The Palestine Chronology

19-year-old alleged Hamas mbr. killed in abortive car-bomb attack in Gaza Strip. (NYT, WT 9/27)

PLO Chmn. Arafat concludes 2-day visit to Turkey, appealing for Ankara's continued support of Palestinians. (MM 9/27)

Jordanian King Hussein affirms that Palestinians holding Jordanian citizenship will lose political rights in Jordan if they vote in elections for Palestinian autonomous authority in o.t., but will retain civil rights as Jordanian citizens if they remain in the country. Jordanian Info. Min. Ma'an Abu Nuwar adds that Jordan will not accept Palestinian refugees who might be expelled fr. Syria and Lebanon, saying "our land and our economy cannot take it anymore." (NYT 9/27; CSM 9/28)

Official Syrian media, responding to call by Israeli FM Peres for Arabs to lift boycott of Israel, urge Arab states to maintain, tighten boycott. Damascus Radio says Peres's statements mean "Israel wants everything in return for nothing," while govt. newspaper Tishrin carries same message. (WT 9/27)

Gaza funeral of Muhammad Abu Sha'ban attracts over 2,000 mourners; message fr. PLO Chmn. Arafat calls on Palestinians "to reject violence and terrorism." (NYT, WT 9/23)

Egyptian Pres. Mubarak and Syrian Pres. al-Asad hold 3 hours of talks in Alexandria, agree Israel must pursue negotiations with Syria. Al-Asad foresees no early breakthrough in talks, while Mubarak insists "the Golan should be returned back to Syria" to secure peace. (MM 9/22; NYT 9/23)

Syrian VP Khaddam meets Sa'id Musa Muragha ("Abu Musa"), leader of Fateh-the Uprising, 1 of 10 Palestinian factions opposed to DoP. (RMC 9/22 in FBIS 9/24)

Association of Israeli-Palestinian Physicians for Human Rights petitions Israeli High Court of Justice to close Ketziot ("Ansar III") prison camp because of "inferior conditions of imprisonment" of Palestinians detained there. (MM 9/23)

Jordanian Min. of State Jawad al-Anani says Palestinians living in Jordan will not be allowed to vote in both Jordanian and o.t. elections, saying King Hussein and PLO Chmn. Arafat agreed to avoid "duplication." (MM 9/23)

PLO Chmn. Arafat leaves for tour of China, Malaysia, and Indonesia after brief stopover in Cairo following talks with King Hussein in Amman. (MENA 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

Fateh leader Muhammad Abu Sha'ban killed in Gaza. The treasurer of the Gaza Bar Association, head of Gaza Center for Human Rights, and former head of Fateh-affiliated Political Comms. is shot by unknown gunmen on his way home fr. a rally in support of PLO-Israel agreement. (NYT 9/22)

Knesset debates ratification of Israel-PLO accord. PM Rabin calls agreement "hope for an end to tears," says "we will no longer live by our swords alone." Rabin calls pact with PLO "the victory of Zionism, which has also won the recognition of its most sworn and bitter enemies." Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu, opposing accord, says "this agreement abandons security of Israeli citizens," argues "We want to give peace a chance, but first we want to give life a chance." (NYT, WP 9/22)

Rally in Jerusalem against PLO-Israel accord called by opposition parties, settler and religious groups, draws 20,000, mostly yeshiva students, according to Israel Radio. (NYT 9/22; WP 9/23)

Pope John Paul II meets Israeli Ashkenazi Chief Rabbi Yisrael Meir Lau at Castel Gandolfo, Italy, 1st meeting ever be tween a Catholic pontiff and either of Israel's chief rabbis. Vatican stresses that meeting is purely religious, but speculation is rife that it represents progress toward Vatican diplomatic recognition of Israel. Rabbi Shlomo Goren, former Ashkenazi chief rabbi, denounces meeting as "blasphemy beyond expression," a "mockery," and "meaningless." (NYT 9/22)

