The Palestine Chronology

In Ramallah, Secy. of State Albright meets with Arafat; says PA must crack down on Islamists in a comprenehsive, relentless, and sustained manner; says that she is encouraged by Arafat promises to do so. Albright then meets again with PM Netanyahu in Jerusalem, calls for a "time-out" on Israeli settlement expansion, land confiscation, house demolitions, confiscations of Palestinian IDs. (MM 9/11; AFP 9/11 in WNC 9/12; CSM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 9/12; MM 9/15; PR 9/19; JP 9/20; MEI 9/26) (see Doc. D1)

Citing Russia's role in helping Iran build missiles and nuclear weapons, PM Netanyahu orders his government to halt talks with Moscow on buying natural gas. (WT 9/13)

Miami developer Moskowitz postpones plans to build Jewish housing at Ras al-Amud, saying he wants to construct more units than the Interior Min. permit allows. (NYT, WP, WT 7/27; YA 7/27, ITV 7/28 in WNC 7/29; MM, WT 7/28; al-Dustur 7/28 in WNC 7/29) (see 7/25)

The U.S. decides not to oppose a $1.6 b. pipeline that would carry huge quantities of natural gas fr. Turkmenistan across Iran to Turkey and Europe, marking the 1st significant easing of Iran's economic isolation since 1979. Though the U.S. will not endorse the project, it says the plan is not in violation of the 1996 Iran-Libya Sanctions Act, which bars U.S., foreign investments of more than $40 m. in the development of Iran's energy. (NYT, WP 7/27; MM 7/29; WT 7/30; MEI 8/8)

IAF Secy. Gen. Ishaq al-Farhan, 4 other mbrs. resign fr. the party over the 7/24 decision to boycott Jordan's 11/97 elections. (RMC 7/25 in WNC 7/28; al-Dustur 7/26, JT 7/27 in WNC 7/29; al-Sabil 7/29 in WNC 8/4) (see 7/25)

1 Lebanese civilian is wounded when an Israeli shell explodes close to her home in Suhmur in s. Lebanon. (RL 7/26 in WNC 7/29)

In Israel's 1st move to expand settlements, DM Mordechai approves placement of 298 government-owned mobile homes in Jewish settlements for public, educational use; admits units will be used primarily as living quarters. PM Netanyahu claims interim agmt. with PA does not prohibit Jews fr. building settlements on occupied land. PA protests. (QY 8/12 in FBIS 8/13; MM, WT 8/13; VOP 8/13 in FBIS 8/13; CSM, MM, WP 8/14; JP 8/24)

Israel demolishes 6 Palestinian homes: 1 in Jerusalem built without a permit, 2 n. of Jerusalem to make way for a bypass road, 3 nr. Ramallah. (PR 8/23) (see 8/6)

Israel's Interior M Eliyahu Suissa says $5 m. will be reallocated fr. local governments to settlements to help Jewish settlers pay expenses resulting fr. the Oslo agmts. (QY 8/12 in FBIS 8/12; MM 8/13; WT 8/14; WJW, WP, WT 8/15; JP 8/24)

PA arrests Adameer Exec. Dir. Muhammad Dahman, accuses him of fabricating 8/11 story of Dahlan's death in custody. (MM 8/15; PR 8/16)

Turkish PM Erbakan signs $23-b. natural gas deal with Iran; says Iran may use the Turkish ports of Trabzon, Iskenderun for trade with foreign countries. U.S. considers this a provocative challenge to its policy on Iran. (CSM, MM 8/12: MM 8/13; Hurriyet [Istanbul], Turkish Daily News 8/13 in WNC 8/21) (see 8/5, 8/11)

Republican National Convention adopts party platform, incl. paragraph on the Middle East. (NYT 8/13)

