The Palestine Chronology

U.S. administration denies Secy. of State Baker linked future U.S. decision to grant Israel loan guarantees with freeze of Israel settlement building, stating reporters erred when reporting on Baker's 9/17 meeting with PM Shamir, but denial does little to assuage Israeli leaders, who were angered by the comment. (WP 9/19)

After arriving in Damascus, Baker is warned by Syrian FM al-Sharaa that U.S. loan guarantees to Israel would affect Arabs' attitude toward peace process. Baker also delivers draft U.S. assurances on the peace conference, including pledge to Syria that U.S. considers UN resolutions calling for Israeli withdrawal from the o.t. applied to "all fronts," including the Golan Heights. (WP, MEM 9/19)

Informed sources indicate secret U.S.- PLO talks carried out in Amman by PLO Exec. Comm. Mbr. Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazin) and three officials from U.S. state department. Talks reportedly centered on Palestinian participation in peace talks. Americans reportedly tell Abbas that U.S. hopes PNC meeting in Algiers will allow Chmn. Arafat to authorize such participation and that Palestinians' only chance for representations as part of a joint Palestinian-Jordanian delegation. (MEM 9/23)

In Amman, PNC Speaker Shaykh 'Abd al-Hamid al-Sa'ih states Israel has rejected a UN request  to allow PNC delegates living in o.t. permission to travel to Algiers to attend PNC meeting. PLO had earlier requested UN assistance in arranging Israeli permission. (Radio Jordan 9/18 in FBIS 9/18)

Al-Sa'ih also announces that PNC members Edward W. Said and Ibrahim Abu-Lughod, both professors at American universities, have resigned from PNC for personal reasons. (Radio Monte Carlo 9/18 in FBIS 9/19)

U.S. Defense Secy. Richard Cheney signs 10-year U.S.-Kuwaiti defense agreement with Kuwaiti Def. Min. Shaykh 'Ali al-Sabah in Washington. (MEM 9/20)

Nayif Hawatma, leader of one of two factions now using the name DFLP, states DFLP, PFLP, Fateh have agreed on common stance concerning Palestinian participation in peace conference, including insistance on PLO's right to present a delegation comprised of Palestinians from within and outside the o.t., including delegates from E. Jerusalem. But the three groups failed to adopt a joint statement to this effect for presentation to the upcoming Palestine National Council (PNC) meeting. (Radio Monte Carlo 8/18 in FBIS 8/19)

Pres. Bush refuses to grant pardon to Jonathan Jay Pollard, convicted of spying for Israel. (JP 8/18 in FBIS 8/21)

Hizbullah leader Shaykh 'Abbas al-Musawi, other Hizbullah officials, arrive in Tehran for discussions with Iranian leaders on comprehensive Middle East prisoner-hostage exchange. (NYT 8/19)

Israeli for. ministry declares Ethiopia will allow remaining 2,600 Jews in Ethiopia to emigrate to Israel. (WP 8/17)

Iranian Oil Minister Gholam Reza Qaqzadeh-Kho'i presents Kuwaiti leader Shaykh Jabir al-Ahmad al-Sabah with letter from Iranian pres. Rafasanjani on protecting the rights of the Palestinian people. Letter follows recent diplomatic activity indicating increased PLO-Iranian ties. (Tehran Voice of the Islamic Republic of Iran 8/17 in FBIS 9/1)

In interview with Kuwaiti press, Kuwaiti For. Min. Salim al-Sabah al-Salim reaffirms Kuwait's support for Palestinian cause despite pro-Iraq stance adopted by PLO during Gulf war. (MEM 7/24)

Sec. Baker meets with Palestinians in Jerusalem, makes no comment afterward. Faisal Husseini says that meeting was most constructive of the 3 held so far. Baker flies to Jordan for meeting with King Hussein (lst since Gulf war), who endorses Baker's peace mission; then Baker flies to Cairo. Israeli officials criticize what they call "subtle pressure" on Jerusalem to offer concessions; Baker and other American officials admit that Saudi Arabia is not likely to attend peace conference with Israel [NYT, WP 4/21; JDS, IDF, AGS, MENA, ADS 4/20 in FBIS 4/22; FJ 4/22; JPI 5/4].

Battalion of U.S. Marines lands in northern Iraq to begin erecting 1st refugee camp in what is to be allied-protected zone inside Iraq [NYT, WP 4/21; CSM 4/22].

Under pressure to form more democratic gov't., Kuwait announces new cabinet with 4 of 9 members of Sabah family retaining major posts [NYT 4/21; MEM 4/22; KUNA 4/20 in FBIS 4/22].

Opposition groups say naming cabinet is insufficient, that it fails to move country toward democracy [WP 4/21; MEM 4/22].

