The Palestine Chronology

Jordan holds emergency session of the Arab Parliamentary Union (APU) to rally support for Iraq. Iraq sends delegation; Kuwait does not. Iraq protests that the mtg.'s final statement (which says U.S.-led attack jeopardized regional peace, worsened economic hardships for Iraqis) is not strong enough, should condemned U.S. intentions to overthrow the Iraqi regime. (al-Dustur, JT, JTV, MBC, al-Ra'i 12/27 in WNC 12/29; CSM 12/28; al-Bayan, al-Dustur 12/29 in WNC 12/31)

On the 3d day of its attack on Iraq, the U.S. can confirm that only 18 of its 89 targets have been severely damaged or destroyed, despite having fired more laser-guided missiles in 2 days than during the entire 1991 Gulf War. Only U.S. planes stationed in Kuwait, Oman have flown; Saudi Arabia, Turkey have not permitted their bases to be used as staging grounds. (ATL, ITV 12/18 in WNC 12/22; NYT, WP, WT 12/19; MEI 12/25)

For the 2d day, U.S.-British strikes on Iraq prompt street protests across the Middle East. 15,000 Palestinians demonstrate in Nablus, while 1,000s of others protest in Bethlehem, Gaza City, Hebron, Jinin, Ramallah. PA police break up protest in Gaza City only; the PA closes some television, radio stations, news bureaus for reporting on the demonstrations. Syria's grand mufti denounces the U.S.-led operation. Pro-Iraq demonstrations are held in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Yemen. (MM 12/18; SANA 12/18, al-Ra'i 12/19, JT 12/20 in WNC 12/22; NYT, WT 12/19; MEI 12/25)

Fmr. UNSCOM cheif inspector Scott Ritter claims that UNSCOM head Butler chose sites for inspection that he knew would provoke the Iraqis, then ordered halt to inspections on 12/13 to meet U.S. bombing time table; also says that the White House national security staff helped draft Butler's 12/15 report to ensure it contained sufficiently tough language to justify an attack. Butler denies showing his report to the U.S. in advance of its release, but National Security Adviser (NSA) Sandy Berger admits Butler briefed him personally 12/13. (WT 12/19; WP 12/20; MENA 12/20, al-Akhbar, MA 12/21 in WNC 12/22) (see 12/16)

PA police arrest 4 leading Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) mbrs., 8 journalists at march marking PFLP's 31st anniversary. (NYT, WT 12/19)

Knesset approves additional NIS 20 m. to fund expanding settlements in the West Bank, Golan. (PR 1/1)

Pres. Clinton asks Secy. Albright to cancel her trip to Europe for the G-8 summit, meet with PM Netanyahu in Washington 5/13 in another effort to "overcome the remaining differences." (MM 5/11; MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/12)

In a 2d emergency session, CPMAJO mbrs. vote 27-3 to ask for a mtg. with Clinton; to draft letter objecting pressure on Israel, Hillary Clinton's 5/6 statements. (WP, WT 5/12; WJW 5/14) (see 5/7)

In Beirut, FM Buwayz discusses Israel's conditional withdrawal proposal with Nigerian FM Mamane Sambo Sidikou. (RL 5/11 in WNC 5/12)

In Ankara, Turkish PM Mesut Yilmaz, Dep. Chief of Staff Gen. Çevik Bir attend 50th anniversary reception at the Israeli embassy. (Anatolia 5/12 in WNC 5/13)

13 yrs. after denying him sanctuary claiming that he was not its spy, Israel officially recognizes Pollard as its agent in hopes of negotiating his release. (NYT, WP, WT 5/12; MA 5/13 in WNC 5/14; WJW 5/14) (see 4/14)

Iran, Iraq launch their 1st joint operation to search for remains of soldiers killed in their 1980+n88 war. (WP 5/12)

Hamas's Shaykh Yasin arrives in Kuwait. (MM 5/12)