Arab League FMs endorse DoP, declare the agreement "an important step toward realizing the land-for-peace principle," but that it "must be completed by immediate steps ... to guarantee Israeli withdrawal fr. the entire Syrian Golan." Iraqi FM Muhammad Sa'id Sahhaf refuses to support declaration. (MM, WP 9/21)

Secy. of State Christopher announces U.S. will convene international conference to raise funds to implement PLO-Israel accord. Christopher also announces U.S. will provide $250 m cver 2 years to Palestinian autonomous authority, urges international community to support PLO-Israel accord to produce "tangible improvements in the security and daily lives of Palestinians and Israelis." (MM 9/20; NYT 9/21; CSM 9/22)

PLO Chmn. Arafat flies to Amman to discuss implementation of Israel-PLO agreement with Jordan's King Hussein. Speaking to reporters, Arafat defends accord as "the maximum we could get," predicts "at the end of this year or the beginning of next year, God willing, I expect to go to Jericho-and Gaza." (NYT, WP, WT 9/21)

Israeli delegation arrives in Tunis to prepare for conference on Palestinian refugees, met by Tunisian, PLO officials. (WT 9/21)

Nayif Hawatmah of DFLP, George Habash of PFLP meet in Tripoli with Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi. Libya and Iraq are only Arab states to explicitly oppose PLO-Israel agreement. (NYT 9/16, 9/17)

U.S. Pres. Clinton, in telephone conversation with Jordan's King Hussein, discloses U.S. will release $30 m. in aid to Amman frozen due to Jordan's position in 1990-91 Gulf crisis. Release is due to signing of Jordan-Israel common agenda. Clinton also calls Syrian Pres. al-Asad, urges him to rein in Damascus-based Palestinian factions opposed to PLO-Israel agreement. (NYT 9/16; CSM, NYT 9/17; NYT 9/18)

U.S. joins with Russia, Egypt, and Israel to eliminate, revise, or defer 32 UNGA resolutions critical of Israel. Resolutions to be changed or discarded include those establishing Comm. on Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, criticizing Israeli human rights practices, examining Israeli-South African relations, and calling on Israel to renounce nuclear weapons. (NYT 9/16)

PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. 'Abd Allah Hurani resigns in protest of DoP, Israel-PLO recognition, calls for emergency PNC meeting. (MENA 9/11 in FBIS 9/13)

IDF shoots 2 Palestinians dead, wounds 8 in Ramallah during PFLP/Hamas-led march against Israel-PLO agreement. Other Palestinians wounded in clashes during demonstrations in Gaza, Jerusalem. 20,000 participate in 4 demonstrations in support of accord. (NYT, WP 9/12)

World Bank releases 6-volume report, prepared at request of Israeli and Palestinian negotiators, saying West Bank and Gaza Strip require at least $3 b. in aid over next decade. (NYT 9/12)

White House announces Israeli PM Rabin, PLO Chmn. Arafat will attend 9/13 signing of DoP. (NYT 9/12)

Pres. Clinton speaks by telephone with Saudi King Fahd, Syrian Pres. al-Asad, Jordanian King Hussein, and Israeli PM Rabin in effort to secure support for agreement. Clinton pledges Israel "additional guarantees" for its security, in part to keep Israeli public opinion supportive of peace process. (NYT, WP 9/12)

Damascus-based Palestinian opposition factions call for general strike in o.t., Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria 9/13 to protest Israel-PLO accord. Demonstrations against accords held in al-Wahdat, al-Baq'a refugee camps in Jordan. Jordan Times 9/11 in FBIS 9/13; NYT 9/12)

Oslo talks btwn. PLO, Israel on mutual recognition adjourn. (NYT, WP 9/2)

Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz arrives in Damascus for talks with Pres. al-Asad, FM al-Shara' concerning DoP. (MM 9/1)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa holds talks with Israeli officials in Jerusalem on text of Israel-PLO mutual recognition, forwards draft to PLO in Tunis. (MM 9/2)

PLO Chmn. Arafat flies to Rabat for consultations with Moroccan King Hassan on follow-up to Israel-PLO agreement. (MM 9/2; NYT 9/3)

