The Palestine Chronology

U.S. special envoy Ross meets with PM Barak in advance of the Oslo mtg. 11/2. (MM 10/29; JP 11/5)

Israeli-PA ad hoc economic comm. meets to discuss economic requirements of the Wye II agmt., adjourns without taking any decisions. (al-Quds 10/29 in WNC 11/2)

In Gaza, the PA-Egypt-Jordanian trilateral comm. on displaced persons meets to discuss implementation of Wye II, upcoming final status talks; calls for convening quadripartite comm. (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, PA) on displaced persons. Under Wye II, the quadrilateral comm., which has not met since 1997, was to have resumed mtgs. by 10/1. (MM 10/27; MENA, al-Quds 10/27 in WNC 10/28; DUS 10/28 in WNC 11/2) (see 10/6)

Iranian pres. Khatami arrives in France for 3 days of talks on improving bilateral relations, meets with Pres. Chirac. (MM, WT 10/27; CSM, NYT, WP 10/28; MM, WP 10/29; WT 11/3; MEI 11/12)

Clashes in Bethlehem btwn. Palestinian demonstrators, IDF continue for 3d day, leaving 12 Palestinians injured. (MM 10/27; NYT, WP 10/28)

A Lebanese military court issues a death sentence in absentia against Sultan Abu al-Aynayn, a senior Fatah official who has lived in Lebanon for yrs., for heading a subversive armed group. Abu al-Aynayn was unaware he was under prosecution until the verdict was announced. (AFP 10/27 in WNC 10/28; RL 10/28 in WNC 10/29; AFP 10/28, RL 10/29, 10/31 in WNC 11/2; WT 10/29; AYM 10/30 in WNC 11/3)

The Clinton administration authorizes the 1st direct military training for Iraqi opposition forces, which will begin next wk. (NYT 10/28; WT 10/29)

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Yasir Arafat makes "Cairo Declaration," condemns acts of violence against unarmed civilians anywhere, states violators will be punished for attacks outside Israeli-held lands [NYT 11/8].

Other Countries: France reaffirms its view PLO should be present at M.E. peace talks [NYT 11/8]. U.S. House Foreign Affairs Subcommittee approves Senate-passed legislation shelving Pres. Reagan's proposed $1.9 billion arms sale to Jordan until 1 March unless King Hussein begins "direct and meaningful" peace negotiations with Israel [CT, JTA 11/8]. U.S. Senate votes 90-2 to prohibit any voluntary contributions by the U.S. to the UN from being used for programs for the PLO; Sen. Barry Goldwater (R-Ariz.) and Sen. Charles Mathias (R-Md.) voted against the bill, but did not give any reason for doing so [JTA 11/8].