The Palestine Chronology

Egyptian pres. Mubarak phones Syrian pres. Asad to brief him on his meeting with Pres. Clinton in Washington on 3/28. (MENA 3/31 in WNC 4/5)

Iraq gives Palestinians who have lived in Baghdad since 1948 (totalling some 30,000 individuals) the right to own property, but stresses that rights cannot be passed on. (JT [Internet] 3/31)

After 3 days of debate, both houses of Congress vote to give Pres. Bush authority to go to war against Iraq. Senate approves use of military force by 52-47 vote; House vote is 250-183 [NYT, LAT, WP 1/13; WT 1/14].

UN Sec.-Gen Perez de Cuellar arrives in Baghdad to discuss Gulf crisis, says he is not carrying "any specific proposals" [INA 1/12 in FBIS 1/14; NYT, LAT, WP 1/13].

Meeting with Sec. Baker in Damascus, Pres. Asad calls on Saddam Hussein to leave Kuwait immediately, so Arab world can close ranks and confront Israel. Asad also says if Iraq withdraws and is later attacked, Syria will fight alongside the Iraqis; statement is repeated by Syrian F.M. [DDS 1/12 in FBIS 1/14; NYT, WP 1/13; MEM 1/14]; Sec. Baker meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo [MENA 1/12 in FBIS 1/14].

Diplomats in Ankara say that despite giving no political signs of opening 2d anti-Iraq front, Turkish troop strength has steadily increased to at least 120,000 soldiers near the Turkish-Iraqi border [NYT 1/13].

Yasir Arafat arrives in Baghdad for talks with Iraqi officials, including Tariq Aziz [AFP 1/12 in FBIS 1/14].

Peace Now rally calling for peace between Israel and Palestinians is attended by "many thousands" including many MKs [JDS 1/12 in FBIS 1/14].

Anti-war protests occur in Washington and Bonn [WP 1/13].

State Dep't. orders expulsions of all but 4 Iraqi diplomats from embassy in Washington, saying action is taken to "reduce Iraq's ability to orchestrate terrorism" if war begins [WP 1/13].

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Navon returns from US visit; Shamir says Reagan plan is only set of ideas and US policy will change in time; 1,000-2,000 Peace Now members occupy for a day unfinished West Bank settlement of Efrat, south of Bethlehem, blocking main road, putting up signs demanding halt to settlement, money to slums, no annexation, simultaneously stage successful diversionary demonstration in Elkana settlement near Nablus.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Lebanese leaders meet all day with US envoys Habib and Draper; President Gemayel sends special envoy Jean Obeid to Syria, where President Assad tells him Syria will not allow Israel to reap political or military gains from its invasion.

Arab Governments: King Hussein, Prime Minister Nudar Badran, and Chief of Staff Zaid Ben Shaker go to Baghdad for talks with Saddam Hussein.

US and Other Countries: US Marine Corps Commander General Robert Barrow says he's anxious to get 1,200 Marines out of Lebanon to avoid any incident such as a shootout which might discourage enlistment into the force, and Marine spokesman says there is a professional concern for the Marines' safety; Pentagon official says there are plans to send another battalion of Marines to Lebanon; Defense Security Agency Director Lt. Gen. Philip C. Gast in Beirut to assess ability of Lebanese military to absorb equipment already in the country or on its way.