After Syria eases its demands for "equality" (see 4/3), Israel, Syria come to agmt. on "guidelines" for a security arrangement for Golan that would follow Israeli withdrawal. Details are to be worked out by military experts in late June. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/25; SARR 5/25 in FBIS 5/25; CSM, MM 5/26; JP 6/3; SARR 6/8 in FBIS 6/9)

In Damascus, PNG's Shak`a holds conference with 10 Damascus-based Palestinian factions opposed to Oslo Accord to discuss PNG's political program, need for alliance btwn. internal, external groups. Hamas refuses to attend. (al-Hayat, Voice of Iran 5/24 in FBIS 5/25; al-Safir 6/15 in FBIS 6/23) (see 2/21)

Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer says Israel will continue building housing in East Jerusalem despite suspension of 4/27 confiscation, plans for 6,500 new units on 620 acres of Palestinian land at Har Homa settlement in East Jerusalem will be ready soon. (QY 5/23, AFP 5/24 in FBIS 5/24; NYT, WT 5/24; JP 5/24 in FBIS 5/25; PR 5/28, 6/4; WSJ 6/6)

In Gaza, FM Peres, Arafat discuss industrial parks. In a gesture of goodwill in light of land conflict, Peres increases number of Palestinians allowed to work in Israel to 35,000, says PA will be allowed to take over 8 more spheres (5 agreed upon 5/16 plus agriculture, census and statistics, local administration) before 7/1. (MM 5/22; IDF Radio, QY, VOP 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; NYT 5/23; PR 5/28)

PM Rabin suspends confiscation of 134 acres of land in Jerusalem, killing no-confidence vote brought by Arab and rightist MKs that could have collapsed the government (see 5/17). Arab nations postpone minisummit on Jerusalem (see 5/21). (MM 5/22; ESC Television, IDF Radio, MENA, QY, VOP 5/22, MA, MENA, QY, VOP 5/23 in FBIS 5/23; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/23; CSM, MM 5/24; WJW 5/25; MEI 5/26; PR 6/28; JP 6/3; WSJ 6/6; MEI 6/9)

FM Peres tells Arafat that Israel will loan the PA $125 m.--the sum Israel should hand over for tax collection on behalf of PA but cannot due to delays in Knesset legislation. (QY 5/22 in FBIS 5/23)

PLO's Qaddumi meets with heads of Palestinian opposition groups in Damascus, incl. DFLP's Nayif Hawatmeh, Islamic Jihad's Fathi Shiqaqi, Palestinian National Grouping's (PNG) Bassam al-Shak'a, a Hamas rep. (RMC 5/23 in FBIS 5/24)

UNRWA Commissioner Gen. Ilter Türkman meets with Arafat in Gaza to discuss UN activities in Gaza, Jericho. (UNRWA News 6/2)

IDF soldier opens fire on, throws grenades into Jaffa church, causing extensive damage but no casualties. 11 Palestinians are injured when clashes erupt outside church btwn. Palestinians, Israeli police. (ITV, QY 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; WT 5/23; MM, WT 5/24)

2d Palestinian accused of collaborating with Israel dies in Jericho during interrogation by PSF mbrs. fr. Col. Rajub's unit. Human rights groups vow to investigate. PA promises to discipline those responsible. 1st Palestinian killed in custody died 7/94; officers arrested after that death were soon released by PA. (WP 1/19; VOP 1/18, QY 1/19 in FBIS 1/19)

Official delegation fr. Israeli Energy Min. travels to Oman for mtgs. with Omani Petroleum M Sa'id Bin Ahmad al-Shanfari on natural gas issues. (IGPO 1/18 in FBIS 1/19; JP 1/28)

Attempting to defuse settlement issue, PM Rabin promises all new housing starts in West Bank will have to get approval of the cabinet. (QY 1/18 in FBIS 1/19; WT 1/19)

Ma'ale Efrayim settlement council begins selling vacant housing units; expects 60 families to move to settlement by this summer. (QY 1/18 in FBIS 1/18)