Yasir Arafat arrives in Yemen for meetings with Pres. Salih [AES 4/20, SDS 4/21 in FBIS 4/22].

Iraq says it will abide by UN resolution calling for Iraq's withdrawal from Kuwait but only if allies meet conditions including: withdraw of allied forces, withdrawal of Israel from o.t., payment of war reparations to Iraq, and removal of Sabah family from power in Kuwait. In Baghdad, civilians celebrate what they believe is end of war; Pres. Bush rejects offer as "a cruel hoax" [BADS 2/15 in FBIS 2/15; MEM 2/15; LAT, NYT, WP 2/16].

About 30,000 Algerians hold pro-Iraq march in Algiers; demonstrators attack UN office and offices of Italy's and Egypt's airlines [LAT 2/16; MEM 2/18].

Pres. Gorbachev sends letter to Pres. Bush, Pres. Mitterrand, P.M. Major, asking allies to hold off on ground offensive until talks scheduled early next week in Moscow with F.M. Aziz are completed [NYT, WT, WP 2/16].

In unusually blunt statement, White House criticizes Israeli ambassador Zalman Shoval for making public comments about U.S. economic aid to Israel. Shoval complained on 2/14 that U.S. had not moved forward on $400 million in loan guarantees and that Israel "had not received one cent in aid" from allies to compensate for missile damage." U.S. says comments are "outrageous and outside the bounds of acceptable behavior" [NYT, WP 2/16]. Fateh troops loyal to Yasir Arafat split into 2 rival camps in S. Lebanon and fight fierce battle leaving as many as 28 dead, and 42 injured [LAT, NYT, WP 2/16; MEM 2/18].

Saddam appears on Iraqi television with uneasy-looking Western hostages, explains to them he is keeping them as "guests" in Iraq to prevent war [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 8/24].

Baghdad says it will soon free some French nationals as sign of good faith to France; Paris insists on release of all foreigners held in Iraq [WP 8/24].

Deposed Sabah family of Kuwait sets up gov't-in-exile in heavily guarded Sheraton Hotel in Al-Hada, Saudi Arabia [WP 8/24].

Bush admin. criticizes USSR for keeping military advisers in Iraq; Soviets say 193 advisers were finishing their "contractual obligations" to Iraq [WT 8/23]. 

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel lifts blackout on 10/6 shoot-out between IDF patrol and Palestinians in Gaza Strip [FJ 10/11]. District court in Jerusalem upholds 6- month administrative detention order for Faysal Husayni, director of the Arab Studies Society [FJ 10/11]. Birzeit University students protest expulsion of Zakaria al-Nahhas, a graduate of BZU [FJ 10/11]. Military officials declare Gaza coast a closed military area, prohibiting fishermen from going to sea [FJ 10/11]. Sabah Hindi, brother of girl who died while in police custody, is released from prison [FJ 10/11]. Gen. Yitzhak Mordechai warns of clampdown on activities of Islamic Jihad [FBIS 10/8].

Arab World: PLO Central Com. ends 2-day meeting in Tunis [FJ 10/11]. Nabih Birri meets with Algerian Ambassador Hadi Missa'ud, requests Algerian intervention to enforce cease-fire in camps war [FBIS 10/8].

Military Action

Arab World: Palestinian fighters battle Amal forces in Maghdushah, Jinsnaya, and Baysur near Sidon [FBIS 10/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P. M. Yitzhak Shamir expresses anger over American Jewish Congress call for international peace conference and "realistic alternative" to military occupation of W. Bank and Gaza Strip [WP 10/7]. Sabah Hindi, whose sister died under mysterious circumstances while in police custody, is arrested and charged with plotting attack against border guards implicated in her death [FJ 10/11].

Other Countries: UNRWA Commissioner Gen. Giorgio Giacomelli calls on Amal to allow relief organization torebuild destroyed refugee camps before winter [FJ 10/11]. Fawwaz Yunis pleads not guilty in U.S. court to charges related to 1985 Beirut hijacking of Jordanianirplane [WP 10/7]. Faruq al-Qaddumi, head of PLO Political Department, meets with UN Sec. Gen. Perez de Cuellar in New York [FBIS 10/9].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Gaza City, shoot-out between IDF patrol and Palestinians leaves 4 Palestinians, 1 Shin Bet officer dead; Israel alleges Palestinians belonged to Islamic Jihad; 2of the Palestinians killed escaped from Gaza Prison in May. Soldiers seize guns and ammunition found in Palestinians' possession. Police impose curfew [WP 10/8; FJ 10/11].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes conduct "mock raids" over 'Ayn al-Hilwah refugee camp near Sidon [MET 10/17].