The Palestine Chronology

Russian FM Primakov arrives in Amman for 3-day visit, meets with Jordanian FM Tarawnah, then leaves for unscheduled visit to Syria. (ITAR-TASS [Moscow], SANA 10/27, MBC, RMC 10/28 in WNC 10/29; WT 10/28; MM 10/29; RL 10/29 in WNC 10/30; MEI 11/7; JP 11/8)

PM Netanyahu gives address to opening of the Knesset's winter session, which is interrupted frequently by hecklers; calls for peace with Arabs based on firm security, self-defense; vows to prevent creation of Palestinian state or return of Golan and to build more settlements. Labor Chmn. Barak gives speech, urging Netanyahu's resignation. (ITV 10/27 in WNC 10/29; MM, NYT, WT 10/28; WJW 10/30)

Yemen announces plans to send low-level delegation to Doha economic summit; says it delegation will attend only to visit "a sisterly country . . . , not to hold talks with the Israeli government." (JTV 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

Israel warns Holland that it may expel diplomat Ferdinand Schmidt if he does not stop criticizing Israel in the media. (IDF Radio 10/28 in WNC 10/29)

In Beirut, 2 bombs, one at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and one at a newly completed bus station, explode, causing no injuries. The bombing at AUB, which occured just hrs. after a reception for AUB's new pres., marks the 1st attack on a foreign institution in Lebanon in 4 yrs. (NYT 10/28; MBC, RL, RMC, VOL 10/28 in WNC 10/29; MM 10/29; RL  10/29 in WNC 10/30; al-Quds al-`Arabi 10/29, RL 10/30 in WNC 11/3; WP 10/30)

Russian FM Primakov arrives in Israel for 2-day visit, meets with PM Netanyahu, FM Levy. (IDF Radio, ITAR-TASS [Moscow], QY 10/26, Interfax [Moscow], ITV 10/27, YA 10/28 in WNC 10/29)

PA's Arafat, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Yemen's Pres. Ali `Abdallah Salih hold talks on peace process in Cairo. (MENA 10/26, RE 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

YESHA settlers council decides to build a new settlment west of Gush Etzion settlement nr. Bethlehem if Isarael accepts any sort of settlement freeze at the upcoming Washington talks; says general plan for the new settlement was approved in the 1970s by PM Golda Meir, but  exact location would be kept secret until the government's stand on settlements is clarified. (MM 10/27; JP 11/8)

PA Preventive Security Force arrests journalist and human rights worker Khalid al-Amayreh following the publication in an Israeli Arab newspaper of his report on the torture of Hamas activists arrested by the PA over the past few mos. (Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group press release 10/27)

Israel commutes to 24 yrs. the life sentence Alan Goodman, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen found guilty of killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 9 at al-Aqsa Mosque on 4/11/82; releases him after he agrees to spend the remaining 8 yrs. of his sentence in the U.S. (WT 10/27; WP 10/30)

IDF shells strike medical center affliated with PFLP-GC in s. Lebanon, killing a nurse. (MM 10/27; RL 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

In Jerusalem, U.S. special envoy Ross hosts mtg. btwn. Israeli FM Levy, Arafat adviser Abbas; encourages them to speed up subcomm. negotiations. Levy says Israel is willing to limit settlement construction to a "necessary minimum." Ross aslo meets separately with Netanyahu, Arafat. (MM 10/20; IDF Radio 10/20 in WNC 10/22; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 10/21; MEI 10/24)

Israel, Jordan agree in principle to set up a joint authority to oversee Jordan Valley development (incl. tourism, water, agriculture, industrial park projects); Israeli proposal for a Las Vegas-style tourism, commercial center in the Aqaba-Elat area. (Globes [Internet] 10/20 in WNC 10/22)

Jordan announces it will send high-level delegation to Doha economic summit. At mtg., Jordan plans to submit projects for transforming Aqaba region into free trade and tourist zone; improving water and waste-water infrastructure; enlarging petroleum refinery at al-Zarqa'; creating small industries, magnesium plant in Dead Sea area; building railway, port; developing tourist sites. (RJ 10/20 in WNC 10/22; see also JT 10/19 in WNC 10/22; RJ 10/24, JT 10/26, al-Ra'i 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

