The Palestine Chronology

PM Rabin meets with Pres. Clinton in Washington, gives Clinton proposal to be handed to Syrian Pres. al-Asad. Clinton says he will lobby to maintain level of aid to Israel; for continued cooperation with Arrow missile program; for U.S. troop presence in Golan Heights if agmt. btwn. Israel, Syria is reached. Sen. Robert Dole, expected to become Senate maj. leader, also pledges to keep econ. aid to Israel at current level. (MM 11/21; QY 11/21 in FBIS 11/22; MM, NYT, WP 11/22; MEI 12/2; MM 12/7)

Arafat, 10,000 supporters hold rally in Gaza City to show support for peace with Israel. (QY 11/21 in FBIS 11/22; MM, WP, WT 11/22; CSM 11/28; MEI 12/2)

Fateh sets up 7 "emergency committees" to patrol with Palestinian police, act against Hamas and Islamic Jihad, remove opposition graffiti and write pro-PA graffiti. Comm. mbrs. will be armed, in plain clothes, mostly fr. Fateh Hawks. (QY 11/22 in FBIS 11/22)

PLO, Hamas agree on formula to end violence, but Hamas will not sign accord until Arafat takes responsibility for 11/18 incident. (AFP, QY 11/21 in FBIS 11/22; CSM 11/22; WP 11/24).

UN envoy to the Middle East Terje Larsen says Palestinians standard of living has dropped 50% since signing of Oslo agmt., appeals to donor countries to send promised aid. (AFP 11/22 in FBIS 11/23; QY 11/23 in FBIS 11/29)

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)

Israel suspends all negotiations with PLO after Hamas announces it is holding an IDF soldier hostage. Hamas says it will kill the soldier 10/14 if 200 Palestinian prisoners--inc. Shaykh Ahmad Yasin, Shaykh Salah Shehadeh, Shaykh `Abd al-Karim Obeid, Mustafa al-Dirani--are not released. PM Rabin calls emergency cabinet mtg., suspends transfer of aid fr. donor countries, seals Gaza, says he holds Arafat responsible. Arafat condemns abduction, calls mtg. of PSF. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/12; AFP, ITV, JP, Al-Quds radio 10/11, MENA, VOP , QY 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; CSM 10/13; HA 10/14 in FBIS 10/14)

Jordanian, Palestinian officials conclude talks in Amman, announce broad agmts. on trade, customs, banking, civil aviation; agree to draw up position papers on Awqaf, refugees. (JT 10/12 in FBIS 10/12; JTV 10/12 in FBIS 10/13)

U.S. FM Christopher meets with Syrian Pres. al-Asad, says both Syria, Israel have made significant movements towards peace, says he has been pleased al-Asad has taken U.S. advice and made public gestures showing he is serious. (SARR 10/11 in FBIS 10/11; WP 10/12)

FM Christopher leaves Syria for Amman, meets with King Hussein, Crown Prince Hassan to discuss U.S.-Jordanian relations, peace talks, Iraqi maneuvers. (JTV 10/11 in FBIS 10/12, MM 10/12)

PM Rabin confirms that rifles used in Hamas attack 10/10 were AK47's belonging to the Palestinian police. (NYT 10/12)

The Nobel committee decides to award the Nobel Peace Prize to PLO chmn. Arafat, Israeli PM Rabin. (MM 10/11; NYT, WT 10/12; CSM, WJW 10/13; MM 10/14)

U.S. Commerce Sec. Ron Brown holds mtg. with mbrs. of Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC) delegation of Palestinian businessmen on 5-day visit to seek American funding for projects in West Bank, Gaza. (WT 10/12; JP 10/15)

Iraqi retreat is detected by U.S. intelligence. Pres. Clinton says it is too early to reach conclusions on Saddam Hussein's action, U.S. will continue reinforcement of the Gulf, may press for enlarging demilitarized zone along Kuwaiti border. (NYT, WP, WT 10/12)

IDF, SLA continue shelling southern Lebanon, "deport" 26 Kufr Hunah villagers fr. self-declared security zone. Lebanese FM Buwayz asks UN to act. (RL 10/11 in FBIS 10/12; MM 10/12)

Secy of State Christopher proceeds to Syria fr. Israel after mtg. PM Rabin, FM Peres, saying of recent fighting in southern Lebanon that "comprehensive peace is the answer."  Mtg. Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad for 5 hrs., Christopher bears "decisive request" fr. Israeli FM Peres to Syrian and Lebanese leaderships urging restraint of Hizballah.  (SARR 8/7 in FBIS 8/8; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 8/8)

U.S. officials announce in Jerusalem that conference on Middle East economic development will be held in Casablanca, Morocco, 10/30-11/1.  (NYT 8/8)

