The Palestine Chronology

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin hold 90-minute summit  mtg. at Erez crossing, Gaza Strip.  Israel agrees to open safe passages btwn. Gaza and Jericho, permit 6,000 more Palestinian workers into Israel.  Both sides agree to pursue negotiations on expanding West Bank self-rule.  Israel puts off discussion of Jerusalem, criticizes PLO Political Dept. head Faruq Qaddumi's remarks on attacks on Israelis.  (Qol Yisra'el 8/10 in FBIS 8/11; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/11)

World Bank announces establishment of field office in Gaza.  (World Bank release 8/10)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan meets 98-mbr. United Jewish Appeal delegation in Amman, says Jordan and Israel should coordinate economic policies before 10/94 Casablanca economic conference.  (MM 8/11)

Argentine Pres. Carlos Menem threatens to expel Iranian amb. over Tehran's alleged role in 7/18 bombing of Buenos Aires Jewish center.  Embassy had protested issuing of warrants for arrest of 4 Iranian diplomats in case.  (NYT, WT 8/11)

Senate approves foreign-aid bill 88-12, sending $13.8 b. measure to Pres. Clinton for signature.  Legislation, passed by House 8/4, includes $99 m. "down payment" on Jordanian debt relief, $3 b. in economic and military aid to Israel.  (WP 8/11)

Jericho Mayor Jamil Khalaf resigns, saying PNA had deprived him of authority.  Khalaf, appointed by occupation, reportedly was under investigation for corruption and was unhappy with local police cmndr.'s authority.  (WP 8/10)

Hamas spokesman Mahmud Zahhar affirms Hamas "would not reject Jordan's rule of Jerusalem, so long as it remains in Arab hands."  (Al-Hayat 8/9 in FBIS 8/11)

Jordanian and Israeli negotiators mtg. in Sodom, Israel, agree to send survey teams to demarcate border based on 1928 League of Nations map showing Palestine-Transjordan border.  (WT 8/10)

PM Rabin schedules talks for next day with PLO Chmn. Arafat, 1st since Arafat took up residence in Gaza.  (WT 8/10)

"Senior admin. source" with Secy of State Christopher says Syria still seeks peace agreement with Israel this year.  (NYT 8/10)

Argentine judge orders arrest of 4 Iranian diplomats in 7/18 bombing of Jewish center in Buenos Aires.  (CSM, WP, WT 8/10)

PLO Chmn. Arafat chairs PNA mtg. to discuss 3-point, 100-day master plan, 7/17 Erez crossing riot.  (Jericho VOP 7/23 in FBIS 7/25)

"Partisans of God" claims 7/18, 7/19 Argentina, Panama bombings in statement published in Beirut newspaper.  Group says attacks "will continue wherever Zionism is found until it is crushed and justice rules the world."  Argentine police say same method used in 7/18 bombing, 3/92 bombing of Israeli embassy in Buenos Aires.  (WP 7/24)

IDF announces 7/22 abduction of Hizballah leader Qasim Rihan fr. southern Lebanon.  IDF claims Rihan responsible for attacks on IDF.  (WP, WT 7/24)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops curfew Balata refugee camp, conduct house-to-house searches, arrest dozens of Palestinians [JP 11/24; FJ 11/29]. Army stops group of 50 would-be settlers who attempt to squat in Jericho [JP 11/24].

Arab World: Israeli forces patrolling in S. Lebanon security zone kill 2 armed Palestinian gunmen; 2 Israelis are wounded [JP 11/24]. President Mubarak states Egypt is urging PLO to reconsider position on UN resolutions 242 and 338 to ease way for intl. M. E. peace conference; comments follow 3 hours of talks with U.S. Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy [JP 11/24].

Military Action

Arab World: Syria begins placing longer-range SAM-2 anti-aircraft missiles along Syrian border with Lebanon, withdrawing shorter-range SAM-6 and SAM-8 missiles from Lebanese territory [JP 12/18; MEP 12/20; NYT 12/26]. Egyptian airliner carrying nearly 100 passengers is hijacked over the Mediterranean by Arabs identifying themselves as "Egypt's Revolution." After landing in Malta, several bodies are thrown out of the plane [WP, BG, TS 11/24].

Other Countries: Israel and Argentina pledge to increase volume of bilateral trade at conclusion of visit to Argentina by Trade Min. Ariel Sharon [JP 11/24].