both personal and official Clinton admin. opposition to Palestinian state, according to Netanyahu, while Dole says Senate would oppose posting U.S. troops on Golan. (MM 2/23)
Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan expresses "respect and appreciation" for Saudi fund-raising drive for Islamic holy places in Jerusalem. (RJ 2/22 in FBIS 2/23)
Senate confirms Strobe Talbott as dep. secy. of state by 66-31 vote. Opponents had charged Talbott was overly critical of Israel while a journalist for Time magazine, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) calling Talbott's articles "insulting, immature and incorrect," Sen. Minority Leader Robert Dole (R-KS) accusing Talbott of "clear anti-Israel bias." (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/23)
PLO Chmn. Arafat, Israeli FM Peres open talks in Cairo aimed at implementing Palestinian autonomy in Gaza and Jericho. Both sides report progress. (MENA 2/7, 2/8 in FBIS 2/8; WP, WT 2/8)
Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin meets in Washington with Qatari, Omani officials to discuss Qatar-Israel natural gas deal, multilateral mtg. on water set for 4/94 in Muscat. (MM 2/9)
Hizballah guerrillas ambush IDF patrol in southern Lebanon, killing 4 IDF soldiers and wounding 5. Ambush triggers IAF strikes on 3 villages, SLA, IDF shelling. (MM 2/7; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/8)
Meretz MKs Naomi Chazan and Benny Temkin demand that PM Rabin, in capacity as DM, ban travel of 40 IDF elite force veterans to Congo to act as military trainers. Leftist legislators view veterans as mercenaries being used to support Brazzaville regime. (WT 2/10)
Knesset recognizes "Yi'ud" faction made up of frmr. Tsomet MKs. (see 2/2) (MM 2/7)
Sens. Connie Mack (R-FL) and Alfonse D'Amato ask Pres. Clinton to withdraw nomination of Strobe Talbott as dep. secy. of state because of his "extreme views" on Israel, which "go beyond common criticisms to a systematic attack upon the foundations of America's close relationship with Israel." (WT 2/8)
U.S. Senate approves 93-0 amendment to State Dept. authorization bill that would ban U.S. arms sales to countries blacklisting U.S. companies as part of Arab boycott of Israel. Measure would allow pres. to waive ban for 1 yr. if he deems it in national interest. (NYT, WT 1/30)
World Bank Consultative Group mtg. in Paris, grouping 24 countries and 5 international institutions, approves $120 m. in budgetary assistance to Palestinian autonomy. (AFP 1/28 in FBIS 1/31)
Fateh supporters and their allies lose majorities in weekend elections for Gaza Engineers Association and West Bank Lawyers Association. (NYT 1/31; JP 2/5)
Israel-PLO talks on implementing DoP resume in Taba, Egypt. (MENA 1/18 in FBIS 1/18; WT 1/19)
Secy. of Defense-designate Adm. Bobby Inman holds press conference to announce 1/6 withdrawal of his name, citing opposition to his nomination by Sen. Bob Dole, NYT columnist William Safire. Inman says Safire motivated by his 1981 decision as dep. director of CIA to restrict U.S. satellite intelligence provided to Israel after Israeli bombing of Iraqi nuclear reactor. Inman says then-Israeli DM Ariel Sharon complained about limitation to Secy. of Defense Caspar Weinberger, who supported Inman. (NYT, WP, WT 1/19)
PM Rabin says peace btwn. Israel and Syria may require Israel to pay a "painful price," notes he "expected more" fr. al-Asad but would "make do" and negotiate on basis of al-Asad's 1/16 Geneva statements. Rabin echoes calls for national referendum on Golan withdrawal. AP reports opposition by Likud, govt. coalition to plans for Israeli referendum on withdrawal fr. Golan. (MM 1/18, 1/19; NYT, WT 1/19)
IDF clashes with Palestinian stonethrowers at Hebron college. 7 Palestinians shot and wounded. (NYT 1/20)
IDF seals off 4 settlements nr. Nablus and prevents procession of settlers fr. bringing Torah scrolls to Jewish religious center in Nablus. 15 settlers arrested. New orders, issued 12/12 but only made public today, permit IDF to place Jewish settlements as well as Palestinian towns and villages under curfew, take "strong action" against law-breaking settlers. (NYT, WT 12/17)
FM Peres, in Paris, says Israel and PLO have agreed to open economic market btwn. Israel and Palestinian self-governing areas, allowing Palestinians to freely export farm produce to Israel and import goods fr. Arab states. Disagreements over currency, ties with Jordan remain. (MM 12/16)
Unnamed PLO, Israeli officials meet privately at undisclosed locations to try to bridge differences preventing implementation of Gaza-Jericho withdrawal. PLO-Israel talks in al-Arish on civil issues recess. (CSM 12/17; MENA 12/16 in FBIS 12/17)
