The Palestine Chronology

In Aqaba, King Abdallah of Jordan receives Shaykh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain for 2 days of talks on bilateral, regional issues. Both men express support for an independent Palestinian state. (WT 6/13; RJ 6/13 in WNC 6/14)

In Algiers, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Algeria's Pres. Bouteflika hold talks on bilateral, regional issues, including the peace process. Mubarak then heads to Morocco for 2 days of similar talks with King Hassan. (MENA 6/12 in WNC 6/14; JUM, RE 6/14 in WNC 6/15; MM 6/15)

Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Jordan's King Hussein meet for 1st time in 4 yrs. in Aqaba; agree to renew relations frozen since 1990 Gulf crisis, try to find "unified Arab understanding of all Arab and regional issues." (JT, MENA, RJ 1/21, RE 1/22 in FBIS 1/23; NYT, WP, WT 1/22; MENA 1/23; JP 1/28)

U.S. Asst. Secy of State for Near East Affairs Robert Pelletreau arrives in Egypt to take part in multilateral steering comm. mtg.; holds talks with Egyptian FM Musa, Israeli Dep. FM Beilin aimed at reconciling Israel, Egypt. (MENA 1/21, 1/23 in FBIS 1/23; MENA, al-Ra`y 1/24 in FBIS 1/25)

Poll conducted by Palestinian Center for Public Opinion shows 57% of Palestinians polled approve of 1/22 bombings, would like to see more such actions such inside Israel; 32% do not approve--almost exact opposite of results received 5 mos. ago. (WP 1/31)

PM Rabin, FM Peres, Arafat end 4 days of talks in Stockholm on elections, Israeli security. Rabin tells Arafat to choose btwn. early elections, no redeployment or protracted negotiations on both issues, delaying elections for 1 yr.; Arafat rejects both. Israel says it no longer rejects Hamas mbrs. participation in elections, only al-Qassam Brigade mbrs. (QY 12/11 in FBIS 12/12; CSM, MM 12/12; CSM, WT 12/13; HA 12/14 in FBIS 12/16; MEI 12/16; JP 12/16 in FBIS 12/19; JP 12/24)

Israeli Atty. Gen. orders Finance M to withhold transfer of Israeli funds to PA until law on implementation of Gaza-Jericho agmt. is enacted. PM Rabin fears delay may affect continuation of talks because large sums are involved. (QY 12/13 in FBIS 12/12) (see 11/23)

Joint Jordanian-Israeli transportation comm. meets at Dead Sea Hotel to discuss investment projects. (RJ 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; RJ 12/13 in FBIS 12/14)

Representatives fr. Israel, Jordan, Egypt, PA meet in Aqaba to discuss linking electricity grids. (JTV 12/12 in FBIS 12/13)

Israeli-Palestinian Center for Research and Information opens 2-day conference on environment in Jerusalem, attended by Israeli, Palestinian, Jordanian, Egyptian representatives. Parties announce establishment of joint Eco-Peace Task Force to monitor effects of increased development on environment. (JP 12/13 in FBIS 12/13)

PA calls on Mubarak to pressure Libya to let into the country 200 Palestinians stranded on Egyptian, Tunisian borders. 2 children have already died awaiting entry. (ITV 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; VOP 12/13 in FBIS 12/14) (see 12/11)

PA refuses Israeli request to extradite 2 Palestinian policemen who killed settler; says murder occurred before DOP was signed. (AFP 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; QY 1/1 in FBIS 1/4; WJW 1/5)

Israeli-Jordanian peace treaty is signed on Israel-Jordan border by PM Rabin, King Hussein. Agmt. removes trade sanctions, opens border btwn. the countries, gives Jordan special rights to holy cities in Jerusalem. Clinton attends, but neither Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Arafat are invited. PLO factions, Hamas order general strike in Israeli o.t., autonomous areas to protest signing. (MM 10/26; VOP 10/26 in FBIS 10/26; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/27; JP 11/5)

Pres. Clinton addresses joint session of Jordanian parliament; outlines Middle East economic plan; says U.S. will help establish a Middle East Development Bank, provide $75 m. for new private investment in Jordan. (MM 10/27)

Multilaterals on environment end. Mbrs. agree on "Codes of good conduct and cooperation," need to prevent industrial pollution and toxic dumping, creation of regional environmental protection center in Manama. Gulf states refuse to work with Israel on Aqaba cleanup project. (AFP 10/26 in FBIS 10/27)

Hizballah shells Israeli positions in southern Lebanon. IDF, SLA respond, shelling Hizballah camps. No damage reported. (QY 10/26 in FBIS 10/26; NYT, WP, WT 10/27; JP 11/5)

Arafat calls Jordanian-Israeli agmt. betrayal of Palestinian interest, "outrageous infringement" on DOP; expresses outrage that King Hussein did not confer with him. Syrian Pres. al-Asad warns leasing plan will not work for Golan. Other PNA, Fatah figures (e.g., Marwan Barghouti, Ilyas Frayj, Faisal Husseini, Rajub, Shaath) welcome agmt. (NYT, WP, WT 10/19; ITV 10/17, QY, RE 10/18, in FBIS 10/18; JP 10/29)

Syrian Pres. al-Asad condemns Jordan-Israel agmt., says it will not set precedent for Syrian-Israeli negotiations; leaves for Cairo to meet with Pres. Mubarak, discuss Jordanian-Israeli treaty, peace talks, Iraq. (MM 10/18; MENA 10/18 in FBIS 10/19; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/19; WJW 9/27)

Talks on elections resume in Cairo. Due to recent Hamas attacks, PNA says it will exclude those opposed to peace process from participating in elections, will allow Israelis to sit on election supervisory comm. (AFP 10/18 in FBIS 10/18; MENA 10/19 in FBIS 10/19)

Israeli-Jordanian talks resume in Aqaba to discuss final details of treaty; start outlining joint development projects (to be finalized within 9 mos.) (RJ 10/18 in FBIS 10/18)

Trilateral US-Jordan-Israel mtg. held to discuss aid, economic issues. (RJ 10/18 in FBIS 10/18)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Curfews are imposed on Nusayrat camp and parts of Gaza City [FJ 10/30].

Other Countries: Jordan's King Hussein, PLO chairman Yasir Arafat, and Egyptian pres. Husni Mubarak meet in Aqaba. An aide to Mubarak states the meeting was to "let him [the Israeli voter] know when he casts his vote that there is an Arab partner ready for negotiations" [NYT 10/23]. Arafat, Hussein agree in principle to a Jordanian-PLO confederation [LAT 10/24].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations erupt throughout the occupied territories leaving 12 people injured [FJ 10/30].

Arab World: Israeli soldier dies from wounds received during a car bombing on 10/19 [NYT 10/24].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: John Cardinal O'Connor tours Baqa'a refugee camp near Amman and expresses sympathy for Palestinian plight [NYT 12/30]. Reports indicate Lebanese Pres. Jumayyil is ready to back Amal against PLO if Syria can ease Muslim resistance in his cabinet [PI 12/29]. Amal leader Nabih Berri calls for immediate cease-fire in Beirut and S. Lebanon and announces his forces will allow food and medical supplies into 'Ayn al-Hilwah camp. Egypt's Pres. Mubarak and Jordan's King Hussein hold third round of talks in 'Aqaba [LAT 12/30].

Other Countries: U.S. Justice Dept. confirms Lt. Col. North told investigators that the idea to use profits from arms sales to Iran for the Nicaraguan contras originated with "a senior Israeli official." David Kimche denies suggesting such a plan [NYT 12/30].