The Palestine Chronology

U.S. announces plans to present a text outlining what it believes to be the points of accord btwn. Israel, the PA reached thus far, which could be signed as a partial agmt. Fearing an ultimatum, Netanyahu threatens to send his delegation home, holds conference call with Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations to mobilize its support in an anticipated public row with the White House. Clinton cancels plans to return to Wye, Albright suspends U.S. participation until Netanyahu agrees to resume security talks. After several hrs. of security talks involving CIA Dir. Tenet, Netanyahu agrees to stay. (MM 10/21; IDF Radio, ITV 10/21 in WNC 10/22; ITV 10/21 in WNC 10/23; al-Akhbar, ITV 10/21, Globes [Internet] 10/22 in WNC 10/23; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/22; ITV, al-Quds 10/22 in WNC 10/26; MM, WP 10/23; WP 10/24; NYT 10/25; MEI 10/30)

The U.S. asks Israel to investigate 2 incidents in 3/98 (3/10, 3/13) in which the IDF shot Palestinians, raising the issue for the 1st time under a U.S. law that can limit foreign aid when troops abuse human rights. (WP 10/22)

During morning rush hr., Jewish settlers block traffic at 3 major junctions in the West Bank to protest possibility of a compromise agmt. with the PA. (WP 10/22)

To block a rider on an unrelated issue, Pres. Clinton vetoes a bill that would pay $1 b. in late dues to the UN. Although a separate spending bill has been passed to pay the UN enough to allow the U.S. to keep its voting rights in the UNGA, UN Secy. Gen. Kofi Annan says that the UN feels "deceived," having carried out reforms demanded by Congress in exchange for payment of U.S. arrears. (NYT, WP 10/22)

Saying it impedes the ability of the pres. to conduct foreign policy in the interest of national security, Pres. Clinton signs a determination waiving legislation that allows property held by a foreign state to be subject to legal claim, blocking the Flatow's attempt to take possession of 12 Iranian holdings. (Federal Register 11/2) (see 9/27)

U.S. grants Turkey $823,000 in technical assistance to help plan its part of a proposed oil/gas pipeline linking Azerbaijan with the Turkish port of Ceyhan. (WP 10/23) (see 5/14)

Pres. Clinton vetoes the IMPSA; says bill is inflexible, will not stop missile proliferation, will needlessly harm relations with Russia. IMPSA passed by 392-22 in the House on 11/12/97, 90-4 in Senate on 5/22/98, meaning chances that veto will be overridden are high. (YA 6/26 in WNC 6/29; Near East Report 6/29)

Pres. Clinton sends letter of response to CPMAJO's 5/14 letter, saying that the U.S. will not pressure Israel to take decisions, will not make decisions on Israel's behalf on matters which concern Israeli security. (PR 7/3)

Egyptian FM Musa arrives in Saudi Arabia for talks on bilateral relations, possible Arab summit. (MENA 6/23 in WNC 6/25)

PA, Turkey signed education cooperation agmt. for 1998 to 2000. (Anatolia 6/23 in WNC 6/25)

IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian homes nr. Hebron, evicts 30 bedouin families. (LAW 6/25; PR 6/26)

New U.S. amb. to Syria, Ryan Crocker, presents his credential to FM Shara`. Crocker has also served as amb. to Egypt, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Qatar. (MM, WP 6/24)

Saudi Arabia, Yemen say that they have agreed on demarcation of 66% of their common border. Border fr. Jabal al-Thar to Ras al-Mawaj, 3 Red Sea islands remain in dispute. The 2 countries clashed over the boundary placement in 1994, 1995. (WT 6/24) (see 5/26)

In London, Secy. Albright holds very brief final mtgs. with Arafat, Netanyahu. Albright sets deadline, summoning Arafat, Netanyahu to Washington 5/11. Acceptance of the "invitation" would require both sides to agree to the U.S. 13.1% FRD proposal (which Netanyahu still claims is impossible); and to begin accelerated final status negotiations at the 5/11 mtg., in advance of the redeployments. Arafat agrees, but Netanyahu says he must consult his cabinet at its weekly session 5/10. If Netanyahu fails to come to Washington, administration officials say they would be forced to "reevaluate and reexamine our role" in the peace process. Following the announcement, CPMAJO demands a conference call with Albright 5/6 to denounce pressure on Israel. (MM 5/5; IDF Radio, JTV 5/5, al-Dustur, MENA, VOL, YA 5/6, VOA 5/7 in WNC 5/8; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 5/6; NYT 5/7; CSM, MEI, MM, PR 5/8)

U.S., PA, Israeli teams stay in London to try to bridge gaps on FRD. U.S. delegation presents Netanyahu's C-plus idea to the PA team, which rejects it. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/6)

In Beirut, FM Buwayz discusses Israel's conditional withdrawal proposal with Chinese amb. An Huihou. China says it supports Lebanon's position but does not promise to use its veto should any amendments to UN Res. 425 come before the UNSC. (al-Safir 5/6 in WNC 5/8)

Hamas's Shaykh Yasin arrives in the UAE. (MM 5/7; al-Bayan [Dubai] 5/10 in WNC 5/13; MM 5/12)

Kuwait allows families of 25 Jordanians still detained for allegedly collaborating with Iraq during the Gulf War to fly to Kuwait to visit their relatives. (al-Ra'i 5/5 in WNC 5/8) (see 4/27)

PA GIS agents arrest without charge Reuters reporter Abbas al-Moumani, who delivered Hamas video tape to the PA on 4/9. (LAW 5/8)