Syrian Pres. al-Asad meets U.S. congressional delegation made up of Sens. DeConcini (D-AZ), Specter (R-PA), Grassley (RIA), and Graham (D-FL) and Rep. Richardson (D-NM). Talks focus on overcoming impediments to peace process. (SARR 12/16 in FBIS 12/16; MM 12/17)
U.S. Senate approves by voice vote resolution urging Arab League to end boycott of Israel. (WJW 11/25)
U.S. Middle East coordinator Dennis Ross meets in Moscow with Deputy FM Yossi Beilin prior to visiting Middle East to discuss U.S. proposals on peace process. (Ha Aretz 7/7 in FBIS 7/7)
FM Peres meets Egyptian Pres. Mubarak in Alexandria, discusses U.S. document and Jerusalem issue. (MENA 7/6 in FBIS 7/6)
Jerusalem deputy mayor Avraham Kahila claims Jewish population of East Jerusalem now at 160,000, 5,000 larger than Palestinian population. (Ha Aretz 7/6 in FBIS 7/7; WT 7/7)
Tsomet and National Religious Party submit no-confidence motions in Knesset against Labor government, citing stalemate in peace talks and situation in southern Lebanon. (Qol Yisra'el 7/6 in FBIS 7/7)
Lebanese parliament rejects 7/1 U.S. Senate resolution, characterizing it as "interference" in Lebanon's affairs, and "denounces the American Senate's perpetual silence" on Israeli occupation of southern Lebanon. Lebanese cabinet joins in denunciation the following day (see 7/1). (MM 7/7)
10th round of peace talks ends in Washington. Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi expresses "strong resentment" of "totally unacceptable" current U.S. working paper. (RMC 7/1 in FBIS 7/1; WP 7/2)
PM Rabin comments on U.S. document, saying, "any changes [to the 12 May document] will not be received by us with great sympathy, but with a disappointment." (MM 7/1)
2 Palestinian gunmen fire on Israeli bus in Jerusalem, killing 1, then hijack a car; IDF shoots, kills them and the Israeli woman driver at a roadblock. (Qol Yisra'el 7/1 in FBIS 7/1; NYT, WP 7/2)
Jordan Bank reaches agreement with Israeli officials to open branches in Ramallah, Nablus, and Hebron. (al-Nahar 7/1 in FBIS 7/2)
AIPAC VP Harvey Friedman resigns after Washington Jewish Week quotes him calling Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin "a little slimeball" in disagreement over Israeli govt's approach to peace process. (NYT 7/2)
U.S. Senate passes by unanimous consent S. Con. Res. 28, calling on Syria to withdraw its forces in Lebanon to the Biqa', Syria and Lebanon to disarm Hizballah, and characterizing 9/92 Lebanese elections as unrepresentative of "the full spectrum of the body politic of Lebanon." (Congressional Record 7/1)
U.S. House of Representatives passes 273-144 H.R. 2333, the "State Department, USIA, and Related Agencies Authorization Act, Fiscal Years 1994 and 1995." Bill, passed on to Senate, includes $80m per year to Israel in FY 1994 and 1995 for refugee resettlement out of an annual $593.5m in global U.S. refugee aid. Bill passed despite $10b. in U.S. loan guarantees to Israel made in 1992 and against evidence Israel does not need such aid (see 6/9). (MEPARC 6/93; WP 8/3)
Palestinian delegation announces its consent that UNSC 242 "not be applied in the negotiations in the transitional phase," but insisted that it be applied in the final settlement stage of talks. (ITV 10/23 in FBIS 10/26)
Arab Democratic Party MK 'Abd al-Wahhab Darawsha returns from 2-day visit to Egypt and Tunis, brings with him Chmn. Arafat's offer to meet with PM Rabin "anywhere, any time." (Qol Yisra'el 10/23 in FBIS 10/23; HaAretz 10/25 in FBIS 10/26)
Pope John Paul 11 meets with Israeli FM Shimon Peres at the Vatican, accepts invitation to visit Israel. (NYT 10/24)
Faisal Husseini, other Palestinian officials meet with Vatican FM in Rome. (Algiers VOP 10/25 in FBIS 10/26)
U.S. Senate agriculture comm. releases 11/9/89 message from Secy. of State James Baker to Iraqi FM Tariq Aziz stating approval of grain credits for Iraq, and requesting Pres. Saddam Hussein's help in persuading Palestinians to take part in peace talks with Israel. Allegations that Iraq diverted the credits to purchase weapons are currently being investigated. (NYT 10/26)
Ten Palestinian factions meet in Damascus, issue statement rejecting the autonomy plan being negotiated by the mainstream PLO and o.t. delegation, calling for confrontation against it. (Voice of the Oppressed 9/18 in FBIS 9/18; MM 9/24)
U.S. Senate foreign operations subcommittee, chaired by Sen. Patrick Leahy (DVT), approves Pres. Bush's loan guarantees legislation. (JP 9/26)
Dahaf poll of 582 Israelis finds that in return for full peace with Syria similar to Egyptian agreement, 50% favor retention of all Golan territory, 34% favor returning small part, 9% favor returning significant part; 65% favor retention of all Golan settlements, 29% favor removing some, and 6% favor removing all Golan settlements. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 9/18 in FBIS 9/18)