The Palestine Chronology

Joint Jordanian-Israeli comms. on security, borders, territories, environment, crime, drugs hold 1st "preparatory" mtgs. at Dead Sea Hotel to formulate outlines for meeting goals set out in Jordan-Israel treaty. (RJ 12/13 in FBIS 12/14)

7th mtg. of Refugee Working Group opens in Ankara. 250 delegates fr. 40 countries, organizations attend; discuss job creation, family reunification, aid for children, public health, social and economic infrastructure, human resource development. Syria, Lebanon boycott. (AFP 12/14 in FBIS 12/15)

7th mtg. of Middle East Arms Control Group opens in Tunis. Participants (Algeria, Egypt, Israel, PA, U.S., Russia, Saudi Arabia, Tunisia) discuss confidence-building measures; naval issues; creation of regional communication and security centers, demilitarized zones. Deep divisions btwn. Arab states, Israel noted. Syria and Lebanon boycott. (MENA 12/14 in FBIS 12/15; MBC Television 12/14 in FBIS 12/16)

Israeli DMin. says it will allow 200 Gazans who are students at Birzeit University permission to enter West Bank for classes provided PA gives DMin. list of their names for security check, they all pledge to support peace process, renounce terrorism. If 200 behave, remaining 656 would be allowed to enter. (Article 17 12/94)

Jerusalem City Hall officials say plans have been submitted to expropriate, develop 6,000 dunums of Arab land btwn. Jewish neighborhoods of Pizgat Ze'ev, Neve Ya'aqov. (JP 12/13 in FBIS 12/13)

ICO conference opens in Casablanca. Mbrs. draft resolution on Jerusalem that omits praise for Jordan's efforts to preserve city's holy sites, following protests fr. Palestinian delegates. Arafat cancels mtg. with Jordan's King Hussein planned for sidelines of conference. (MM 12/12, 12/14; RA 12/12 in FBIS 12/15; Al-Dustur 12/14 in FBIS 12/14; MM 12/16; Al-Yawm 12/18 in FBIS 12/22)

PM Rabin, FM Peres, Arafat end 4 days of talks in Stockholm on elections, Israeli security. Rabin tells Arafat to choose btwn. early elections, no redeployment or protracted negotiations on both issues, delaying elections for 1 yr.; Arafat rejects both. Israel says it no longer rejects Hamas mbrs. participation in elections, only al-Qassam Brigade mbrs. (QY 12/11 in FBIS 12/12; CSM, MM 12/12; CSM, WT 12/13; HA 12/14 in FBIS 12/16; MEI 12/16; JP 12/16 in FBIS 12/19; JP 12/24)

Israeli Atty. Gen. orders Finance M to withhold transfer of Israeli funds to PA until law on implementation of Gaza-Jericho agmt. is enacted. PM Rabin fears delay may affect continuation of talks because large sums are involved. (QY 12/13 in FBIS 12/12) (see 11/23)

Joint Jordanian-Israeli transportation comm. meets at Dead Sea Hotel to discuss investment projects. (RJ 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; RJ 12/13 in FBIS 12/14)

Representatives fr. Israel, Jordan, Egypt, PA meet in Aqaba to discuss linking electricity grids. (JTV 12/12 in FBIS 12/13)

Israeli-Palestinian Center for Research and Information opens 2-day conference on environment in Jerusalem, attended by Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian representatives. Parties announce establishment of joint Eco-Peace Task Force to monitor effects of increased development on environment. (JP 12/13 in FBIS 12/13)

PA calls on Mubarak to pressure Libya to let into the country 200 Palestinians stranded on Egyptian, Tunisian borders. 2 children have already died awaiting entry. (ITV 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; VOP 12/13 in FBIS 12/14) (see 12/11)

PA refuses Israeli request to extradite 2 Palestinian policemen who killed settler; says murder occurred before DOP was signed. (AFP 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; QY 1/1 in FBIS 1/4; WJW 1/5)