Direct Jordan-Israel telephone links inaugurated with call fr. Israeli Pres. Ezer Weizman to Jordan's King Hussein.  (Qol Yisra'el 8/7 in FBIS 8/8; CSM 8/9; WT 8/10)

Secy of State Christopher meets Jordan's King Hussein in Amman, Hussein telling press conference he will not sign a peace treaty at 7/25 summit with Israeli PM Rabin.  Hussein expresses "fervent hope" for "comprehensive peace," but says Jordan will "move ahead" with negotiations irrespective of Syrian track.  Monarch asserts that "the holy sites in Jerusalem belong to the Muslim world as a whole."  (MM 7/20; NYT, WP, WT 7/21)

Israeli FM Peres, Jordanian PM and FM Majali, and U.S. Secy of State Christopher meet in Shunah, Jordan, pledge to seek peace.  Peres and Majali indicate state of war may be ended at 7/25 summit in Washington.  (JTV 7/20 in FBIS 7/21; MM 7/20; CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/21)

Palestinian-Israeli talks in Cairo on "early empowerment" of Palestinians conclude, Palestinian negotiator Shaath saying some progress made but Israel not willing to transfer real power in education, health, social, administrative, and financial affairs.  (MENA 7/20 in FBIS 7/21)

PNA Economy M Ahmad Qurai` denied entry to Jerusalem by Israeli authorities.  Qurai` was scheduled to address economic conference, which he speaks to by telephone.  Israel objects to any PNA activities in Jerusalem.  (TJT 7/22; JP 7/30)

IAF rockets Hizballah positions in Iqlim al-Tuffah and eastern Biqa` Valley, Lebanon.  Israel blames Hizballah for 7/18 bombing of building housing Jewish organizations in Buenos Aires, Argentina; Hizballah denies involvement.  (RL 7/20 in FBIS 7/21; NYT, WT 7/21)

IDF soldier shot and killed in Rafah, Gaza Strip, in attack claimed by Hamas as "swift and direct" revenge for 7/17 killing of 2 Palestinians in riot at Erez crossing.  (MM 7/19; NYT, WP 7/20)

Israel-Jordan talks reach agreement to start negotiations for peace treaty on a "continuous basis" next month.  (CSM, MM, NYT, WSJ, WT 7/20)

Palestinian-Israeli talks continue in Cairo on transfer of civilian powers to PNA.  (MENA 7/19 in FBIS 7/19)

Secy of State Christopher holds talks with Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad in Damascus, says Israel-Syria dispute defies resolution, U.S. carrying no new proposals on Golan Heights.  Christopher describes Asad as "very serious" about peace process.  (CSM, NYT, WSJ, WT 7/20)

Commuter plane in Panama explodes, killing 21, including 12 Jews, of whom 4 are Israeli.  Local Jewish leaders speculate bombing connected to 7/18 bombing of Jewish organizations in Argentina.  (NYT, WP, WT 7/21)

Palestinian workers waiting to enter Israel riot at Erez checkpoint, Gaza Strip.  Palestinian police, IDF exchange fire in 1st such incident since 5/4 Gaza-Jericho agreement.  2 Palestinians killed, 98 wounded, including 5 police officers; 17 Israelis also wounded, including 1 Border Guard in critical condition.  Gas station, 120 Israeli buses destroyed.  Each side blames other for incident; PLO Chmn. Arafat calls for deployment in Gaza of international observers.  Secy of State Christopher, en route to region, calls riot a "tragedy."   Clashes occur in Ramallah, Hebron as news of riot spreads.  (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 7/18)

Secy of State Christopher starts tour of Middle East to prepare for 7/25 White House summit of Jordan's King Hussein, Israel's PM Rabin.  Trip will include mtgs. in Syria.  (NYT 7/18)

PLO-Israel autonomy talks resume, PLO negotiator Nabil Shaath saying PLO Chmn. Arafat to come to Jericho in mid-7/94, Israelis saying they are ready to discuss expanding Palestinian self-rule in West Bank.  (MM 6/28; CSM, NYT, WSJ 6/29)

"Fateh official" in Tunis says 1st elections in self-rule areas to be held 10/94.  (WT 6/29)

PM Rabin quoted as recommending increase in defense budget if no agreement reached with Syria in 3 yrs.  (WT 6/29)

2 PFLP guerrillas killed by SLA 2 mi. fr. Israeli border.  3d guerrilla captured, says mission was to take hostages in northern Israel.  In separate incident, Lebanese soldier killed nr. Nabatiya by howitzer shell fired fr. "security zone."  (WP 6/24)

Hamas mbr. kidnapped day before found dead in Bayt Lahiya, Gaza Strip, presumably killed by family mbrs. of collaborators he had killed.  (MM 6/23; TJT 7/1; JP 7/2)

