The Palestine Chronology

PM Shamir chairs ministerial meeting to discuss formation of Jewish "civil guard" in o.t. (ITV 12/25 in FBIS 12/26)

Jerusalem mayor Teddy Kollek leads demonstration against settlers who moved into contested homes in Silwan. (MM 1/2)

Shiite cleric Muhammad Hussein Fadlallah addresses Beirut conference on intifada. Representatives from Fateh-Revolutionary Council [Abu Nidal], PFLP, Iranian Revolutionary Guards also speak. (Voice of Oppressed 12/26 in FBIS 12/27)

GCC ends summit, reaffirms commitment to "Damascus Declaration." Meeting also issues "Kuwait Declaration" supporting peace talks based on UN Sec. Council resolutions 242, 338, 425, affirming GCC support of multilateral talks with Israel. (MM 1/2)

Israel, Zambia renew diplomatic ties broken since 1973. (Qol Yisra'el 12/25 in FBIS 12/31)

DM Arens warns settlement leaders that IDF will not tolerate settlers taking law into their own hands. (Qol Yisra'el 12/23 in FBIS 12/27)

Chinese vice FM arrives in Israel, most senior Chinese official to visit Israel to date. (ITV 12/23 in FBIS 12/24)

Body left alongside road in Beirut 12/21 is identified as that of American hostage William Higgins, whom Organization of the Oppressed on Earth claimed it executed in July 1989 but whom UN officials believed died of torture in December 1988. (WP 12/23, 12/24)

Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) begins annual summit in Kuwait. (MM 1/2)

Middle East peace conference opens in the royal palace in Madrid with delegations from Israel, Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, and the joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation present. Conference begins with short speech by Spanish PM Felipe Gonzalez, followed by addresses by conference co-conveners Presidents Bush and Gorbachev, and Dutch FM Hans van den Broek, representating the European Community. Soviet FM Boris Pankin and Secy. of State Baker were also present at the negotiating table. Saudi ambassador to the U.S. Prince Bandar bin Sultan and 'Abdullah Bishara, secy. gen. of the Gulf Cooperation Council, also attend the conference, but are not seated at the table. Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa delivers the first address by one of the negotiating delegations. Secy. of State Baker confirms that it was not certain whether or not second phase bilateral talks between Israel and the Arab delegations would commence 11/2 as scheduled due to disagreement between Israel, Arab delegations over venue of such talks. Israel is pushing for holding the negotiations in the Middle East, while Arab delegations seek to continue to hold such talks in Madrid. (NYT 10/31)

Hamas calls for a general strike to protest the peace conference. But 2,000 Palestinian supporters of Fateh, some armed with clubs and knives and waving Palestinian flags, march in favor of the peace talks in Gaza as Israeli troops follow them but make no effort to disperse the gathering. The marchers clashed with supporters of Hamas, injuring four. Five thousand other PLO supporters march in Khan Yunis. Pro-peace conference activists in Qalqiliya, Jenin force shopkeepers to open their shops which had been closed following orders by Hamas to observe ageneral strike. Elsewhere, Israeli security forces kill one Palestinian in Hebron, wound at least 24 in Gaza and 11 in Nablus during clashes. (NYT, WP, MEM 10/31)

Iraqi National Assembly condemns peace conference, attacks Syria, Egypt for their participation. (MEM 10/31)

Some 10,000 Lebanese march in Beirut against peace conference. (WP 10/31)

Israeli, South Lebanon Army forces bombard villages near Nabatiyya, S. Lebanon, in retaliation for 10/29 attacks on Israeli troops. (NYT 10/31)

Washington Post reports that Pres. Bush waived sanctions against Israel, called for under U.S. law seeking to stop international transfers of ballistic technology, after U.S. intelligence determined that Israel exported missile components to South Africa. Bush reportedly took into account the fact that Israel recently agreed to adhere to the 1987 Convention for the Limitation of the Spread of Missile Technology when deciding not to punish Israel. Administration officials also stated that Bush did not wish to hurt Israel's position at upcoming peace conference by publicly punishing Israel at this time. (WP 10/27)

Six-member GCC announces willingness to participate in multilateral talks on regional issues, the third stage of the peace process. GCC earlier [10/19] stated it would attend opening ceremonies. (MEM 10/28)

Egypt announces delegation to peace talks. (MEM 10/28)