In retaliation for SLA shelling of Lebanese village that wounded 2 civilians, Hizballah units in s. Lebanon fire rockets at IDF base just inside n. Israel, injuring 2 soldiers. (AFP, ITV, MBC, RL 5/11 in WNC 5/12; ITV, VOL 5/11 in WNC 5/13; WT 5/12; al-Diyar 5/12 in WNC 5/18)

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)

In Cairo, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, PA's Arafat discuss peace process, British PM Blair's tour, upcoming visit by U.S. special envoy Ross. (MENA 4/22 in WNC 4/28)

In Beirut, Speaker Birri briefs Kuwait's National Assembly Speaker Ahmad `Abd al-Aziz al-Sa'dun on Israel's proposal for conditional withdrawal fr. s. Lebanon. (RL 4/22 in WNC 4/28)

Arab League mbrs. sign 1st Arab antiterrorism convention, which exempts armed attacks against foreign occupiers. (WT 4/22; RE 4/23 in WNC 4/28; PR 5/1)

Shaykh Murtada Burujirdi, top candidate for the position of grand spiritual leader of Shi'i Muslims worldwide, is assassinated in Najaf, Iraq. Iraqi officials have previously threatened him. (NYT 4/24; al-Ahd [Beirut] 4/24 in WNC 4/30)

A bomb explodes outside the Jordanian Highway Patrol Directorate in Suwaylih, n. of Amman, causing damage but no injuries. No one claims responsibility. (RJ 5/10 in WNC 5/13)

Yedi'ot Aharonot reports that in an interview with its paper last wk., fmr. CIA officer and convicted Russian mole Aldrich Ames stated that after the Pollard affair was uncovered, the CIA recruited a high-level Israeli to spy for the U.S. A U.S. intelligence source reportedly confirmed the story but said that the agent, who was never detected, was in place long before the Pollard incident, was removed when Pollard was captured. (YA 4/22, 4/24 in WNC 4/27)

An SLA mbr. is injured when a roadside bomb explodes in s. Lebanon. (VOL 4/22 in WNC 4/28)

UN approves request by Secy. Gen. Annan to raise the amount of oil Iraq is allowed to sell under the oil-for-food agreement fr. $2 b. to $5.2 b. every six mos. (NYT 2/21, 2/22) (see 2/2)

State Dept. advises U.S. dependents, nonemergency personnel to leave Israel, Kuwait in anticipation of strike on Iraq. (WT 2/21)

In Ma'an, Jordan, march led by opposition leader Laith Shubailat to protest U.S. position on Iraq turns violent, with marchers setting fire to cars, breaking shop windows, firing guns at police. Police kill 1 protester, injure 3, arrest Shubailat for inciting a riot. (RJ, RMC, SANA 2/20 in WNC 2/24; WT 2/21; WP 2/23; MEI 2/27)

EU Pres. Santer arrives in Damascus for 2 days of talks on the peace process, meets with Syrian pres. Asad. (SANA 2/11 in WNC 2/12; SATN 2/11 in WNC 2/15)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes nr. Hebron to make way for expansion of Israeli quarries. (LAW 2/17)

Ultraorthodox Jew is stabbed to death in East Jerusalem. Israel suspects Palestinian militants. (NYT, WP 2/12, PR 2/20)

In Amman, Jordanian police arrest youth attempting to throw molotov cocktail at British embassy to protest potential military strike on Iraq. (RJ 2/11 in WNC 2/12; MM 2/12; JT, SA 2/12 in WNC 2/15)

Iraq offers U.S. a Russia-brokered compromises for inspections at 8 presidential palaces over 2-mo. period. U.S. rejects plan, saying it is not up to Iraq to set conditions for inspections, Iraq must agree to inspections of all sites for indefinite period. (MM 2/11; WP 2/12; JTV 2/12 in WNC 2/17)

In Kuwait, GCC states hold emergency mtg. on Iraq crisis, say they prefer diplomatic to military solution. (U.S. Defense Secy. Cohen, who is in Bahrain today, says that all 6 states have agreed that Saddam Hussein should bear all responsibility for an attack if he does not fully comply with UN requirements.) (MM 2/11, 2/12)