PLO Chmn. Arafat sets new conditions for his move to Jericho.  (WSJ 6/24)

18 dunams confiscated fr. Waljah village, nr. Bayt Jala, for construction of 18,000 housing units for Israelis.  (TJT 7/1)

Israeli FM Peres, on Israeli radio, says new proposals to Syria include "security, peace, and withdrawal."  Peres says contacts must take place "away fr. the eye of the media."  PM Rabin, on IDF radio, says Israel ready for "painful compromises" with Syria, criticizes rightists who claim Arabs lack military option by referring to 1973 war.  (CSM 6/24)

U.S. Pres. Clinton offers to sponsor Washington summit mtg. btwn. Israeli PM Rabin, Jordan's King Hussein.  (WSJ 6/24)

Frmr. Saudi diplomat Mohammed al-Khilewi, who defected to U.S. 6/14, claims to have documents proving Saudi support for Hamas, Saudi surveillance of U.S. Jewish groups, including JDL.  (WSJ 6/24)[defected 6/1--WT 6/2][filed for asylum 5/31--WT 6/4]

Secy. of State Christopher meets Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad for 3 hours but details of talks not made public. (WP, WT 5/16)

60 settlers escorted by IDF visit Shalom Al Yisrael synagogue in Jericho, refusing to show Palestinian police i.d.s or obey their orders. (WT 5/16)

32-yr.-old Gaza City resident killed by a stray bullet as gunmen attack IDF post next to his home. (NYT 5/16)

Israeli PM Rabin's office announces U.S. agreement to sell Tel Aviv 21 advanced F151 fighter aircraft. (CSM 5/16)

Central Gaza Prison closed down, 500 of its inmates transferred to other prisons and 200 released. IDF dismantles Gaza army bases but does not withdraw. (CSM, NYT, WT 5/6)

PLO Chmn. Arafat visits Amman to brief King Hussein on Gaza-Jericho agreement after Cairo mtg. with top aides to discuss appointment of 24 mbrs. of Palestinian National Authority. (MM 5/5; WP, WT 5/6)

Japanese FM Koji Kakizawa visits Jericho, pledges $200 m. to Palestinian National Authority. Settlers attempt for 2d day to occupy Shalom Al Yisrael synagogue in Jericho. (CSM, WT 5/6)

Norwegian Middle East mediator Terje Rod Larsen says Palestinian police force has received $20 m. in international donations, less than 1/2 of estimated $47 m. budget for 1st 6 months. Larsen says U.S. has pledged additional $5 m. PLO negotiator Nabil Shaath says there will be overlap btwn. IDF presence and police. (NYT, WP 5/6)

PFLP, DFLP announce attacks on Israel will continue but that forces will avoid clashes with Palestinian police, according to statement by PFLP SG Dr. George Habash. Syrian media, including party paper al-Ba'th, join Palestinian factions in condemning Gaza-Jericho agreement. (MM 5/5; CSM, WP 5/6)

Al-Hayat reports Russia has agreed to write off 90% of Syria's $10 b. debt to Moscow. Syria will purchase $500 m. in Russian weapons in deal reached during Russian Dep. PM Oleg Soskovets's visit to Damascus previous week. (MM 5/5; WT 5/11)

IDF begins evacuation of HQ in Jericho, Gaza Strip as withdrawal starts. Troops in Gaza redeploy to guard Gush Qatif bloc of settlements. 2 Palestinians wounded by IDF while stoning departing troops. (CSM, WT 4/5)

Bank of Jordan opens 1st West Bank branch, in Ramallah. (MM 4/5)

Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad flies to Cairo, meets twice with Pres. Husni Mubarak. (MM 4/5)

Israeli police ballistics expert testifies to Israeli commission of inquiry, says police have identified all but 1 of 115 shell casings recovered at Haram al-Ibrahimi in Hebron. 109 shells traced to attacker Baruch Goldstein's weapon, 5 to those of IDF guards. (NYT, WT 4/5)

Pres. Clinton accepts State Dept. recommendation to retain Syria on U.S. list of nations involved in drug trade, citing Damascus's tolerance of opium growing in Lebanon's Biqa' valley. Syrian F Min. spokesman says decision part of U.S. pressure for Syrian concessions to Israel in peace talks. Lower-ranking NSC, State Dept. officials had reportedly recommended waiver for Damascus's participation in peace talks. (WP 3/31; NYT 4/1; CSM 4/4)

Israeli cabinet orders some settlers disarmed, 1,000 Palestinian prisoners released in response to Hebron massacre, establishes commission of inquiry to investigate massacre. Govt. orders administrative detention of 5 Kach mbrs., but apprehends only 1 as well as 2 low-level activists. PLO Chmn. Arafat calls Israeli moves "hollow and superficial," reiterates demand for international protection of Palestinians ino.t. Settlers' council "rejects out of hand the proposals ... to confiscatehe weapons of Jews." (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/28)

