The Palestine Chronology

Pres. Bush orders U.S. forces in Gulf in- creased by about 200,000, a new deployment he says would ensure that an "offensive military option" is available if needed. Increase will raise number of troops in region to about 430,000 [WP, NYT 11/9].

After meeting with Sec. Baker, Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze says that although USSR wants a diplomatic settlement to Gulf crisis, military force may be required to expel Iraq from Kuwait [WP, NYT 11/9].

Washington Post reports that in the past week 3 Marine generals have warned that U.S. military supply lines in Gulf are showing signs of strain and have urged that military stockpiles be increased before any U.S. offensive [WP 11/9].

Israeli soldier and Arab are killed in gunfight after 5 Arabs cross border from Jordan, allegedly seeking revenge on 1 month anniversary of Haram al-Sharif killings [IDF, JDS 11/8 in FBIS 11/9; MEM 11/8; WP, NYT 11/9].

D.M. Moshe Arens says Israel will not let Lebanese gov't regain control of S. Lebanon "security zone" controlled by Israel [NYT 11/9].

Saddam Hussein has dismissed his military chief of staff, Lt. Gen. Nazir al-Khazraji, according to Iraqi army newspaper Al-Qadisiya [MEM 11/8; NYT 11/9]. 

Military Action:

6 separate attacks against IDF include tank damaged by mine near Kafr Shima, explosion on road south of Damour near IDF patrol, APC hit by explosion at Kabar Shamoun, small arms fire at IDF trucks in Beirut, bomb near troop buses, small arms fire at IDF patrols near Zaharani river.

Casualties:

IDF reports 1 soldier killed, 3 injured in attacks, Lebanese National Resistance Front says 20 IDF killed or wounded.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Israel makes no official response to Hussein's decision regarding negotiations, reportedly considers Reagan plan dead; new WZO settlement department plan calls for 57 new settlements in next 4 years, bringing total to 165, with Jewish population of West Bank 100,000 by 1986 and Jewish-Arab population parity at 1.3 million in 30 years; spokesman for Israeli Embassy in US says West Bank land is being sold in the US not by government but by private group associated with Kedumim settlement; 10,000 dunums from Surif village near Hebron declared state land under military order 59; High Court legalizes 1976 imposition of Value Added Tax (VAT) in occupied territories; Cabinet nominates Meir Rosenne, ambassador to France, to replace Arens as ambassador to US.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: PLO officials deny Jordanian statement that Hussein and Arafat had reached agreement on a course of political action; Issam Sartawi assassinated at Socialist International congress in Portugal, Abu Nidal group claims responsibility.

Arab Governments: Jordan says Hussein and Arafat had reached agreement in principle and detail, PLO now proposes different course, so Jordan will not enter peace talks on basis of Reagan plan, will not act separately or in lieu of any party, and will leave it to PLO and Palestinian people to choose the ways and means for the salvation of themselves and their land.

US and Other Countries: Reagan says radical elements in PLO introduced changes in peace proposals that are an impediment, and are unacceptable to King Fahd, King Hussein and to US; Reagan telephones Kings Fahd, Hussein, and Hassan II of Morocco.