In Beirut, 2 gunmen open fire on 2 of Abu Nidal relatives, killing Omar Banna, wounding Nasireddin Banna. Lebanese officials claim the shooting stemmed fr. intra-Palestinian disputes. (WP 10/21; WT 10/22; MM 10/29)

U.S. special envoy Ross returns to the Middle East; meets separately with Netanyahu, Arafat; listens to complaints fr. both sides to try to forge compromise package/new framework for further negotiations. (WT 10/19; MM, NYT, WT 10/20)

Shaykh Yasin announces that Hamas has temporarily halted attacks on Israel; cooling-off period will last if Israel halts punitive measures against Palestinians, such as economic sanctions, closures, house  demolitions, land seizures. (WP, WT 10/20)

Israel agrees to extradite Sheinbein, must now fight appeal by Sheinbein's lawyers. (WT 10/18; NYT, WP 10/20; WJW 10/23; MEI 10/24) (see 9/29)

Japan creates $60 m. fund to support Jordan's socioeconomic development, discusses possibility of rescheduling Jordan's $72 m. debt to Tokyo. (JT 10/20 in WNC 10/22)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates roadside bomb as SLA vehicle passes, killing 2 SLA mbrs. (IDF Radio, RL 10/19 in WNC 10/22)

Israel releases $57 m. of tax money owed the PA. (MM, WT 10/15; MA 10/15 in WNC 10/16) (see 9/28)

Israel, Jordan hold 2 mtgs. in Israel (Jerusalem, Ma'ale Efrayim) aimed at enhancing security cooperation, especially to prevent border infiltrations. (ITV, QY 10/14 in WNC 10/15; al-Ra'i 10/16 in WNC 10/20) (see 10/10)

PA prisoner dies in PA custody, reportedly as a result of a heart attack. (Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group press release 11/11)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in al-Arub refugee camp nr. Bethlehem; also plans to demolish homes of relatives of 3 suicide bombers identified 9/23, seal home of 4th bomber. (LAW 10/14; NYT, WT 10/15)

SLA Cmdr. Antoine Lahd warns that his men are likely to turn against Israel if the IDF unilaterally withdraws fr. s. Lebanon; thinks half would joint Hizballah, half would form new anti-Israeli militia. (MM 10/14; ITV 10/14 in WNC 10/15; MM 10/17)

Israel air force attacks Hizballah radio station in s. Lebanon, causing extensive damage. (RL 10/14 in WNC 10/15)

Palestine Observer Mission at the UN announces plans to introduce a resolution in the UN General Assemby (UNGA) by early 11/97 that would deny Israel's right to represent East Jerusalem, Golan Heights, meaning credentials for Israeli reps. would have to be issued fr. Tel Aviv, symbolically cutting Israel's territory back to pre-1967 lines. The mission will also try to have its observer status upgraded to "special observer," so that reps. can participate in plenary session, on comms. and working groups. (WT 10/14, 10/17; NYT 10/24)

Jordan, Syria end 2 days of mtgs. on  water; sign minutes of mtg., agreeing to go ahead with construction of al-Wahda dam on the Yarmuk River in Syrian territory. (RJ 10/13, JT 10/14 in WNC 10/15)

After Canada receives an official apology fr. Israel for using forged Canadian passports in Mishal attack 9/25, Canadaian amb. returns to  Tel Aviv. (Radio Canada International 10/13 in WNC 10/15) (see 10/2)

Israel releases 2d batch 9 Jordanian detainees, flies them to Amman. (JTV 10/13 in WNC 10/15; CSM, WT 10/14; NYT 10/15) (see 10/6)

4,000 Palestinians attend rally in Nalbus to celebrate Shaykh Yasin's return to Gaza. (WT 10/14) (see 10/6)

Turkey begins pulling troops out of n. Iraq after its latest incursion against the PKK, which began on 9/21. (WT 10/14)

