The Palestine Chronology

PM Barak tells his cabinet that although he had made no new commitments to Syria in order to resume talks, he "would not erase" any promises made in previous negotiations under PMs Yitzhak Rabin, Shimon Peres, or Benjamin Netanyahu. (CSM, NYT, WP 12/14)

At the Knesset, PM Barak gives a speech, telling Israelis to prepare to pay "a heavy territorial price" for peace with Syria. After 7 hrs. of debate, MKs pass (47-31, with 24 abstentions, 18 absent) a vote of confidence giving Barak a mandate to negotiate with Syria. 1,000s of Golan settlers demonstrate outside. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP 12/14; CSM 12/15; WJW 12/16)

Russian dep. FM Sredin arrives in Amman for a 2-day visit. He discusses the peace process with the Russian rep. to the PA and Russian ambs. to Egypt, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria. (ITAR-TASS 12/14 in WNC 12/15)

In Bayt Awa, nr. Hebron, IDF commandos searching for 2 wanted Hamas mbrs. storm a house, killing 2 Palestinians, arresting 3. DM Efraim Sneh admits that there was a "contract" out for 1 of the men for killing an undercover Israeli border policeman in 1/99. (WT 12/14; NYT, WP 12/15; VIRI 12/15 in WNC 12/16; LAW 12/16; JP, MEI 12/24)

The U.S. reports the arrest in the Middle East of 13 mbrs. of a suspected terrorist group with links to Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden that was believed to be planning New Year's attacks around the world. (NYT, WP 12/14; WT 12/15)

World leaders, incl. Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, Jordanian King Hussein, Omani FM Bin-`Alawi, Qatari Culture M Hamad Bin `Abd al-Aziz al-Kuwari, attend PM Rabin's funeral. Arafat--who Israel officials stressed was "not welcome" at the funeral, held in Jerusalem--does not go. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/6; FBIS supplement, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/7; CSM 11/8)

After Rabin's funeral, Pres. Clinton holds separate mtgs about continuing the peace process with Mubarak, King Hussein, Acting PM Peres, Pres. Weizman. Peres holds private mgts with King Hussein, Pres. Mubarak, Omani FM Bin-`Alawi to discuss bilateral relations, peace process. (IDF Radio, QY 11/6, RJ, QY 11/7 in FBIS 11/7; WP 11/7; MM 11/8; HA 11/8 in FBIS 11/9)

After repeated requests fr. the PA, the Arab League permanent representatives hold a discussion on the congressional decision to move the U.S. embassy in Israel to Jerusalem; consider convening mtg. of all Arab FMs. (MENA 11/6 in FBIS 11/8) (see 10/26)

In Washington, Arafat, PM Rabin sign the Oslo II agmt. Syria, Lebanon send no representatives. (BT, CSM, MM, WJW 9/28; VOP 9/28 in FBIS 9/28; CSM, FT, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/29; WJW 10/5; JP 10/7)

Israeli FM Peres, Jordan's King Hussein, Arafat confirm that they have been discussing establishment of a confederation btwn. Jordan, self-rule areas. (IL 10/2)

Israel, EU initial cooperation and commerce agmt. (IL 10/2)

PM Rabin meets with representatives of American Jewish groups, warns them that lobbying against Israeli government policies would cause a serious rift in Israel's relations with the American Jewish community. (QY 9/29, 9/30 in FBIS 10/2; NYT 9/30; WJW 10/5; JP 10/7)

Israel closes borders with West Bank, Gaza until 10/1 to curb any Palestinian attacks on Israel in protest over Oslo II signing. In Hebron, 1,000 Jewish settlers protest the accord. (CSM, NYT 9/29)

Secy of State Christopher proceeds to Syria fr. Israel after mtg. PM Rabin, FM Peres, saying of recent fighting in southern Lebanon that "comprehensive peace is the answer."  Mtg. Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad for 5 hrs., Christopher bears "decisive request" fr. Israeli FM Peres to Syrian and Lebanese leaderships urging restraint of Hizballah.  (SARR 8/7 in FBIS 8/8; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/8)

U.S. officials announce in Jerusalem that conference on Middle East economic development will be held in Casablanca, Morocco, 10/30-11/1.  (NYT 8/8)

Direct Jordan-Israel telephone links inaugurated with call fr. Israeli Pres. Ezer Weizman to Jordan's King Hussein.  (Qol Yisra'el 8/7 in FBIS 8/8; CSM 8/9; WT 8/10)

2 PFLP guerrillas killed by SLA 2 mi. fr. Israeli border.  3d guerrilla captured, says mission was to take hostages in northern Israel.  In separate incident, Lebanese soldier killed nr. Nabatiya by howitzer shell fired fr. "security zone."  (WP 6/24)

Hamas mbr. kidnapped day before found dead in Bayt Lahiya, Gaza Strip, presumably killed by family mbrs. of collaborators he had killed.  (MM 6/23; TJT 7/1; JP 7/2)

PLO Chmn. Arafat sets new conditions for his move to Jericho.  (WSJ 6/24)

18 dunams confiscated fr. Waljah village, nr. Bayt Jala, for construction of 18,000 housing units for Israelis.  (TJT 7/1)

Israeli FM Peres, on Israeli radio, says new proposals to Syria include "security, peace, and withdrawal."  Peres says contacts must take place "away fr. the eye of the media."  PM Rabin, on IDF radio, says Israel ready for "painful compromises" with Syria, criticizes rightists who claim Arabs lack military option by referring to 1973 war.  (CSM 6/24)

U.S. Pres. Clinton offers to sponsor Washington summit mtg. btwn. Israeli PM Rabin, Jordan's King Hussein.  (WSJ 6/24)

Frmr. Saudi diplomat Mohammed al-Khilewi, who defected to U.S. 6/14, claims to have documents proving Saudi support for Hamas, Saudi surveillance of U.S. Jewish groups, including JDL.  (WSJ 6/24)[defected 6/1--WT 6/2][filed for asylum 5/31--WT 6/4]

Israeli-Palestinian Declaration of Principles (DoP), mandating establishment of Palestinian self-governing authority in Gaza Strip and Jericho and governing Palestinian-Israeli relations during 5-year interim period, signed at White House ceremony by Israeli FM Peres and PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud 'Abbas (Abu Mazen). Document is witnessed by U.S. Secy. of State Christopher, Russian FM Andrei Kozyrev. 3,000 guests attend ceremony, marked by speeches by Peres, 'Abbas, Christopher, Kozyrev, U.S. Pres. Clinton, Israeli PM Rabin, and PLO Chmn. Arafat. Handshake between Arafat and Rabin symbolically concludes pact. (NYT, WP, WT 9/14)

Polls show 62% of Israeli Jews, 65% of Palestinians in o.t. support Gaza-Jericho accord. (MM 9/13; CSM 9/14)

Beirut demonstration against PLO-Israel accord by opposition Palestinians and Hizballah. Lebanese troops fire into crowd; at least 6 demonstrators killed, 35 wounded. (NYT 9/14)

Iraqi Undersecy. of Info. Nuri al-Marsumi criticizes DoP, accusing Palestinian negotiators of acting "unilaterally" and predicting agreement "will open the door to in-fighting btwn. the Palestinians themselves." (MM 9/13)