The Palestine Chronology

PA-Israeli security, civil talks continue in Jerusalem, reportedly stick on issue of reopening al-Shuhada Street, 1 of the main streets in Hebron, to Palestinian traffic. Israel says this would be a security risk. (ITV 10/24, MA, YA 10/25 in WNC 10/29)

In Amman, French Pres. Chirac signs protocol granting Jordan $15 m. for water, medical, telecommunications, meteorological projects; leaves for Beirut. (MEI, MM, NYT 10/25; WT 10/27; JP 11/2)

Despite Netanyahu's refusal to declare a national day of mourning, a memorial service for fmr. PM Rabin is held at Mt. Herzl. PM Netanyahu attends but is asked by the Rabin family not to make a statement. (MM, WJW 10/24; CSM, NYT, WT 10/25; JP 11/2; MEI 11/8)

In n. Iraq, KDP, PUK halt fighting, adhere to U.S.-brokered cease-fire. (WT 10/25) (see 10/23)

PISMC draws up a "joint paper," compiling a list of 15 points of contention (reportedly incl. hot pursuit, opening of al-Shuhada Street, type of weapons to be carried by PA police, movement of joint patrols) that have not been solve in the past 3 wks. of talks. (MM 10/23; RJ 10/23 in WNC 10/25; NYT 10/24; IDF Radio 10/24 in WNC 10/25; ITV 10/24 in WNC 10/29)

In Ramallah, French Pres. Chirac becomes 1st foreign head of state to address the PC. Chirac then leaves for Amman to meet with King Hussein. (MM 10/23; JT, JTV, LCI 10/23 in WNC 10/25; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/24; MEI 10/25; NYT, WT 10/27; JP 11/2)

Knesset Financing Comm. approves funds needed to complete 2,400 housing units in West Bank settlements whose construction was frozen by the previous Labor government. (ITV 10/23 in WNC 10/25)

Fearing a suicide bombing on the 1-yr. anniversary of the assassination of Islamic Jihad leader Fathi Shiqaqi 10/26, Israel seals the West Bank, Gaza. Israeli police shoot, wound 1 Palestinian who walks away fr. a checkpoint btwn. Ramallah, Jerusalem after refusing to show his ID. (ITV 10/23 in WNC 10/25; WP 10/24; CSM 10/25; PR 11/1)

After a wk. of talks in Turkey, U.S. Asst. Secy. of State Pelletreau announces that the KDP, PUK have agreed in principle to an immediate cease-fire, although their fighting continues in Koi Sanjak. (CSM, NYT, WT 10/24) (see 10/17)

PA-Israeli talks on Hebron continue in Taba. Progress is made on municipal issues, hot pursuit, but talks stick on Israel's demand to establish buffer zones btwn. H1, H2 areas. (MM 10/17; QY 10/17 in IL 10/17; IDF Radio 10/17 in WNC 10/19; RMC 10/17 in WNC 10/22; WT 10/18) (see 10/16)

PM Netanyahu appoints Tourism M Qatzav as M for Israeli Arab affairs, a position canceled under the Labor government. (MA 10/18 in IL 10/18; JP 10/26)

In Washington, Secy. of State Christopher tells Lebanese PM Hariri that the time is not right for the U.S. to lift its travel ban on Lebanon. (MM 10/18)

KDP threatens to ask for Iraqi military support if PUK continues to press its offensive around the city of Salahudin. Meanwhile in Washington, Asst. Secy. of State Robert Pelletreau holds talks with KDP officials. UN officials in n. Iraq say that Iran is aiding the PUK logistically, but KDP reports of 1,000s of Iranian troops fighting along PUK mbrs. is exaggerated. (WP, WT 10/18) (see 10/16)

ILMG meets in Naqura to discuss Israel's 10/12 shelling of a Lebanese village. (MM 10/14; RL 10/14, HA 10/17 in IL 10/17)

Trying to avoid a 2d clash with Iraqi forces before the 11/5 elections, the U.S. urges the KDP, PUK to honor a cease-fire, hold peace negotiations in Washington. (NYT, WP, WT 10/15) (see 10/13)

In Ramallah, PA police arrest 5 Islamic Jihad mbrs. on suspicion of planning an anti-Israeli attack tomorrow, the 1st anniversary of leader Fathi Shiqaqi's assassination. (ITV 10/13 in WNC 10/17)

7 days into his 5-nation African tour, Secy. of State Christopher receives little support for the U.S. initiative to prevent UN Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali's reelection. Only Rwanda has publicly backed the idea. (WT 10/14) (see 10/7)

Israel admits that Hizballah fire which preceded 10/12 shelling of s. Lebanese village did not come fr. nr. the area hit. (WT 10/16)

After 3 days of fighting, PUK retakes Sulaymaniyya in n. Iraq. The PUK has recouped much of the territory lost to the KDP since 8/31. (MM, NYT, WP 10/14) (see 9/9, 9/20)