PNA bans distribution of al-Nahar newspaper, Akhbar al-Bilad magazine, causing al-Nahar to cease publication. Both publications regarded as pro-Jordanian; PNA says al-...
Israeli PM Rabin, Jordan's King Hussein sign "Washington Declaration" ending state of belligerency at White House ceremony with U.S. Pres. Clinton as witness. Declaration says sides "recognize...
Pre-dawn gunbattle erupts between rival militias in Tripoli.
Casualties:
Estimated cost of infrastructural re-building in Lebanon placed at $10 billion;...
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PNA bans distribution of al-Nahar newspaper, Akhbar al-Bilad magazine, causing al-Nahar to cease publication. Both publications regarded as pro-Jordanian; PNA says al-Nahar advocates "line that contradicts the national interests of the Palestinian people." Pretext for banning al-Nahar is that it had not renewed circulation permit. Akhbar al-Bilad publisher Nasr al-Din Nashashibi, calls PNA move "intellectual terrorism." (Qol Yisra'el 7/28 in FBIS 7/29; CSM, WP, WT 7/29; NYT, WT 7/30; JP 8/6)
PLO, Israeli negotiators reach draft agreements to give PLO control of education, health, and taxation in West Bank. PLO negotiator Nabil Shaath denies reports that Janin will be next self-rule area, saying "it's all the West Bank." (Qol Yisra'el, MENA 7/28 in FBIS 7/29; CSM 7/29)
Gaza municipal council holds 1st mtg. Municipality head Awn Shawa says main task is preparing for municipal elections. (Algiers VOP 7/28 in FBIS 7/29; TJT 7/29)
Secy of State Christopher, testifying to House FA Comm., criticizes PLO Chmn. Arafat's admin. of Gaza, saying he feels "frustration" with him and that Arafat failed to comply with international donors' requirements. (WT 7/29)
U.S. announces VP Al Gore will visit Israel, Jordan 9/94 to promote Syria-Israel talks. (MM 7/28)
Syrian govt. newspaper al-Ba`th criticizes Jordan for signing Washington Declaration, calling pact a "surprise" and a "violation" of Arab position in peace process. (NYT 7/29)
Jordanian M of State Jawad Anani, speaking to Washington Institute for Near East Policy, says Amman favors Dead Sea-Red Sea canal project with Israel, Aqaba-Eilat free-trade zone. (WT 7/31)
Lebanese PM Hariri orders military to prepare for possible Israeli strikes in retaliation for 7/18 bombing in Argentina blamed on Hizballah. Civilians in southern Lebanon flee north in anticipation of Israeli incursion. (NYT, WSJ 7/29)
WJC Pres. Edgar Bronfman says Argentina warned UK of potential bombings in London; UK denies advance warning. Argentine govt. official says Iranian diplomats suspects in 7/18 bombing. (NYT, WP, WT 7/29; JP 8/6)
Israeli intelligence agencies reach agreement with unspecified other countries on counterterrorism cooperation. (Ha'Aretz 7/29 in FBIS 7/29)
Israeli PM Rabin, Jordan's King Hussein sign "Washington Declaration" ending state of belligerency at White House ceremony with U.S. Pres. Clinton as witness. Declaration says sides "recognize their right and obligation to live in peace with each other." Agreement mandates direct telephone connections, linking of electrical grids, and immediate opening of 2 border crossings. Declaration also recognizes Hussein's "historic role" in safeguarding Muslim holy places in Jerusalem. Clinton calls Syrian Pres. al-Asad after ceremony, saying opportunity exists for progress in Israel-Syria talks. Later, Rabin and Hussein attend state dinner in their honor. (MM 7/25; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/26)
Israeli, Palestinian negotiators meet in Norway to discuss sharing of water resources. (Qol Yisra'el 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; WT 7/26)
PLO Chmn. Arafat swears in Judge Qusay al-Abadlah as PNA chief justice and head of supreme court. (Algiers VOP 7/26 in FBIS 7/27)
Kach movement holds paramilitary summer camp for youths at Qiryat Arba, including prayer at grave of Hebron killer Baruch Goldstein. Organizers avoid direct connection to Kach, outlawed after 2/25 massacre. (JP 7/25 in FBIS 7/27; WT 7/26)
Hizballah ambushes IDF patrol in southern Lebanon, killing 1 officer and wounding 13 soldiers. IDF tank unit pursues guerrillas to Yuhmur village. (RL 7/25, Qol Yisra'el 7/26 in FBIS 7/26; MM 7/26; WT 7/27)
UNSG Butrus Butrus-Ghali, in report to UNSC on renewal of UNIFIL mandate, orders study of how to reduce UNIFIL's 5,244-mbr. force. (WT 7/27)
Argentine officials blame Iran for 7/18 bombing of Buenos Aires Jewish center as confirmed death toll reaches 80. (NYT 7/26)
Israeli High Court of Justice accepts petition fr. Tsomet party to bar Yi'ud party fr. joining cabinet. Yi'ud made up of frmr. Tsomet mbrs. (MM 7/25)(see 7/12)
Military Action:
Pre-dawn gunbattle erupts between rival militias in Tripoli.
Casualties:
Estimated cost of infrastructural re-building in Lebanon placed at $10 billion; dozens of Palestinian families from South Lebanon reported to have asked for political asylum in Israel to escape Phalangist persecution.
Political Responses:
Israel / Occupied Territories: Cabinet votes 16 to 1 (Sharon) to accept Commission of Inquiry recommendations; Peace Now member killed, 10 others injured by hand grenade at anti-government demonstration; police protection given to 3 Commission members after threats; Ambassador Arens in Washington says he doubts Israeli policy on troop withdrawal or settlement of Palestinian issue will change as a result of Sharon's departure from Cabinet; Justice Minister Nissim says Sharon could take another ministerial position; deputy editor of Israeli Communist party newspaper al-Ittihad tells meeting in Haifa that Israeli Arabs are eager to take part in all matters of Israeli society but that lack of equality is turning them into a time bomb liable to explode in a few years.
Palestinians/ Lebanese: Executive Committee of PLO meets in Algiers prior to opening of PNC; Lebanese and Israeli negotiating teams meet in Kiryat Shemona for 14th round of talks, said to be constructive; Foreign Minister Salem says US has new proposals on withdrawal of foreign forces, and that Israel has dropped its demand for Israeli-manned watchposts.
US and Other Countries: Wall Street journal reports that Ali Hassan Salameh, head of Fateh's security and intellgience unit assassinated in Beirut in January 1979, had acted with Arafat's consent as information channel between PLO and CIA; State Department refuses to meet village League Chairman Dudeen.