PLO Chmn. Arafat, Israeli FM Peres open talks in Cairo aimed at implementing Palestinian autonomy in Gaza and Jericho. Both sides report progress. (MENA 2/7, 2/8 in FBIS 2/8; WP, WT 2/8)

Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin meets in Washington with Qatari, Omani officials to discuss Qatar-Israel natural gas deal, multilateral mtg. on water set for 4/94 in Muscat. (MM 2/9)

Hizballah guerrillas ambush IDF patrol in southern Lebanon, killing 4 IDF soldiers and wounding 5. Ambush triggers IAF strikes on 3 villages, SLA, IDF shelling. (MM 2/7; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/8)

Meretz MKs Naomi Chazan and Benny Temkin demand that PM Rabin, in capacity as DM, ban travel of 40 IDF elite force veterans to Congo to act as military trainers. Leftist legislators view veterans as mercenaries being used to support Brazzaville regime. (WT 2/10)

Knesset recognizes "Yi'ud" faction made up of frmr. Tsomet MKs. (see 2/2) (MM 2/7)

Sens. Connie Mack (R-FL) and Alfonse D'Amato ask Pres. Clinton to withdraw nomination of Strobe Talbott as dep. secy. of state because of his "extreme views" on Israel, which "go beyond common criticisms to a systematic attack upon the foundations of America's close relationship with Israel." (WT 2/8)

PLO official Nabil Shaath says Israel-PLO talks in Cairo getting to detailed level, reports progress and exchange of drafts on security arrangements. (WP 1/27)

King Hussein meets Secy. of State Christopher in Washington, D.C. At news conference marking end of U.S. visit Jordanian ruler calls for "interfaith dialogue" on Jerusalem's holy places, reiterates that East Jerusalem should be restored to Arab rule. Hussein also says he hopes to meet Israeli PM Rabin "before too long." (NYT, WP, WT 1/27)

Qatari FM Shaykh Hamad bin Jassim alThani, visiting U.S., says Arab states have "been discussing" boycott of Israel and "are ready to take some action" on phasing it out. Al-Thani also confirms Israel and Qatar discussing supply of Qatari natural gas to Israel. (MM, NYT 1/27)

Resident of Jabaliya camp, Gaza, killed, presumably for collaboration with occupation. (Qol Yisra'el 1/27 in FBIS 1/28)

Company for Developing Old Jaffa announces agreement with Vatican on setting up Vatican embassy in Franciscan church in Jaffa, 1st embassy in Israel in historically Arab city. (MM 1/26)

Settlers demonstrate at Israel-Gaza Strip crossing points to protest 11/17 killing of IDF soldier Haim Darina, but IDF presents them fr. blocking roads. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for the attack. (MM, RMC 11/18)

PLO establishes Development and Construction Bank under World Bank supervision to receive international funds for Palestinian development. (Al-Dustur 11/18 in FBIS 11/18)

Israeli Energy M. Moshe Shahal signs agreement with Egyptian Oil M. Hamdi al-Banbi on preparations for Egypt-Israel natural gas pipeline. (Qol Yisra'el 11/19 in FBIS 11/19)

King Hussein names 23 mbrs. of 40-mbr. Jordanian senate, including frmr. PM Zaid Rifa'i and Senate spkr. Ahmad Lawzi. (MM 11/19)

French FM Alain Juppe holds talks with Syrian Pres. al-Asad at start of tour of Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, proceeds to Amman for talks with Jordan's King Hussein. (MM 11/19; SARR, JNA 11/18 in FBIS 11/18)

Israeli archaeologists in "Operation Scroll" report finding 2d century A.D. manuscripts and artifacts in Wadi Qarantal, nr. Jericho. (NYT 11/19)

Israeli officials report secret negotiations with Qatar for export of Qatari natural gas to Israel to be reexported to Europe by way of pipelines. Qatari govt. sources deny reports. (NYT 10/29)