After meeting with Syrian FM al-Sharaa, Egyptian pres. Mubarak states multilateral discussions on regional issues, the proposed third stage of peace talks, should not begin before significant progress has been made during bilateral negotiations between Israel, Arabs. Syria has been pushing for delaying the third stage talks until Israel displays willingness to evacuate from the occupied territories. But Mubarak notes that no agreement on this point has yet been made among the Arabs despite the agreement to "coordinate" policies made at recent Arab foreign ministers meeting in Damascus [see 10/23, 10/24]. PLO Pol. Dept. Head Faruq al-Qaddumi, however, states that the foreign ministers did agree to link attendance at the multilateral discussions with Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories. Both statements come in wake of behind the-scenes struggle between Egypt and Gulf states on one hand, Syria on the other, over whether to proceed with multilateral talks before Arab-Israeli agreement isreached in bilateral talks. (MEM 10/28)

Israeli soldier seriously injured in Nablus when he is struck by a concrete block thrown from a roof. Another man on the roof is shot and wounded by Israeli troops. Security forces clamp a curfew on Nablus. (MEM 10/28)

The door of the American Cultural Center in Jerusalem burned by unknown persons, but a slogan painted nearby stating "America is the enemy-Kach" seems to implicate the ultra-nationalist Kach movement. (MEM 10/28)

U.S., Bahrain sign defense cooperation agreement. (MEM 10/28)

Chmn. Arafat meets Pres. al-Asad in Damascus, the first time the two bitter rivals have met since 1983. The two reportedly agree that the multilateral Arab-Israeli talks on regional cooperation, envisaged as the third-stage of the peace process, would be futile unless Israel agrees to withdraw from the o.t. (MEM 10/21)

Asad had earlier met with Soviet FM Pankin, while FM al-Sharaa received the U.S., Soviet ambassadors who issued invitation to attend the peace conference. Syria indicated it would formally respond to the invitation in a few days' time. (WP 10/20)

Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini submits list of 14 Palestinian delegates to peace conference to U.S. consul in Jerusalem. (WP 10/20)

Jordan formally accepts the U.S.-Soviet invitation to attend peace conference. (WP 10/20)

Gulf Cooperation Council Secy. Gen. 'Abdullah Bishara indicates he will head GCC delegation to peace conference. (AFP 10/19 in FBIS 10/21)

Israel reports it has received positive information that one of its five missing soldiers in Lebanon, Yossi Fink, is dead, in a move which may expedite the ongoing comprehensive prisoner-hostage exchange negotiations. (WP 10/20)

"International Conference in Support of the Islamic Revolution in Palestine" opens in Tehran with 800 delegates from 60 countries in attendance. PNC Speaker 'Abd al-Hamid Sa'ih, delegates from the main constituent PLO groups attend, as do representatives of Hamas, Islamic Jihad of Palestine [Fathi Shaqaqi], and groups within the Palestinian National Salvation Front. Iranian pres. Hashimi Rafasanjani declares Iran is willing to send troops to help establish a Palestinian state. (WP 10/20; MEM 10/21, 10/23)

Israel refuses to alter position on peace talks in response to 7/14 Syrian decision to accept compromise position suggested by U.S. (WP 7/16)

PLO committee meets in Tunis to discuss convening session of Palestine National Council. Hamas boycotts meeting, complains that PNC membership should be determined by elections in occupied territories and in exile. Groups comprising Palestinian National Salvation Front also boycott meeting after PLO invited only those PNSF groups which had membership inthe Palestine National Council before 1983. (MEM 7/16, 7/26)

Representatives of the eight Arab states (6 Gulf Cooperation Council members, Egypt, and Syria) party to the 3/6 Damascus Declaration, which created an Arab security force led by Syrian, Egyptian troops, for deployment in the Gulf region, begin meeting in Kuwait to discuss possible changes to the Declaration. Move comes in wake of reservations by some Gulf states about permanent SyrianEgyptian force in region, Egyptian concern that Gulf states intend to include Iran in Gulf security proposals. (MEM 7/16) 

Saudi Arabia and other 5 member states of GCC agree to send observer to opening session of any Middle East peace conference that Sec. Baker is trying to organize (cf. 5/11) [WP 5/11; MEM 5/13; KUNA 5/11 in FBIS 5/13].

