The Palestine Chronology

PLO official Nabil Shaath says Israel-PLO talks in Cairo getting to detailed level, reports progress and exchange of drafts on security arrangements. (WP 1/27)

King Hussein meets Secy. of State Christopher in Washington, D.C. At news conference marking end of U.S. visit Jordanian ruler calls for "interfaith dialogue" on Jerusalem's holy places, reiterates that East Jerusalem should be restored to Arab rule. Hussein also says he hopes to meet Israeli PM Rabin "before too long." (NYT, WP, WT 1/27)

Qatari FM Shaykh Hamad bin Jassim alThani, visiting U.S., says Arab states have "been discussing" boycott of Israel and "are ready to take some action" on phasing it out. Al-Thani also confirms Israel and Qatar discussing supply of Qatari natural gas to Israel. (MM, NYT 1/27)

Resident of Jabaliya camp, Gaza, killed, presumably for collaboration with occupation. (Qol Yisra'el 1/27 in FBIS 1/28)

Company for Developing Old Jaffa announces agreement with Vatican on setting up Vatican embassy in Franciscan church in Jaffa, 1st embassy in Israel in historically Arab city. (MM 1/26)

Military Action:

Lebanese left militias clash with Lebanese Army (IDF head Eitan demands Murabitun be evacuated from West Beirut); Syrian forces scheduled to leave West Beirut today; 1,230 evacuated by road to Damascus as 500 PLO members arrive at Tartus by boat (an estimated 8,500 PLO members have been evacuated); PLO evacuees warmly welcomed in South Yemen.

Casualties:

People freely leaving West Beirut; IDF soldier dies of wounds from bus hit by land mine.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Temritories: Cabinet approves IS Sb. in budget cuts for use by Defense Ministry in paying for Lebanese invasion; Nahum Goldmann dies at 87; Begin takes vacation in Nahariya; government spokes-persons, following Cabinet meeting, say any attempt to alter Camp David will provoke Israel to apply Israeli law to West Bank, Gaza; students from Gaza and Jerusalem who seek to study at West Bank universities now required to obtain permission from West Bank military administration; UNRWA decides to reduce its supply to Gaza refugees starting September 1 because of financial crisis and diversion of supplies to Lebanon (protests follow in Gaza, West Bank); former Israeli Chief of Staff Mordechai Gur says Beirut battle is "black spot" in Israeli history and that the invasion is "unjust"; Bethlehem Mayor Freij says PLO remains sole legitimate representative of the Palestinian people, blames US for Israeli military intervention in Lebanon in NBC interview; Dr. Mordechai Avitzur (coordinator of international relief organizations working in southern Lebanon out of Israel) killed in car crash; draft treaty with Lebanon already circulating within Defense, Foreign ministries.

Palestinians/Lebanese: Abu lyad claims PLO knew of planned Israeli invasion since February, that several Arab countries also knew in advance; PLO denies Arafat has left Beirut (Arafat decides to evacuate to Greece initially); Lebanese Shiite leaders pass resolution opposing peace treaty with Israel.

Arab Govemnments: Arab foreign ministers continue to meet; Omani Sultan congratulates Gemayel on election; King Hussein stresses Jordan is not Palestine.

US and Other Countries: Greece prepares warm welcome for German hospital ship "Flora" carrying PLO wounded; anti-Israeli demonstration takes place in Washington, DC.