PFLP head Habash tells French TV Arafat no longer represents Palestinians, vows PFLP will fight DoP "with all its might" because it ignores rights of diaspora Palestinians. DFLP chief Hawatmah, on RMC, calls DoP "sad, tragic," says it will allow Israel to "liquidate the intifada." (MM 9/2)

Pro-DoP rally at al-Najah University attended by 4,000, addressed by Arafat by telephone. Faisal Husseini meets in Jerusalem with opposition figures, who maintain anti-DoP position, while 15 injured in Gaza Strip when Hamas mbrs. stone pro-DoP rally. (MM 9/2)

Palestinian o.t. figures issue statement denouncing DoP, Arafat's leadership. (al-Ra'y 9/1 in FBIS 9/2)

King Hussein tells Ghassan Tueni of al-Nahar that "We in Jordan do not accept the imposition on us of any agreement to which we are not a party" in remarks excerpted on JTV. Hussein demands Arab summit to discuss consequences of PLO-Israel accord. (MM 9/2; NYT, WP 9/3)

Israeli Police Min. Moshe Shahal says Palestinian police to be set up under Oslo agreement "will not have authority to halt Israelis." (MM 9/2)

Yediot Aharanot prints English text of Israeli-Palestinian Declaration of Principles (DoP), 1st publication of agreement. (MM, WP, WT 9/1)

Opening of 11th round bilateral Arab-Israeli peace talks in Washington eclipsed by news of Israel-PLO agreement. Eliakim Rubenstein, head of Israeli delegation, remains in Israel while rest of delegation goes to U.S. Rubenstein is rumored to be considering resigning out of opposition to dealing with PLO. (MM 9/1)

Secy. of State Christopher says U.S. will "strongly support" DoP, hints U.S. position on PLO will change due to Israel-PLO accord. (MM, WP 9/1)

PLO Chmn. Arafat concludes meetings in Alexandria with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, leaves for Khartoum to explain agreement to Sudanese govt. (MENA 8/31 in FBIS 9/1)

Commercial strike in o.t. called by opposition factions only partially observed. (Qol Yisra'el 8/31 in FBIS 8/31)

Poll shows 76.4% of Gazans support Israel-PLO agreement. (ITV 8/31 in FBIS 9/1)

16-year-old Azzam Abu Irmanah shot dead by IDF in Nusayrat refugee camp, Gaza; 3 others wounded in separate incidents. (MM 8/31)

PLO officials in Amman report that PIA brigade in Jordan is being retrained to serve as police in o.t. (MM 8/31)

Jordan's King Hussein flies to Damascus for emergency talks with Syrian Pres. alAsad concerning PLO-Israel agreement. Syrian spokesman Jubran Kourieh calls accord "a surprise to the 2 countries and over which there has been no coordination btwn. the Arab parties." (MM 8/31, 9/1; NYT 9/1)

Hamas spokesman in Amman Muhammad Nazzal says Islamist group will continue to fight for complete Israeli withdrawal, but says organization may take part in elections in enclaves vacated under "Gaza-Jericho lst" plan. (MM 8/31)

PLO reportedly firing locally hired employees at PLO diplomatic missions, asking redundant Palestinian representatives to resign. (AFP 8/24 in FBIS 8/24)

Jordan's King Hussein, in interview, criticizes PLO for not coordinating with Amman on "Gaza-Jericho lst" proposal. PLO Chmn. Arafat meets Hussein, Jordanian PM al-Majali to work out differences. Joint Jordanian-Palestinian Comm. for Econ. Affairs holds 1st meeting in Amman. (MM 8/24, 8/25; Radio Jordan 8/24 in FBIS 8/25)

Faisal Husseini denies advocating Palestinian national salvation govt. in 8/22 Hebron speech. (al-Quds 8/25 in FBIS 8/25)

Israeli FM Peres, in Copenhagen, denies Yediot Aharonot report that he met with PLO official in Stockholm previous week, saying "I met only Swedes." (MM 8/24)