Rioting against Hebron massacre continues in o.t., Israel, spreading to Negev. 3 Palestinians killed in demonstrations, including 1 Israeli Arab, bringing casualty totals to 65 dead, 360 wounded since 2/25. (WP, WT 2/28; CSM, NYT 3/1)

PLO Chmn. Arafat charges that "some elements of the Israeli army" assisted Baruch Goldstein in Hebron massacre. IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Dani Yatom counters that soldiers fired into air, all 111 cartridge cases recovered at crime scene fired fr. Goldstein's rifle. (NYT, WP, WT 2/28)

Funeral of Hebron attacker Baruch Gold.. stein draws 300 mourners for procession fr. Jerusalem to Qiryat Arba. Mourners denounce journalists covering event as "Nazis"; Rabbi Yaacov Perrin, giving eulogy, proclaims "1 m. Arabs are not worth a Jewish fingernail." (NYT, WP, WT 2/28)

Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria withdraw negotiators fr. Washington talks with Israel in solidarity with PLO. (RMC 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; NYT, WP, WT 2/28)

UN Sec. Gen. Butrus Butrus-Ghali suggests sending international monitors to protect Palestinians in o.t. U.S. mission to UN calls offer not "particularly helpful or useful." Statement notes DoP provides for "temporary" international presence, but says UN should not "prejudge" Israel-PLO discussions. Russia supports Butrus-Ghali's position. (NYT 2/28)

Bomb made of 2 82mm mortar shells explodes in Sayyidal-Naja Maronite Church in Zuq Mika'il, nr. Juniya, Lebanon, killing 9 and wounding 60. PM Hariri calls bombing "a plot ordered fr. abroad." Info M Michel Samaha, Damascus Radio, and Maronite Bishop Bishara Rai blame Israel. (RL 2/27 in FBIS 2/28; SARR 2/27 in FBIS 3/1; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/28)

Talks in Washington btwn. Israel, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and Palestinians resume in undisclosed locations, 1st since 9/93. Israeli official says Israeli-Syrian session, btwn. delegation heads Itamar Rabinovich and Muwafaq al-Allaf, held in "good and positive atmosphere." (CSM, WT 1/24; NYT, WP 1/25)

PLO-Israel negotiations in Taba, Egypt resume with mtg. of Civilian Affairs Comm. Security Affairs Comm. postpones session pending next Arafat-Peres mtg. (MENA 1/24 in FBIS 1/24, 1/25)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets in Riyadh with Saudi King Fahd, DM Prince Sultan, and Gov. of Riyadh Prince Salman. Aide to Arafat characterizes mtg., 1st since Gulf war, as "friendly and warm." Saudis pledge assistance to Palestinian "institutions and infrastructure" according to PLO official Ahmad Qurai'. (CSM, WP, WT 1/25)

King Hussein of Jordan holds 1st public mtg. with 30 American Jewish leaders in Washington, expresses desire for "warm peace" with Israel. (NYT, WP, WT 1/25)

Reuter reports Israeli businessmen have invested $5 m. in experimental farm at al-Jadida, Morocco, and are supplying irrigation equipment to farms in Hawz area nr. Marrakesh. (MM 1/24)

PLO-Israel talks resume in Taba, Egypt. Israeli delegation led by IDF Maj. Gen. Amnon Shahak, PLO by Nabil Shaath. Shaath estimates 3 weeks required for sides to reach Gaza-Jericho withdrawal agreement (MENA 1/10 in FBIS 1/10; NYT, WT 1/10; CSM, WP 1/11)

"Kahane Chai" mbrs. assault U.S. journalist Robert Friedman, visiting West Bank settlement of Tapuah. Group holds Friedman responsible for "witch hunt" against late Rabbi Meir Kahane, murdered in New York in 1990. (WP 1/11; WT 1/12)

3 U.S. congressional staffers tour villages nr. Sultan Ya'qub, Lebanon, in search for evidence of IDF soldiers missing since 1986. (RL, VOL 1/10 in FBIS 1/10; WT 1/11)

U.S.-Israel Joint Political-Military Group begins 20th session of talks on U.S.-Israel strategic cooperation with mtg. of military affairs. subcomm. Plenum, chaired by Israeli DMin. DG David Ivry and U.S. Asst. Secy. of State Robert Galluci, to meet 1/12. (MM 1/10)

"Damascus Declaration" countries (GCC states, Egypt, Syria) issue statement on upcoming Clinton-al-Asad summit "affirming their strong backing for Pres. Asad." (MM 1/10)