In Amman, Jordan's FM Tarawnah, Israel's Amb. to Jordan Eran discuss peace process. Israel pledges not to violate 10/94 peace treaty, particularly articles pertaining to security. (RJ 10/12 in WNC 10/15; al-Quds, al-Ra'i 10/15 in WNC 10/16)

Israel opens official inquiry into botched assassination of Hamas's Mishal. (NYT, WP 10/13; JP 10/18; ITV 11/2, 11/3 in WNC 11/4)

Jordan, Iraq discuss expanding bilateral trade under UN oil-for-food deal. (RJ 10/12 in WNC 10/15)

In the 1st legal judgement against Israel's nuclear reactor, a Tel Aviv court finds Dimona managers guilty of negligence by allowing least 3 radioactive leaks since the 1960s. (YA 10/12, QY 10/13 in WNC 10/15; WT 10/13)

Before dawn at Erez checkpoint, Arafat, Netanyahu meet for the 1st time since 2/9, leave without speaking to reporters. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; IDF Radio 10/8 in WNC 10/9; CSM 10/9; PR 10/10)

King Hussein reveals that 2 days before the 9/25 attempt on Mishal's life, he sent Netanyahu a letter informing him that Hamas might be ready to establish a dialogue, halt suicide attacks. Israeli officals claim that the letter reached the PM a day after the attack. Hamas denies letter was sent. Despite the statement, King Hussein phones PM Netanyahu to says that he wants to rebuild the relationship btwn. Jordan, Israel. (MM 10/8; ITV, YA 10/8, SA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM, WT 10/9; PR 10/10)

2 IDF soldiers, 1 SLA mbr. are killed, 6 IDF soldiers are wounded in clash with Hizballah in s. Lebanon. (IDF Radio, RL, VOL 10/8 in WNC 10/9; MM, NYT, WP 10/9; JP 10/18; MEI 10/24)

U.S. special envoy Ross holds separate mtgs. with Israeli FM Levy, Arafat adviser Abbas in preparation for Israeli-PA subcomm. talks 10/7. (NYT, WP 10/6; al-Quds 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MEI 10/10)

Hamas's Shaykh Yasin returns to Gaza, is greeted by 30,000 Palestinians at Yarmuk stadium. (MM 10/6, RJ  10/6 in WNC 10/7; NYT, WP, WT 10/7; MEI, PR 10/10; JP 10/18) (see 10/2)

Israel frees 11 Palestinian prisoners, 9 Jordanian detainees, says 50 others will be released over the next 2 wks. In exhange, Jordan allows the 8 Mossad agents (2 who carried out the attack, plus 6 who helped) involved in the assasination attempt against Mishal to return to Israel. (NYT, WP, WT 10/7; JT, JTV, MENA, RMC 10/7 in WNC 10/8; SA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/10)

After mtg. with Netanyahu, Labor Chmn. Barak says that the PM admitted approving Mishal's assassination. Though the government does not admit to the attack, the cabinet issues statement defending Israel's right to "fight terror without compromise." Newly released details suggest attackers sprayed a nerve toxin on Mishal; King Hussein threatened to break relations with Israel unless he received antidote, which Israel quickly supplied. Although King Hussein condemns the assassination attempt, he accepts the credential of the new Israeli Amb. to Jordan Oded Eran. (al-Ra'i 10/5 in WNC 10/7; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/6; YA 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MM 10/7; WT 10/10, NYT 10/17)

An explosive device detonates in a s. Lebanon field, killing a civilian woman, child. Hizballah blames Israel. (RL, VOL 10/5 in WNC 10/7)

Arafat flies to Amman to meet with Hamas's Shaykh Yasin. (RJ 10/2 in WNC 10/3, 10/6; CSM, NYT 10/3; JP 10/11) (see 9/30)

Canada recalls its amb. to Israel to protest Mossad's use of forged Canadian passports in the attempted assasination of Mishal 9/25. It is the 3d time Mossad hit squads have used Canadian passports. (MM, CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/3; WT 10/4; SANA 10/6, YA 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MM 10/8) (see 9/30)