Israeli PM Rabin rejects GAO criticism of Arrow program, denies Israel transferred U.S. technology to 3d parties. (Qol Yisra'el 8/24 in FBIS 8/24; WT 8/25)

Alleged collaborator murdered in Qabatiya, West Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 8/25 in FBIS 8/25)

Israeli FM Peres begins 8-day tour of Sweden, Norway, Iceland, and Finland, focusing on economic relations, Scandinavian participation in multilateral peace talks. (MM 8/17)

Jordan's King Hussein announces new "temporary" election law, establishing " 1 man 1 vote" system for 11/93 parliamentary elections. Move seen as threatening electoral prospects of Islamist, leftist opposition parties. (JTV 8/18 in FBIS 8/18; MM 8/18)

IDF soldier, Hamas mbr. wounded in clash in Rafah, Gaza Strip. In separate incidents, firebomb thrown at IDF position in Gaza City, grenade at Border Police patrol. (Ha Aretz 8/18 in FBIS 8/19)

PLO official Bassam Abu Sharif proposes forming Palestinian govt. in Jericho to negotiate final-status arrangements with Israel. Israeli Health Min. Haim Ramon rejects offer, but notes "PLO-Tunis is a meaningful eement even in the current negotiations." PLO envoy to Jordan Hakam Balawi says Abu Sharif's statements "not authorized." (Radio Lebanon, IDF Radio, Radio Jordan 8/14 in FBIS 8/16)

Jordan reportedly arrests 10 mbrs. of Islamist al-Tahrir party for attempted assassination of King Hussein. (RMC 8/14 in FBIS 8/16)

Israeli Environment Min. Yossi Sarid is reported to have met with PLO official Nabil Shaath with PM Rabin's knowledge. Rabin's spokesman denies meeting was on behalf of PM. Shaath refuses to confirm or deny meeting, says Palestinians "cannot accept" 6/30 U.S. paper (MBC Television 8/5 in FBIS 8/6; NYT 8/6)

Secy. of State Christopher meets with Jordan's King Hussein in Amman, then again with Palestinian and Israeli representatives in Jerusalem, bringing message from Syrian Pres. al-Asad to Israeli PM Rabin. Christopher states in Amman "there's been absolutely no change in the United States's position" on status of o.t. or Jerusalem (see 7/21). Rabin calls current shuttle diplomacy "a change for the better," says Palestinians "cannot get their act together." Christopher announces he will revisit Syria and assume role of "active intermediary." Palestinian delegation gives Christopher PLO memo on draft "statement of principles," but only after modifying it due to disagreements with Tunis's statements on jurisdiction of self-governing authority and Jerusalem. (JTV 8/5 in FBIS 8/6; Sawt al-Sha'b 8/5 in FBIS 8/5; Qol Yisra'el 8/5 in FBIS 8/6; NYT, WP 8/6)

Hizballah launches rockets into "security zone." IDF and SIA return fire. (WP 8/6)

Palestinian chief negotiator Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi, in "A Second Open Letter to the Palestinian Masses," published in the East Jerusalem newspaper al-Quds, calls on the PLO to "adopt the principle of collective leadership on a democratic and logical basis." He says that Palestinian leaders "have failed over and over in concentrating our own potential in the name of our cause," and advocates a "comprehensive national dialogue" as the solution to Palestinian difficulties. (al-Quds 7/10 in FBIS 7/15; full text in al-Fajr 7/19)

Pro-PLO bloc wins Arab Journalists' Association elections in Jerusalem, delayed 7 months due to internal dissension. (al-Fajr 7/19)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa meets with U.S. Special Coordinator Ross in Cairo. (MENA 7/10 in FBIS 7/12)

King Hussein orders first Jordanian multiparty elections since 1956 to be held in November. (NYT 7/1 1)

U.S. delegation led by Dennis Ross meets with PM Rabin, FM Peres at start of tour of Israel, Egypt, Syria, and Jordan. Ross says trip is to "narrow the gaps" in Israeli, Arab positions. (NYT 7/9)

