The Palestine Chronology

U.S. envoy Ross holds mtg. in Gaza with Gaza PSF head Muhammad Dahlan; also meets with families of Palestinian prisoners, Palestinian businessmen. (HA [Internet] 9/18)

In a drive-by shooting nr. Beitunia in the West Bank, Jewish settler open fire on 12 Palestinian teenagers walking home fr. school, killing 1, injuring 2. 1 settler, Avshalomm Ladani, turns himself in to Israeli security. PA denounces Netanyahu for failing to condemn the attack. (HA [Internet], LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/18; WP 9/21; MM, WJW 9/24; MEI 10/2)

PM Netanyahu affirms plans to build 600 new homes in Yitzhar settlement, where 2 setters were killed 8/5. (MM 9/17; QY, YA 9/17 in WNC 9/18; MM, WT 9/18; PR 9/25; MEI 10/16) (see 8/26)

Israeli police evict 25 mbrs. of the Beitar youth movement, connected with PM Netanyahu's Likud party, fr. an encampment they set up at Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghunaym in East Jerusalem to demand faster settlement construction at the site. (MM 9/17; MEI 10/16)

As part of U.S. efforts to organize the Iraqi opposition, the State Dept. announces that it has brokered a settlement btwn. 2 rival Iraqi Kurdish groups, the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The agmt. provides for elections next yr. to reestablish a regional assembly in n. Iraq, which could lead to creation of a Kurdish federation. (al-Rayah 9/17 in WNC 9/18; MM, NYT, WP 9/18; MM 9/21; ATL 9/23 in WNC 9/24; MED Television 9/23 in WNC 9/28; MM 9/25; MED Television 9/25 in WNC 9/29; ATL 9/30 in WNC 10/1; MM 10/1, 10/12; MEI 10/16)

In Paris, Israeli FM Levy discusses peace process with Pres. Chirac, FM Hervé de Charette. (France-Inter Radio Network [Paris], ITV 9/10 in WNC 9/12; MM 9/11)

In New York, Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with mbrs. of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, visits Lubavitcher Hasidic spiritual leader Rebbe Menachem Schneerson's grave. (ITV 9/10 in WNC 9/12; MM 9/11; MA 9/11 in WNC 9/13; WJW 9/12, 9/19)

In implementation of cabinet decision 8/2, IDF Central Commander Maj. Gen Uzi Dayan signs order setting procedures for authorization of settlement construction, expansion in the West Bank, Gaza. The order requires local planning comms. to obtain permission of DM Yitzhak Mordechai at every stage of most construction projects. Settlers term procedures needlessly cumbersome. (HA 9/11 in IL 9/11)

Israel's Prime Minster's Office announces new "Israel 2000" program intended to make development towns and regions economically self-sufficient. Program will be implemented in 19 communities. Residents will be given housing subsidies, loans, stipends; municipal boundaries of these locations will be expanded. (HA 9/11 in IL 9/11)

In Hebron, Jewish settlers break into 4 Palestinians stores, confiscate their goods, occupy them. The IDF sealed the stores in the city center after the al-Ibrahimi mosque massacre in 2/94. (PR 9/20)

South Africa says it will not renew existing defense, economic contracts with Israel; though relations remain good, South Africa is adjusting to a peacetime domestic economy. (IDF Radio 9/10 in WNC 9/12)

Jordanian officials release al-Ahali editor Usama al-Rantisi after he is charged with "publishing material deemed as instigating public disorder" during the 8/16-17 riots. The 4 al-Bilad journalists detained 8/20, 1 fr. al-Majd, another fr. al-Aswaq are still in custody awaiting trial. ASB Secy. Gen. Tayseer Homsi is arrested for alleged involvement in the riots. (MM 9/11; JT 9/11 in WNC 9/12)

Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood (JMB) denounces self-described "West Bank JMB official" Sa'id Bilal for requesting that the PA license, and thereby legalize, JMB activities in the self-rule areas; says Bilal is not a JMB mbr. Hamas concurs, claims attempts to form a JMB branch in the territories is an attempt by the PA to divide the Islamist opposition. (al-Ra'i 9/10 in WNC 9/12; VIRI 9/16 in WNC 9/18)

U.S. publicly redefines its strategic interest in Iraq for the 1st time in 5 yrs., saying it is interested solely in containing Saddam Hussein's military operations nr. the Kuwaiti, Saudi oil fields, rather than curbing his influence in n. Iraq and assuring humanitarian aid to the Kurds. (NYT, WP 9/11) (see 9/9)

Iraqi delegation arrives in Ankara for 2 days of talks with PM Erbakan, FM Ciller regarding bilateral relations, establishment of "security zone" in n. Iraq. Iraq proposes instead that Turkey conclude a border security arrangement with the KDP to prevent PKK mbrs. fr. crossing into Turkey. (MM 9/10; INA [Baghdad], TDN 9/11 in WNC 9/13; Milliyet [Istanbul] 9/12 in WNC 9/17 MEI 9/20) (see 9/6)

In Jericho, PISMC meets for the 1st time since Netanyahu's election. (MM 9/9; QY 9/9 in IL 9/9; IDF Radio 9/9 in WNC 9/12; CSM 9/10; WJW 9/12)

In Washington, Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with Pres. Clinton, Secy. of State Christopher, Defense Secy. William Perry; rejects U.S. calls for redeployment in Hebron. U.S. urges Israeli to ease up on the Palestinians, issue more workers' visas. (MM 9/9; HA, MA 9/9 in IL 9/9; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/10; WJW 9/12; MEI 9/20) (see 9/8)

KDP forces allied with Saddam Hussein take control of Sulaymaniyya in n. Iraq, capture key hydroelectric dam, force 1,000s of Kurds to flee toward the Iranian border. U.S. makes clear it has no intention of aiding the 200 INC mbrs. stranded in the Kurdish enclave; says it gave them ample warning of the attack on Irbil, time to evacuate. (MM 9/9; CSM, MM, WP, WT 9/10; MEI 9/20) (see 9/8)

As right-wing Jews stunned by Netanyahu-Arafat mtg. protest outside the PM's office, Netanyahu faces hecklers in the Knesset who also oppose the mtg.; tells MKs meeting Arafat "wasn't easy" but he will fire fr. his cabinet any M who can't accept it; also announces he has directed the Finance Ministry to permit the sale, occupation of 3,000 housing units in West Bank settlements kept vacant by the Labor government since 1992. (MM 9/5; ITV 9/5 in WNC 9/9, WNC 9/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/6; JT 9/8 in WNC 9/10; YA 9/8 in WNC 9/12; WJW 9/12; JP 9/14)

Jordanian government announces it will try 145 persons in connections with 8/96 bread riots. (NYT 9/6)

Turkey sends planes to bomb the Turkish separatist Kurdish Worker Party (PKK) in n. Iraq; announces plans to create a 10-km. wide "security zone" in the Kurdish enclave, similar to Israel's self-declared security zone in s. Lebanon. In Irbil, KDP forces attack PUK outposts to secure their hold in the city. In s. Iraq, U.S. begins to patrol expanded no-fly zone. France, which helps patrol the original no-fly zone, refuses to send planes above the 32d parallel (see 9/3). (MM 9/5; TDN 9/5 in WNC 9/6; al-Ra'i 9/5 in WNC 9/9; NYT, WP, WT 9/6; al-Dustur, VIRI 9/7 in WNC 9/10) (see 8/17, 9/4)

PA, Israeli officials meet to try to schedule resumption of negotiations; mtg. btwn. Arafat, Netanyahu. (IDF Radio, ITV 9/1 in WNC 9/4; NYT, WP, WT 9/2; JP 9/7)

