The Palestine Chronology

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)

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)