Arafat and King Hussein at meeting in Amman establish Palestinian-Jordanian joint committee made up of Jordanian ministers, PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs., peace delegates. (al-Dustur 7/8 in FBIS 7/9)

Fateh Cent. Comm. mbr. Khalid al-Hasan proposes Swiss-style cantonal solution to Palestinian-Israeli conflict. (AFP 7/8 in FBIS 7/9)

IDF kills wanted Palestinian in Rafah, Gaza Strip. (Qol Yisra'el 7/8 in FBIS 7/8; NYT 7/9)

PFLP-GC fighters ambush IDF patrol in southern Lebanon, killing 2 and wounding 3. (WP 7/12)

7 Islamic fundamentalists, followers of Shaykh 'Abd al-Rahman, hanged in Cairo. (NYT 7/9)

Jordan's King Hussein meets Secy. of State Christopher and congressional leaders. (Radio Jordan 6/25 in FBIS 6/25)

Al-Fajr reports Palestinian delegation's clarification of trainees in Jordan: they are not connected with proposed police force, but will guard Palestinian institutions in the transitional period (see 6/20). (al-Fajr 6/25 in FBIS 6/28)

PFLP delegation led by Sec.-Gen. Habash meets with Yemeni V.P. 'Ali Salim al-Bid in San'a' (Yemeni Republic Radio 6/25 in FBIS 6/25)

Israel allows all o.t. residents over 50 to cross green line without special permits. (ITV 6/25 in FBIS 6/28)

Israeli helicopters fire rockets at Palestinian guerilla office near Tyre, Lebanon, wounding one. (MM 6/28)

Pres. Clinton meets with King Hussein in Washington. (NYT, WP, WT 6/19)

U.S. appoints Edward Djerejian amb. to Israel, Dennis Ross special Middle East coordinator. Ross had previously been designated head of Washington Institute for Near East Policy, to replace Martin Indyk. (MM 6/21)

Shaykh 'Abd al-Hamid al-Sa'ih, 86, announces he will resign as PNC speaker at next PNC session, citing disagreements with the conduct of the peace process. (AFP, RMC 5/22 in FBIS 5/24; WT 5/23)

Fateh issues leaflet in Gaza Strip calling for 1 strike day per month, preferably the 9th (intifada day). (Davar 5/23 in FBIS 5/24)

King Hussein openly breaks off support for Iraq, citing opposition to continued rule of both Saddam Hussein and the Ba'th party. (NYT 5/26)

Hamas Amman rep. Muhammad Nazzal denies PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud Abbas's 3/13 statement that Hamas position on Palestinian state in o.t. is a retreat; position has been consistent since 1988. (al-Sharq al-Awsat 3/15 in FBIS 3/17)

Israeli Env. Min. Yossi Sarid calls for PLO-led Palestinian state in the Gaza Strip. (IDF Radio, Qol Yisra'el 3/14 in FBIS 3/15)

Israeli National Police Commissioner Yaacov Temer calls on Israelis to carry handguns for self-defense, to increase public security. Police Min. Moshe Shahal criticizes the appeal. (Qol Yisra'el 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; WP 3/15)

King Hussein meets with PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs. Faruq al-Qaddumi and Mahmud Abbas, in course of 2 days of Jordanian-Palestinian meetings. FM Kamil Abu Jaber says the deportees issue "should be resolved" by 4/20. (JTV 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; MM 3/15)

U.K. resumes top-level contacts with PLO (see 3/6). (IDF Radio 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; WP 3/10)

In interview taped 2/28 and broadcast today, King Hussein says if Palestinians boycott upcoming peace talks, Jordan will also boycott. (WT 3/8; MM 3/11)

Hamas and Islamic Jihad clash in a mosque in Gaza City, apparently over "control" of the mosque (one of the biggest in the Gaza Strip), wounding 10. (Ha'Aretz 3/8 in FBIS 3/8)

Secy. of State Christopher meets with King Hussein in Amman. No invitation to visit Washington emerges. (NYT, WT 2/21)