30,000-40,000 Iraqi troops seize Irbil, the largest town in the Kurdish zone. Heavy fighting is reported. PM Tariq Aziz says troops will pullout immediately after securing KDP head Massoud Barzani's control of the city, ousting PUK puts forces in the region on high alert. (NYT, WP, WT 9/1; MM, WP, WT 9/2; MEI 9/6) (see 8/30)

In response to a letter fr. Arafat asking him to "save the peace process," Israeli Pres. Ezer Weizman invites Arafat to meet him in Israel, says he would postpone mtg. if PM Netanyahu agreed to meet Arafat himself within 10 days. PM Netanyahu reluctantly endorses Weizman-Arafat mtg., says he will meet with Arafat soon. (CSM, NYT, WP 8/26; WT 8/28; WJW 8/29; MM, PR 8/30; JP 8/31; MM 9/2; MEI 9/6; JP 9/7)

In Amman, Japanese FM Ikeda signs memorandum of understanding with Jordan under which Japan will grant Jordan $7 m. to finance building new King Hussein bridge, travelers terminal once the sovereignty/legal status of West Bank has been determined. Japan has given Jordan $340 m. in aid, loans in the past yr. (RJ 8/25 in WNC 8/29; JT 9/14 in WNC 9/19)

Israel moves first 11 of 298 mobile homes into 2 West Bank settlements. (WP 8/26; PR 8/30)

2d round of Lebanese voting is held in n. Lebanon. Observers report sharp drop in electoral abuses after opposition charged widespread fraud in 1st round 8/18. Hizballah does not run a slate; all 4 al-Jama` al-Islamiyya candidates are defeated. Most of the 28 elected are progovernment, although the 1 Syrian Ba'th party candidate loses. (CSM 8/26; MM 8/28; RL 8/28 in WNC 8/30; MEI 9/6)

As Kurdish fighting in n. Iraq enters its 9th day, Baghdad comes out in support of KDP, accuses Iran of manipulating the PUK to destabilize the north. (MM 8/27) (see 8/22)

In 2d day of bread riots in Jordan, demonstrations spread fr. Karak to Amman, Ma'an, Tafila, where 1,000s of protesters clash violently with police, burn buildings. King Hussein visits Karak, blames Iraq for instigating the protests. Iraq denies the accusation. (JTV, RJ 8/17, MBC 8/18 in WNC 8/21; RMC 8/17, 8/18 in WNC 8/22; NYT, WP, WT 8/18; JT 8/18 in WNC 8/22; CSM, MM 8/19; MEI 9/6)

In Hebron, IDF arrests 19 mbrs. of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) for having knowledge of armed attacks in Israel. (PR 8/23)

In Alexandria, Pres. Mubarak, Kuwaiti heir apparent Shaykh Sa`d Abdullah al-Sabah discuss peace process, implementing decisions taken at Arab Summit 6/22-23. (RE 8/19 in WNC 8/22)

Syrian PM Mahmud al-Zu'bi arrives in Tehran with delegation for 3-days of talks on political, economic, cultural, technical relations with Iranian officials. Syrian, Iranian Trade Ms discuss expanding economic ties. (VIRI 8/17, IRIB Television [Tehran] 8/18 in WNC 8/21; IRNA 8/18 in WNC 8/22; Tehran Times 8/18 in WNC 8/29; MM 8/19; CSM 8/23)

Israel fortifies IDF, SLA positions in s. Lebanon. (RL 8/17 in WNC 8/21)

Worst fighting since 1995 erupts btwn. rival Kurdish factions, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), in n. Iraq. At issue are border trade with Turkey (currently worth $250,000/day in tariffs) and informal taxes, which are expected to increase dramatically when the 5/20 UN oil-for-food deal goes into effect in 9/96; control of the provincial administrative center of Irbil, considered the capital of Kurdish Iraq. The PUK accuses the KDP of collaborating with the Saddam Hussein government, initiating clashes. KDP accuses Iran of backing the PUK, starting the fighting. (MM 8/19, 8/20, 8/27)