The Palestine Chronology

U.S. coordinator Ross delivers message from Pres. Clinton to Syrian Pres. al-Asad at meeting in Damascus. (SANA 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

U.S. delegation meets Jordanian Crown Prince Hasan, PM al-Majali and Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini in Amman (Radio Jordan, JTV 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

U.S. coordinator Ross meets Palestinian negotiators in Jerusalem. Palestinians present 4-point statement on negotiations, Palestinian interim self-government to U.S. delegation. Delegate Ghassan al-Khatib boycotts session. (Qol Yisra'el 7/13 in FBIS 7/13, 7/14; Jordan Times 7/15-16 in FBIS 7/15)

Arafat claims 2 meetings were held between PLO and Israeli officials during Washington peace talks in June. FM Peres denies any meetings took place, saying "this information is baseless." Arafat later states PLO attempted to meet Israelis but meeting did not take place. (Ha Aretz 7/12 in FBIS 7/12; MENA 7/13 in FBIS 7/13; NYT 7/13, 7/14)

Palestinian-Jordanian joint committee holds first meeting, establishes subcommittees on Jerusalem, refugees, security and borders, economic affairs, water, and legislation and laws. (Radio Jordan 7/12 in FBIS 7/12)

IDF kills 2 19-year-old Palestinians during tire-burning incident at Balata refugee camp in Nablus. (Qol Yisra'el 7/12 in FBIS 7/13)

Israel establishes diplomatic relations with Vietnam in agreement signed in Jerusalem. (WT 7/13)

Knesset defeats no-confidence motions 57-42 (see 7/6, 7/7). (MM 7/13)

FMs of Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, and the PLO end 6 days of meetings in Damascus, agree to resume talks 4/27, a 1-week delay (see 4/17). Haydar 'Abd al-Shafis "surprised" by the PLO decision to resume. (SARR 4/21 in FBIS 4/21; JTV 4/21 in FBIS 4/22; MM 4/21; NYT, WP 4/22)

Israel announces it has "no plans" to deport Palestinians, while reserving the right to do so, allows East Jerusalemite Faisal Husseini to head Palestinian delegation. (NYT, WP 4/22)

Palestinian Peoples' Party mbr. and delegate Ghassan al-Khatib announces he and fellow PPP mbr. Samir Abdallah will boycott the next round of talks. (RMC 4/21 in FBIS 4/22; WT 4/22)

At news conf., Secy. of State Christopher calls Palestinian decision to resume talks "courageous"; through negotiations, Palestinians 'can see occupation give way to selfgovernment." (MM, NYT, WP 4/22)

Fateh issues warning against attacks on Palestinian negotiators. (Jordan Times 4/24 in FBIS 4/26)

Hamas spokesman Ibrahim Ghawshah rules out violence against Palestinian negotiators, calls resumption of talks a "cheap sellout," the PLO's "biggest historic mistake" which will have to be corrected because of popular opposition; because of its stand, Hamas is gaining popularity in o.t. (MM 4/21; Jordan Times 4/24 in FBIS 4/26)

IDF shoots 2 Palestinians dead, wounds over 50 in Gaza Strip in worst clashes since o.t. were sealed 3/31. (MM 4/21; WP 4/22; Qol Yisra'el 4/21, 4/22 in FBIS 4/22)

Arab Monetary Fund reports Arab states lost $676 billion during Gulf crisis and war. (MM 4/21)

U.S. State Dept. sends letter to Intl. Steering Comm. on Freedom of Trade with Israel stating that Saudi Arabia and Kuwait have pledged to lift their boycott of companies doing business with Israel. (MM 4/30; WT 5/5)

IDF rains over 100 shells on villages north of "security zone" as resistance fighters launch over 50 rockets into northern Israel from Lebanon. (MM 4/21, 4/22; Qol Yisra'el 4/21, 4/22 in FBIS 4/22)

In interview with al-Hayat, Chmn. Arafat urges Pres.-elect Bill Clinton to resume dialogue with the PLO. He also strongly criticizes Hamas, warning of "retaliation" if acts of violence continue in the o.t. (AFP 11/7 in FBIS 11/9; NYT 11/10)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs., as well as Palestinian delegation head Faisal Husseini, meet with Jordanian FM Kamil Abu Jaber to discuss draft Israeli-Jordanian agenda for negotiations (see 11/1). Palestinians seek definite reference in the agenda to UNGA 194 (the right of return), and clarifications on wording of references to Palestinian o.t. (Jordan Times 11/8 in FBIS 11/9; MM 11/9)

PFLP Red Eagle gunmen shoot, kill suspected collaborator in Shabura camp, Gaza Strip. (Qol Yisra'el 11/7 in FBIS 11/10)

Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood parliamentary bloc issues statement rejecting draft Israeli-Jordanian agenda as a retreat from declared peace principles, calling on govt. to not ratify it. Hamas issues similar statement. (Jordan Times 11/8 in FBIS 11/9)

King Hussein says it is time for Iraqis to end the rule of Saddam Hussein, install govt. of "pluralism, democracy." (NYT 11/8)

Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics releases latest figures showing that the Jewish birthrate has dropped to its lowest rate since 1948-2.6 children per woman. The Muslim rate is 4.7, slightly higher than last year, but much lower than the 1948 figure. Influx of immigrants kept the Jewish majority steady at 81.9%. (NYT 11/8)

PM-designate Rabin appoints Shimon Peres as for. min., but reserves the right to "lead" negotiations on Palestinian autonomy. Rafael Eytan announces he and Tsomet's MKs will not join the governing coalition. (WP 7/12)

Clashes continue between Fateh and Hamas, injuring dozens, in Gaza Strip as Hamas rejects 7/10 "agreement." Opposing rallies are held in camps. Meanwhile, Hamas reps. in Amman praise agreement. Palestinian delegation from W. Bank led by Faisal Husseini arrives in Gaza City to help mediate the conflict. (MM 7/10; ITV 7/11 in FBIS 7/13; Jordan Times 7/12 in FBIS 7/14)

Pres. Mubarak meets with Syrian FM Faruk al-Shara' in Cairo. (MENA 7/11 in FBIS 7/13)

Syrian VP 'Abd al-Halim Khaddam, PM Mahmud al-Zubi' meet separately with Lebanese PM Rashid al-Solh in Damascus, discuss S. Lebanon, bilateral relations, national accord implementation. (Syrian Arab Republic Radio 7/11 in FBIS 7/13)

PLO Central Council begins meeting in Tunis. Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi secretly address meeting. (Jordan Times 5/10 in FBIS 5/11)

Emile Habibi receives prestigious Israel Prize for Literature from Pres. Herzog, PM Shamir [see 3/17]. Tehiya party leader Yuval Ne'em'an disrupts ceremony by rising from the audience and announcing he was returning the Israel Prize awarded to him 23 years ago to protest awarding of prize to Habibi, whom he described as anti-Israeli. [Habibi had been urged by many Palestinian writers in Israel, o.t., and abroad to refuse the award. He stated that he decided to accept it, however, to pay tribute to achievements made by Palestinian population of Israel]. (MM 5/8)

Undercover unit shoots, injures Palestinian youth in Sa'ir near Hebron. Second Palestinian tries to drive youth to a hospital but is chased by the troops, who open fire on his car, killing him. (MM 5/8)