Israel releases list of 101 deported Palestinians who may return immediately to the o.t. Deportees refuse to accept the list and pledge that none will return until all are allowed back. (Qol Yisra'el 2/5 in FBIS 2/5; Radio Lebanon 2/5 in FBIS 2/8; NYT 2/6)

Palestinian UN rep. Nasir al-Kidwa meets with UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus-Ghali, informs him of the PLO's decision not to participate in any peace talks until UNSCR 799 is implemented. (Sanaa VOP 2/5 in FBIS 2/8)

Chmn. Arafat meets with King Hussein in Amman, then flies to Cairo for 3-day visit. Talks with Pres. Mubarak focus on the deportees and peace talks, as well as arranging a Secy. of State Christopher-Arafat visit when the former visits the region beginning 2/17. (MENA, RJN, RMC 2/5 in FBIS 2/8)

Two polls find 61% and 54% of Israeli Jews are against the U.S.-Israeli package deal to allow 100 deportees back. (MaAriv, Yedi'ot Aharonot 2/5 in MM 2/5)

IDF shoots 3 armed Palestinians dead in a car in the Gaza Strip. IDF shoots 2 dead, wounds 30 more Palestinians in ensuing demonstrations. (NYT 2/6; MM 2/8)

As part of U.S.-brokered deal, Israel offers to allow 100 Palestinian deportees to return, to reduce the exile period to 1 year and allow relief to the remaining 296. U.S. Secy. of State Christopher says "further action by the UNSC is unnecessary"; Israel's offer came with a U.S. pledge to block any sanctions. (MM, NYT, WP 2/2)

PLO, Palestinian spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi reject Israel's "100" offer. (Algiers VOP 2/1 in FBIS 2/2; WP 2/2)

Chmn. Arafat meets with King Hussein in Amman, then leaves for Baghdad. (Radio Jordan 2/1, Jordan Times 2/2 in FBIS 2/2)

Israel announces it has arrested a 3rd Palestinian-American connected to Hamas (see 1/31). (Qol Yisra'el 2/1 in FBIS 2/1)

EC FMs meeting in Brussels welcome Israel's "100" offer, but have yet to determine whether it is sufficient to resume negotiations on extending economic cooperation with Israel. FM Peres is attending. (NYT 2/2)

U.S. announces it will include the actions of Hamas in its annual global terrorism report, officially labelling the org. as "terrorist." (WT 2/3)

IDF kills 10-year-old Palestinian girl, wounds 15 in dispersing Gaza Strip demonstrations. (WT 1/17)

King Hussein flies to Muscat for talks with Sultan Qaboos. Visit closely follows PLO leader Mahmud Abbas' visit to Saudi Arabia (see 1/11). (MM 1/15)

After speech commemorating 1947 UN partition res., PM Rabin says Chmn. Arafat is blocking peace talks for personal, not ideological reasons, because the PLO, like the World Zionist Organization after the founding of Israel, will become marginalized when a political settlement is reached. (Qol Yisra'el 11/29 in FBIS 11/30; MM 11/30)

On this UN-sponsored Day of Solidarity with the Palestinians, general strike observed in the o.t., King Hussein, Chmn. Arafat call for expanded UN role in peace negotiations. (Qol Yisra'el 11/29 in FBIS 11/30; MM, WT 11/30)

Russian amb. to Tunisia meets with Chmn. Arafat in Tunis, delivers message from Russian Pres. Yeltsin. (Algiers VOP 12/28 in FBIS 12/30)

IDF shoots Palestinian youth dead in Hebron. (Qol Yisra'el 11/29 in FBIS 11/30)

Israeli delegation presents Lebanon with proposal to establish a joint workingroup of military officers to discuss security arrangements on border. (Ha Aretz, Radio Lebanon 12/15 in FBIS 12/15)

IDF shoots Palestinian man dead in Gaza City. (Qol Yisra'el 11/27 in FBIS 11/30)

French Pres. Mitterrand meets with King Hussein in Amman. (JTV, Radio Jordan 11/27 in FBIS 12/1)

