The Palestine Chronology

PA negotiators Dahlan, Erakat meet with Israeli negotiators Ben-Ami, Sher to discuss gaps on final status issues. (al-Quds 8/28 in WNC 8/30)

The PA Local Government Min. begins planning West Bank-Gaza municipal elections. (PA Ministry of Information press release 8/27)

Lebanon holds the 1st of 2 rounds of parliamentary elections, covering n. districts. In a surprise showing, candidates opposed to Pres. Emile Lahoud take 33 of 63 seats. (WT 8/27; NYT 8/28; MM, NYT 8/29; al-Safir 8/29 in WNC 8/31; MM, WP 8/30; MM 8/31; MEI 9/1)

Lebanon's daily al-Nahar runs an interview with Lebanese pres. Lahoud in which he says Lebanon declined an offer of $20 b.to give Palestinian refugees in the country permanent status. (JP [Internet], Reuters [Internet] 8/15; MENA 8/15 in WNC 8/16; JT, MM, WT 8/16)

In Cairo, a delegation of senior PA negotiators (comprising Arafat deputy Mahmud Abbas, Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbuh, Local Government M Erakat, PC speaker Qurai`) discusses strategies for the PA-Israeli talks with Egyptian FM Musa, reportedly briefs him on a new U.S. proposal for Jerusalem. (MENA 8/15 in WNC 8/16; MM 8/16; MENL 8/17; HA [Internet] 8/18)

Led by MK Ariel Sharon, the Likud party calls a special session of the Knesset that votes (39-1, with 80 MKs absent) to convene a 2d special session on 8/28 to debate a resolution that would bar Barak fr. renewing the peace talks with the PA without 1st holding new elections. (MM, NYT, WT 8/16)

The PA begins construction on the Gaza port. (HJ 8/15 in WNC 8/17; JT [Internet], MA [Internet], MENL 8/16)

Gaza's Yasir Arafat International Airport opens. (MM 11/24; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/25; MEI, PR 11/27; al-Aswaq 11/30 in WNC 12/4; JP 12/7)

In Gaza, Jordan, the PA hold economic talks, sign several protocols to promote cooperation. (Petra-JNA 11/24 in WNC 11/30)

On a visit to 3 West Bank settlements, Netanyahu promises settlement expansion but cautions that "this issue must be coordinated behind closed doors with the army and not in front of the media"; says, "The dry days are over. Our policy is to grow and expand." (MM 11/24)

Mossad chief of operations resigns over the arrest of 2 agents in Cyprus. (NYT, WP 11/25; JP 11/30, 12/7) (see 11/18)

New Lebanese pres. Emile Lahoud is sworn in. (VOL 11/24 in WNC 11/30; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/25)

In London, U.S. Asst. Secy. of State Martin Indyk meets with 16 Iraqi opposition leaders; nominates new dissident leader Adnan al-Pachachi, a fmr. FM, to form a united Iraqi opposition movement. (WT 11/26) (see 10/31)

OPEC producers hold emergency mtg. in Vienna to discuss sharp drop in oil prices. (WT 11/25, 12/17)

Secy. Albright, envoy Ross, Asst. Secy. of State Martin Indyk arrive in the Middle East to prepare for talks in Washington beginning 10/15. Albright meets with Netanyahu, then travels to Gaza to meet with Arafat. (MM 10/5; HA [Internet], WT 10/6)

Turkish pres. Demirel postpones mtg. with Egyptian pres. Mubarak that was set for today. Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan phones Demirel to urge him to find a diplomatic solution to crisis with Syria. (MM 10/5; ATL, JT, RJ, RL 10/5 in WNC 10/6; IRIB Television, JTV, Petra-JNA, SATN 10/5, IRNA, Petra-JNA, Sabah 10/6 in WNC 10/7; CSM 10/6; MEI 10/16) (see 10/4)

In a mtg. with outgoing Lebanese pres. Ilyas Hrawi in Damascus, Syrian pres. Asad taps army chief Gen. Emile Lahoud as the next Lebanese pres. Lahoud is widely considered to be an incorrupt, popular "new face," untainted by politics and unlikely to draw the military into the government. (RL, SANA 10/5 in WNC 10/6; AFP, RL al-Safir, SANA 10/5, RL, VOL 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MM, WP, WT 10/7; RL 10/7 in WNC 10/8; RL, RMC 10/8 in WNC 10/9; al-Watan al-Arabi 10/9 in WNC 10/15; Petra-JNA 10/11 in WNC 10/14; MM 10/12; MEI 10/16)

In s. Lebanon, Amal detonates 2 bombs as an IDF-SLA patrol passes, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 4. (AFP, RL, VOL 10/5 in WNC 10/6)