The Palestine Chronology

Chmn. Arafat, PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Yasir 'Abd Rabbuh, advisor Nabil Shaath meet with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo. (MENA 6/24 in FBIS 6/25)

Jordan formally rejects U.S. "Aqaba Plus" plan to station UN inspectors in the Gulf of Aqaba and along the Jordanian-Iraqi border to monitor compliance with UN sanctions against Iraq. (MM 6/25; Jordan Times 6/25 in FBIS 6/25)

Asst. Secy. of State Edward Djerejian delivers first official U.S. reaction to Israeli elections, addresses other topics in testimony before House subcomm. on Europe and the Middle East. Secy. of State James Baker calls for quick resumption of peace talks once the Labor-led govt. takes power. (MM, NYT 6/25)

Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad invites PM Mahmud al-Zu'bi to form new govt. after accepting resignation of current govt. (MM 6/25)

Israeli jets overfly Sidon, nearby camps at low altitude in S. Lebanon. (VOL 6/24 in FBIS 6/24)

Egypt's Pres. Hosni Mubarak meets with U.S. Sec. of State James Baker in Egypt's embassy in Moscow to discuss Middle East events [CDS 5/16 in FBIS 5/ 17; MEM 5/17].

Palestinian leaders from O.T. present Israel with list of 17 demands aimed at creating atmosphere conducive to negotiations [YA 5/17 in FBIS 5/18].

Israeli peace activist Abbie Nathan, returning to Israel after meeting with Yasir Arafat in Tunis, is arrested for violating law prohibiting meeting PLO members. Nathan was released from jail last February after serving 6 months for previous meeting with Arafat (cf. 5/17) [MEM 5/16, 5/18].

Asharq al-Awsat, citing Palestinian sources, reports PLO has begun regrouping its military forces. Last week, 1,600- 1,800 fighters began move from Jordan to Iraq, while some units in Algeria and Sudan will move to Libya and North Yemen [MEM 5/16].

Israel Central Bureau of Statistics reports economic slowdown for 1st quarter of 1990; cites more unemployment, fewer exports, increased imports, and growing consumption as reasons UPD 5/17 in FBIS 5/17].