The Palestine Chronology

The IDF lifts curfews in many West Bank areas for several hrs. to allow students to take yr.-end exams, then raids Palestine Polytechnic University in Hebron, detaining 300 students for questioning. The IDF raids a PA security post in Khan Yunis, arrests 6 PA border policemen. Israeli security officials bar entry at Ben-Gurion airport to PLO Negotiations Affairs Dept. legal adviser Michael Tarazi, a U.S. citizen who lives in Ramallah. (GS 7/2; NYT, WP, WT 7/3; AYM 7/3 in WNC 7/8)

Burns meets with other reps. of the Quartet (an ad hoc diplomatic grouping of the EU, Russia, UN, U.S. used to present a united international front on the peace process) in London to gauge their views of Bush's 6/24 speech, the PA's 100-day plan. Burns announces the formation of the International Task Force on Reform, a steering comm. comprising the Quartet and donors that will oversee donor assistance for PA reform efforts. (RMC 7/2 in WNC 7/3; MM 7/3; ITAR-TASS 7/3, al-Quds 7/4 in WNC 7/5; WP 7/4; NYT 7/9; USIS Washington File 7/12)

IDF soldier killed in shooting incident at Nahal Oz crossing, Gaza Strip.  Soldiers on duty reported shots fr. inside Gaza Strip and returned fire.  Casualty may have been caused by IDF return fire.  Palestinian police investigate.  (NYT, WP 5/31; WJW 6/2; JP 6/11)

100s of Palestinian prisoners released fr. Qetziot ("Ansar 3") prison in implementation of 5/4 Israel-PLO accord.  (NYT, WP 5/31; WT 6/1)

Hamas stages rally attended by over 2,000 in Jericho.  (TJT 6/3)

Faisal Husseini, returning to Jerusalem fr. PNA mtg. in Tunis, says Palestinians will "not accept any change in the status quo" of Jerusalem, any Israeli closure of Orient House "would be a violation of the [5/4] agreement."  (Qol Yisra'el 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; MM 5/31)

PECDAR (Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction) officials say PLO will be able to meet salaries of Gaza, Jericho civil servants without Israeli subsidies, but seek $300 m. in start-up assistance.  (MM 5/31; WT 6/1)

Equipment for Palestinian Broadcasting Corp. held up at Tel Aviv airport for payment of unspecified taxes to Israel, according to dep. board chmn. Sam'an Khoury.  (MM 5/31; WT 6/1; TJT 6/3)

PM Rabin meets visiting Russian Middle East envoy Viktor Posuvalyuk in Jerusalem.  Posuvalyuk tells reporters Syria "interested in achieving peace."  (MM 5/31)

Military Action:

Israeli military patrol ambushed near Tyre.

Casualties:

Over 200 Lebanese and Palestinian women demonstrate outside Prime Minister Wazzan's Beirut office demanding release of husbands and sons arrested by the Lebanese Army.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Commission of Inquiry publishes warning to Begin, Sharon, Shamir, four top army commanders (Eitan, Yaron, Drori, Seguy) and two other officials (Dudai, Mossad head) that they may be found guilty of "nonfulfillment of duty" before and during massacre (detailed letters sent to each give them 15 days to notify Commission whether they want to reappear to testify, submit new evidence, or cross-examine other witnesses, gives them the right to seek legal counsel); Shamir, in appearance before Commission denies that he was told of massacre by fellow Cabinet member September 17, says Zipori never mentioned killings, only "running wild," asserts he only heard of civilian deaths Saturday, September 18; border troops dispatched to Ben Gurion airport to quell worker riots following share-holders' vote to dismantle El Al airlines; West Bank university administrators given one week to decide whether to accept revised work permit form for foreign lecturers.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO adviser Nabil Shaath, in interview, says PLO rejects reconizing Israel in return for talks with US government.

Arab Governments: Syria rejects Habib call for simultaneous, phased withdrawal from Lebanon.

US and Other Countries: Habib arrives in Jerusalem in effort to gain agreement on beginning talks, meets with Shamir; US State Department expresses concern over "creeping annexation" and new guidelines for reducing influence of West Bank Palestinians who support the PLO; Mitterrand arrives in Cairo.