F.M. Bessmertnykh becomes highest ranking Soviet official ever to visit Israel; no progress reportedly made in talks on overcoming obstacles to Middle East peace conference. Israeli officials express concern over Bessmertnykh's 5/9 remarks in Jordan [WP, NYT, LAT 5/11; JDS, IDF 5/10 in FBIS 5/10; MEM 5/13].

U.S. calls on Iraq to reconsider its 5/9 rejection of proposal to allow UN troops to protect Kurds in northern Iraq, allowing early withdrawal of American and allied troops from the area [WP, NYT, LAT 5/11].

UN announces the formal withdrawal of all allied military forces from southern Iraq and the establishment of a demilitarized zone inside the 6-mile buffer space separating Iraq and Kuwait [WP 5/11].

In rare move, Israeli Army cancels order to demolish house of Palestinian who was dead at the time the military decided to punish him [NYT 5/11].

U.S. soldiers, backed by helicopter gunships, push to outskirts of Dahuk, in northern Iraq, and hundreds of Iraqi soldiers withdraw as allies continue to enlarge security zone for Kurdish refugees [WP, NYT 5/6].

In Kuwait City, GCC announces it has begun "intensive negotiations" with Iranian officials on joint postwar security pact [WP 5/6]. Ministers also issue strong warning to Iraq to implement all provisions in UN ceasefire agreement [KUNA 5/5 in FBIS 5/6].

Israel's ambassador to U.S., Zalman Shoval, says his country will soon request $10 billion in loan guarantees from Washington to aid in settling Soviet Jewish immigrants to Israel; Shoval urges U.S. not to link request with concessions for peace talks [WP 5/6].

Kuwaiti gov't. elects not to allow the 170,000 Palestinians who fled the Iraqi occupation to return to Kuwait. Those in country, along with Indians, Egyptians, Pakistanis, have been, since 4/22, registering as aliens [NYT 5/6]. 

Sec. Baker arrives in Kuwait City and presses Kuwaiti gov't. for greater democracy and more respect for human rights [WP, LAT, MEM 4/23; MET 4/30].

GCC committee for finance and economic cooperation opens meetings in Riyadh; ministers set up multi-billion dollar development fund [MEM 4/22, 4/23; SPA 4/22 in FBIS 4/23].

In Baghdad, autonomy talks between Kurdish leaders and Iraqi gov't. enter 3d day [NYT 4/23]; exiled Iraqi Shiite leaders denounce Baghdad talks [LAT 4/23].

Kurdish leaders again call for more international aid, ask that refugee camps be enlarged [WP 4/23].

IDF lifts ban on journalists freely entering o.t. that was imposed 1/17 at stalt of Gulf war, according to Israeli Defense Ministry [MEM 4/22].

Report by opposition members of Knesset, including Dedi Zucker, says Shamir gov't. is enticing Jews to o.t. with large, low-cost mortgages; settlers receive 50% more aid than other Israelis, report states [MEM 4/23].

Kuwait gov't. announces that registration of all non-Kuwaiti residents has begun. Expatriates are told they risk 6 months in prison if they do not bring papers to Interior Ministry for vetting [MEM 4/23].

Under intense pressure to help Kurdish refugees fleeing Iraqi anny, Pres. Bush orders Air Force transports to begin, on 4/7, dropping food, blankets, and clothing to refugee stations along northern border. Bush says he expects Iraq to "permit this effort to be carried out without interference." Other aid is promised by Bush to Turkey and Iran (cf. 4/7) [NYT, WP, LAT 4/6].

Iraq offers 1 week of amnesty for Kurds and army deserters (cf. 4/11) [MEM 4/5; NYT, WP 4/6; MET 4/16].

Taking up issue of rebels in Iraq, UN Sec. Council votes 10-3, with 2 abstentions to condemn Saddam Hussein's oppression of Kurds and other civilians, and to ask Sec.- Gen. to investigate their plight. Cuba, Zimbabwe, and Yemen vote against resolution, while China and India abstain [NYT, WP, LAT 4/6].

GCC nations, laying groundwork for aid program for Egypt and Syria that will tie the countries economically, allocates $5 billion as initial installment; GCC officials say as much as $15 billion could be spent [WP 4/6].

IDF shoots dead Nablus youth during stone throwing clash; 3 Gazans are wounded in separate clash [LAT 4/6; MEM, FJ 4/8].