After a weekend of high-level negotiations with Jordan, Israel frees Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin (jailed since 5/89), sends him to Amman. Timing lends creedence to reports that Israeli Mossad agents posing as Canadian tourists attempted to assassinate Hamas's Mishal 9/25. Canada says the attackers, still in custody, have refused consular services. (Radio Canada International 9/30 in WNC 10/1; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/1; RJ 10/1 in WNC 10/2; SATN 10/1, al-Quds al-`Arabi 10/2 in WNC 10/3; ITV 10/1 in WNC 10/6; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/2; PR 10/3; MM 10/6; MEI 10/10; JP 10/11)

Israeli pres. Ezer Weizman pardons 2 Israelis, commutes the sentences of 4 other, all of whom are serving terms for killing Arabs. (ITV 10/1 in WNC 10/3; NYT, WT 10/2; PR 10/10; JP 10/11)

Saying that it seems "our . . . allies don't get it," Secy. of State Albright strongly criticizes France for supporting the $2 b. gas deal with Iran, not following U.S. policy of isolating Iran for supporting "terrorism." (NYT 10/1) (see 9/28)

In Tehran, Iran, Jordan open 2-day follow-up mtg. to the 9/28-29 mtgs., sign several agmts., establish Jordanian-Iranian Economic Cooperation Council. (JT 10/1 in WNC 10/2; al-Dustur 10/1 in WNC 10/7)

In talks in New York mediated by Secy. of State Albright mediating, Israel, PA agree to resume joint subcomm. talks 10/6; to meet in Washington 10/13. Albright also meets with Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara`. (MM 9/29; MM, NYT, WP 9/30; ITV 9/30 in WNC 10/2; IDF Radio 9/30 in WNC 10/1)

Israel says it will not agree to a U.S. request to extradite American teenager Samuel Sheinbein, wanted for murder in Maryland; will try the case in Israeli court. Sheinbein's father, who was born in Madate Palestine in 1944 and left Israel in 1950, holds dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, meaning--Israel says--that his son is automatically an Israeli citizen and by law cannot be extradited. (WP, WT 9/30; NYT, WP, WT 10/1; WJW 10/2; IGPO 10/9 in WNC 10/10; JP 10/18)

Iranian warplanes hit Mujahidin al-Khalq camps inside Iraq, injuring 2 Iraqi civilians. Mujahidin al-Khalq is an exiled Iranian group adovcating the armed overthrow of Iran's Islamic government. (WP, WT 9/30; MEI 10/10)

In s. Lebanon, an IDF intelligence officer is killed in clash with Hizballah. (MM 9/30)

In the early morning hrs., Israel stages a naval commando raid on Insariyya, deep inside Lebanon, most likely targetting Amal headquarters there. Amal mbrs., Hizballah mbrs., Lebanese army soldiers intercept the commandos, killing 11, wounding 4, leaving 1 missing and presumed dead; 2 Lebanese civilians are killed and 6 civilians, 6 militia mbrs., 1 Lebanese soldier are wounded in the fray. Fighting lasts several hrs. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/5; IDF Radio, VOL 9/5 in WNC 9/8; MM 9/8; IDF Radio, ITV, RL 9/5, VOL 9/6 in WNC 9/9; WP, WT 9/6; WT 9/7; CSM, NYT 9/8; al-Safir 9/8 in WNC 9/10; MEI 9/12; JP 9/13; NYT 9/19; WT 9/21; CSM 10/1; WT 10/15)

Israeli cabinet holds tense mtg. on 9/4 bombing, 9/5 commando raid; issues statement, vowing to act against Islamists' infrastructure, freezing any further redeployments (FRDs). (MM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 9/5; RE 9/10 in WNC 9/11; PR 9/12)

U.S. Secy. of State Albright calls on the PA to take unilateral action "to create a political climate where there is no tolerance for terror." (WT 9/9)

Iran, Syria sign protocol for construction of Damascus metro. (al-Ba'th 9/5 in WNC 9/10)