The Palestine Chronology

PM Rabin announces early release of 800 Palestinian prisoners who completed over 2/3 of their sentences and whose crimes did not claim casualties. Rabin also pledges to gradually reopen some closed streets and houses sealed before the intifada, and to allow Arab workers over 50 to enter Israel without a permit, down from the age of 60. (NYT, WP 8/24)

Palestinian delegation crosses to Jordan with U.S. assurance that no members would be forced to sign documents. (Qol Yisra'el 8/23 in FBIS 8/24)

Lebanon holds first day of 3-day polling in the north and east, with most Christians boycotting. (NYT, WP 8/24)

James Baker officially takes over as White House chief of staff; Lawrence A. Eagleburger sworn in as acting secy. of state. (NYT 8/24)

Pres. Bush announces that James Baker will leave his post as secy. of state 8/23 to become chief of staff at the White House. Baker will bring his 4 closest aides with him, will continue to direct the peace process, and will leave Lawrence S. Eagleburger as acting secy. of state. (WP 8/14)

In private meeting with top AIPAC executives, PM Rabin sharply criticizes the lobby for steering Israel toward an unneeded confrontation with the U.S. over the loan guarantees. According to the New York Times, Rabin said the organization "should not pursue their own initiatives, but rather take instructions from the Israeli embassy in Washington." (WP 8/16; NYT 8/22)

IDF shells Iqlim al-Tuffah, Litani River regions, overflies Nabatiyya and Sidon, S. Lebanon. (VOL, Radio Lebanon 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)