The Palestine Chronology

Arab delegations follow through on decision to boycott today's peace talks in Washington. State Dept. calls Arab absence "disappointing"; Israeli delegation appears as scheduled. Arab delegations later announce they will resume talks in light of 1/6 UN condemnation of Israel. (NYT 1/8)

In meeting with Knesset foreign affairs and defence committee, IDF Chief of Staff Ehud Barak proposes Israel consider deporting Palestinians for a limited period to blunt intl. criticism of Israel's deportation policy. Barak's remarks about numbers of possible deportees are interpreted by several members of committee to mean IDF is considering mass expulsions. (Qol Yisra'el, ITV 1/7 in FBIS 1/8)

Greek court convicts Palestinian Muhammad Rashid of murder in 1982 bombing of Pan American jet over Hawaii. Rashid was tried in Greece after Greek officials refused to extradite him to U.S. (WP 1/9)