In Washington, Israeli, PA teams hold separate follow-up talks on the peace process with State Dept. Dep. Special Coordinator for Arab-Israeli Negotiations Aaron Miller, special envoy Ross. No progress is made. Israeli team is led by Cabinet Secy. Nave, Netanyahu foreign policy adviser Uzi Arad. PA team is led by Local Government M Erakat; PLO Washington rep. Hassan `Abd al-Rahman also attends. (JT 2/10 in WNC 2/12; WP 2/10; MM, WJW 2/12; PR 2/13)

In Amman, EU Pres. Santer discusses peace process with Jordanian PM Majali. (RJ 2/10 in WNC 2/11)

In Amman, PA, Jordan open 3 days of talks on expanding cooperation in health-related fields. (JT 2/10 in WNC 2/11; JT 2/11 in WNC 2/12)

Russian special envoy Posuvalyuk delivers message to Israeli PM Netanyahu fr. Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein, saying that Iraq has "neither the intention nor the ability" to attack Israel. (WT 2/11; CSM 2/18)

After PM Netanyahu demands halt to Palestinian pro-Iraq demonstrations, PA's Gaza police chief Brig. Gen. Ghazi Jabali issues order preventing all marches, protests, flag burnings in area A. Human rights groups say order undermines right to peaceful assembly. (LAW 2/10; IDF Radio, ITV 2/10 in WNC 2/11; NYT 2/11; PR 2/13)

Jordan bans all demonstrations "for any reason," citing preservation of national security given the "delicate" regional situation. (JTV 2/10 in WNC 2/11; JTV 2/11, JT 2/12 in WNC 2/15; JTV 2/12 in WNC 2/17)

Defense Secy. Cohen says that Oman has given the U.S. permission to station support planes in Oman for an attack on Iraq; combat units will be station in Bahrain, Kuwait, Germany, Spain, Diego Garcia. (MM 2/10; CSM , MM 2/11)

Secy. of State Albright meets with Arafat to follow up on 1/22 mtg. with Clinton, urges him to consider the U.S. FRD proposal. After mtg., Albright announces that Arafat, Netanyahu have agreed to send envoys to Washington in 1 wk. to try to break impasse. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/2; CSM, NYT 2/3; MEI 2/13)

Netanyahu asks Secy. of State Albright for 2+n3 days advance warning of a U.S. attack on Iraq, immediate defensive measures against an Iraqi biological attack. Albright probes Israel's intentions on the manner, scale of its reprisal should Iraq strike Israel. (WP 2/2; MM 2/3; WT 2/5)

After mtg. with Arafat, Netanyahu, Secy. of State Albright heads to Kuwait, Saudi Arabia to gauge support for strike on Iraq. Kuwait supports use of force as last resort. Saudi Arabia says that U.S. may not stage attack on Iraq fr. its territory but will consider allowing U.S. planes to use its airspace. Arab League, France, Jordan, PA, Russia, Turkey send envoys to Iraq to persuade Saddam Hussein to abandon opposition to UNSCOM inspection of palaces. Egypt, Iran, Qatar, Syria warn attack would increase regional tensions. (NYT, WT 2/2; MM, WT 2/3; WP 2/4)

PM Netanyahu orders halt to preliminary negotiations (initiated by Infrastructures M Sharon) with Iran regarding repayment of Israelis $1.2 b. debt to Iran. (Globes [Internet] 2/1 in WNC 2/4) (see 9/20/97)

At entrance to Bethlehem, Palestinians clash with IDF for 3d straight day, leaving 6 Palestinians injured. During clash, IDF troops, PA police train weapons on each other but do not fire. (WT 2/2) (see 1/30)

Lebanese army eases siege on Britel to allow 10,000 Lebanese to hold funeral for Shaykh Khudr Tlays, Tufayli's right hand man who was killed in clash 1/30. Tufayli is still on the run. (MM, WT 2/2; MM 2/9; MEI 2/13)

3 civilians are wounded during IDF bombardment of Mashghara village in s. Lebanon. (RL 2/2 in WNC 2/4)