The Palestine Chronology

Immediately upon his return to the U.S., Pres. Clinton convenes his senior advisers to "discuss the UNSCOM report on Iraq"; they unanimously recommend a strike. Clinton orders forces in the Gulf to attack immediately; 1st sorties reach Iraq around 5 p.m., leaving 2 Iraqis (Iraq says 25) dead, 30 injured. A token force of 18 British planes takes part. House postpones indefinitely its vote on impeachment, set for tomorrow. Operation Desert Fox is expected to conclude in 3-4 days, before the beginning of Ramadan. Joint Chiefs of Staff (JCS) Chmn. Gen. Henry Shelton says decision was made in 11/98 to attack immediately if the UNSCOM report was negative. However, sources say that the White House informed the JCS 12/13 that a strike would be ordered this wk. Various congressmen say that they were briefed on the plan 3 wks. ago. Arab states are silent. France, Russia condemn the operation. Canada, Japan support it. (RJ 12/16 in WNC 12/17; ITV 12/16, AFP, ATL, JT 12/17 in WNC 12/21; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/17; MM, WP 12/18; MEI 12/25; GIU 1/5, 1/6)

PM Netanyahu says that he is prepared to call early elections unless the Knesset ratifies his hard-line policies on Wye implementation as outlined in his 12-point list of demands given to Clinton 12/15. (NYT, WP, WT 12/17; ITV 12/20 in WNC 12/22)

Israeli Finance M Neeman resigns in frustration over PM Netanyahu's political manipulation of the budget process. Netanyahu takes over the finance portfolio himself, giving himself control over budget allocations, which he could use to his political advantage if early elections are called. DM Mordechai is also reportedly threatening to leave over Wye implementation delays. (MM 12/16; MA, YA 12/16 in WNC 12/17; MM, NYT 12/17; NYT 12/19; WP 12/22; MEI 12/25; JP 12/28; Globes [Internet] 1/13 in WNC 1/14)

Peace Now reports that new housing starts in settlements more than doubled in 1998 compared to 1997. In the 1st half of 1998, construction began on 1,420 new units, up 136% fr. the same period last yr. In the 2d half of 1998, 640 units were started, up 121%. (Associated Press [Internet] 12/16)

Appearing before Senate Armed Services Committee, 2 former chrmn. of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Adm. William Crowe and Gen. David Jones, urge Bush admin. to postpone military action against Iraq and to give sanctions a year or more to work [NYT, LAT, WT, WP 11/29; CSM 11/30].

Britain and Syria restore diplomatic relations, severed 4 years ago when Britain accused Syria of sponsoring terrorism. Communique from Damascus confirms resumption of ties, renounces terrorism, but adds "Syria does not consider resistance against Israeli occupation as terrorism" [MEM 11/28; NYT, WP 11/29].

UN Sec, Council passes res. 677 condemning Iraq's attempts to change Kuwait's demographic composition [MEM 11/29].

Israeli Cabinet votes to raise personal income taxes by 5% and to raise national sales tax from 16% to 18% in order to help pay for resettlement of Soviet Jewish immigrants. Measures take effect in 1991 pending Knesset approval (cf. 12/2) [MEM 11/28; NYT 11/29; MET 12/11].

Hard-line statement by King Fahd serves warning to Iraq that "no other solution will be accepted" than unconditional withdrawal from Kuwait [NYT 11/29].

Iraqi gov't. statement lashes out at U.S. for sponsoring UN resolution authorizing use of force, says it would ignore any deadline set by UN; in separate statement Saddam Hussein accuses UN of double standard in dealing with Middle East issues, particularly dealings with Israel [NYT, LAT 11/29].

Two IDF reservists who refuse to serve in o.t. are sentenced to 2 and 4 weeks in prison; since beginning of intifada 128 reservists have refused to serve in o.t. (cf. 12/1) [JDS 11/28 in FBIS 11/29].

Al-Fajr poll of 550 Nablus residents finds 34% believe war is inevitable and that 54% believe Iraq would triumph over coalition forces in the war [FJ 11/28].

Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze arrives in New York for UN Sec. Council meeting [TASS 11/28 in FBIS 11/29].

Following new defense ministry policy, Israeli army has not been seen in Rafa district in Gaza since late May; reports say violence in Rafa has stopped and Palestinian flags fly from almost every high point [NYT 7/13].

Knesset rejects motion to investigate charges that former D.M. Yitzhak Rabin ordered soldiers to break bones of Palestinians at start of intifada. Charges stem from admission by many soldiers that they were following orders in beating Palestinians [NYT 7/12].

In Cairo on part of Middle East visit, Chrmn. of Joint Chiefs of Staff Colin Powell tells Egypt and other U.S. aid recipients that Congress is pushing to hold down arms assistance. Powell meets with Pres. Mubarak [WT 7/12]; and later he flies to Amman to meet with King Hussein [ATS 7/11 in FBIS 7/12].