In Cairo, Arab League meeting opens with introductory speeches; all 21 nation-members attend; pro-Western nations, particularly Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, dismiss Iraq's justifications for occupying Kuwait and hint that they no longer regard PLO as sole representative of Palestinians [NYT, WP 3/31; MENA 3/20 in FBIS 4/1; CSM 4/1].

Palestinians in o.t. hold general strike to mark Land Day, but within Israel, Land Day strike is canceled for 1st time in years, underscoring political differences among Israel's 800,000 Arabs [NYT, WP 3/31; FJ 4/8; MET 4/9].

At news conference in Kuwait, GCC Sec.- Gen. announces member states have decided to cut financial aid to Jordan and PLO because of their Gulf war stands (cf. 4/1) [ADS 3/30 in FBIS 4/1; MET 4/9].

Palestinian military court in Sanaa sentences Hani Muhammad al-Hasan to death for the assassination of Abu Iyad on 16 January [MENA 3/30 in FBIS 4/2]. 

In Damascus, F.M.s of GCC nations, Egypt and Syria reach agreement on new postwar defense arrangements in Gulf built around Egyptian and Syrian forces [MEM 3/5; WP, WT, MEM 3/6; NYT, LAT, WT 3/7; DDS 3/5 in FBIS 3/6; DDS 3/6 in FBIS 3/7; MET 3/19].

Republican Guard tank and infantry brigades loyal to Saddam Hussein attack rebel positions in Basra; opposition leaders say at least 6 Iraqi cities are still controlled by rebels; thousands of refugees flee the violence; Bush admin. says it has no intention of getting involved in the rebellion [LAT, WP, WT 3/6; IRNA, AFP 3/5 in FBIS 3/5].

U.S. and Kuwaiti experts say it may take almost 2 years to extinguish about 550 Kuwaiti oil wells that have been set ablaze, and at least 5 years before the country's oil export facilities are fully restored [LAT, NYT, WP 3/6; CSM 3/7].

Iraq hands over what it calls its last POWs, releasing 35 allies, including 15 Americans, to the Red Cross; up to 26 journalists are still missing in southern Iraq [MEM 3/5; NYT, LAT, WP, WT, CSM 3/6; BADS 3/5 in FBIS 3/5; MET 3/19].

Pentagon updates U.S. casualty toll in Gulf war to 115 dead and 330 wounded. Tens of thousands of Iraqis are believed to have been killed [LAT 3/6].

Pentagon also says that tens of thousands of U.S. troops will have to stay in Gulf region for several months [NYT 3/6].

France begins withdrawing its forces from region; pullout expected to take until September [MEM 3/5].

In letter from F.M. Aziz to Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar, Iraq renounces its annexation of Kuwait and promises to return hundreds of millions of dollars worth of looted property [LAT, NYT 3/6; INA 3/5 in FBIS 3/6; MET 3/19].

Food, water, and electricity remain scarce in Kuwait City, but 2,700-man allied task force is hoping to alleviate worst of problems within days [LAT, WT 3/6].

Kuwaiti gov't places Kuwait City under 10 P.M. to 4 A.M. curfew [AFP, KUNA 3/5 in FBIS 3/6; MET 3/19].

House Appropriations Committee votes to give Israel $650 million to cover costs associated with Gulf war, and approves $42.6-billion down payment of Operation Desert Storm [NYT, LAT, WP, WT, MEM 3/6].

Doctors in Kuwait City say that in the last 5 days they have treated scores of Palestinians who had been severely beaten and in some cases shot. U.S. military reports that 7 Kuwaiti soldiers manning checkpoints have been shot to death by people in passing vehicles [NYT 3/6].

Amnesty International warns of the risk of reprisal killings against Palestinians and other Arabs, urges that Red Cross be given access to all detainees in Kuwait [MEM 3/5; FJ 3/1].

In 1st postwar policy statement, King Fahd predicts Saddam Hussein will meet an ominous end as "all tyrants" in the Arab world have before him [NYT, MEM 3/6].

Israeli Immigration Min. Yitzhak Peretz expresses concern over small number of recent Soviet Jewish immigrants who, dissatisfied with high standard of living and limited employment opportunities, are emigrating to Canada, Australia, and Germany [WT 3/6].