"Extended Palestinian leadership" concludes 3-day meeting in Tunis. Decision on whether or not to participate in 12/7-17 round of negotiations is delayed until after consultations are held with Arab states, Moscow, and Washington. (AFP, MENA 11/23 in FBIS 11/24)

Ten Palestinian factions issue statement denouncing Israeli-Jordanian draft agenda, urging withdrawal from peace talks. (QPAR 11/23 in FBIS 11/25)

Israeli undercover unit shoots dead 12- year-old Palestinian boy near Jerusalem. (IDF Radio 11/23 in FBIS 11/23; MM 11/23; NYT 11/24)

In address to military graduates, King Hussein reiterates his call for democracy in Iraq, offers no apology to Gulf states for Jordan's stance in Gulf war, and warns Islamists not to use extremism to achieve political goals. (MM 11/23; RJN 11/23 in FBIS 11/24; NYT 11/24)

Israeli delegation rejoins refugee talks in Ottawa, after receiving written U.S. assurances that Palestinian delegation head Muhammad Hallaj is no longer a member of the PNC. Palestinians begin talks with demand for discussion of right of return for all refugees, including those from 1948. (Qol Yisra'el 11/12 in FBIS 11/13; WP 11/13)

Bir Zeit University (near Ramallah, W. Bank) holds student council elections. Pro-Fateh faction "shelved their differences" over the peace talks with a pro-PFLP faction and a pro-DFLP (Hawatima wing) faction, to form a united pro-PLO front, which defeated the pro-Hamas candidates by 66% to 33% of the vote. In winner-take-all election, 5 seats go to Fateh, 3 to PFLP, 1 to DFLP. (WP 11/12)

Hizballah lose 1 gunman, kill 1, wound 3 IDF soldiers, kill 1 UN soldier, in rocket and machine-gun attacks in "security zone." Israel attacks from the air and heavily shells Hizballah target villages north of "security zone." (Qol Yisra'el 11/12 in FBIS 11/12; Radio Lebanon 11/12 in FBIS 11/13; WT, WP 11/13)

U.S. Amb. to Israel William Harrop delivers message to PM Rabin urging "continue[d] restraint" vis-a-vis Hizballah, as long U.S. diplomatic efforts to quell the violence continue in Beirut and Damascus. (MM 11/13)

IDF fatally shoots Palestinian youth in Hebron, W. Bank. IDF opens fire on Khan Yunis demonstrators, injuring 19; 2 suspected collaborators are killed in Gaza Strip, under curfew since 11/11 (MM 11/13)

King Hussein announces amnesty in honor of his 58th birthday (11/14) that will free 140 political prisoners, including those sentenced 11/10. (WP 11/13)

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)

UN inspection team finds no weapons placement violations on Israeli side of Golan Heights, but protests to Israel because it was prevented from inspecting 7 sites. (Hadashot 11/10 in FBIS 11/10)

King Hussein, in first speech to nation since operation, shows fatalism and announces he will undergo further checkups in the U.S., criticizes Iraqi invasion of Kuwait (see 8/17, 8/22). (NYT 11/6)

Israel and Jordan agree on draft agenda for negotiations with a formal peace treaty as the eventual goal, within the framework of a comprehensive Arab-Israeli settlement. This first mutual written agreement between Israel and the Arab side includes discussion of the Jordanian territorial demand, and construction of the "Red-Dead canal" between the two seas (see 10/22). (Jordan Times 10/29 in FBIS 10/29; WT 10/30; Educational TV [Israel], ITV 11/1 in FBIS 11/2; NYT 10/29, 11/2)

SHAS withdraws demand for Ed. Min. Shulamit Aloni's ouster, calling instead for her apology and pledge to abstain from religious exhortation, as well as expanded powers for its own dep. ed. min. MAPAM demands 4th cabinet portfolio for Meretz coalition, of which it is a part, calls for no capitulation to SHAS demands. (IDF Radio, Qol Yisra'el 10/28 in FBIS 10/29)

Israeli district court orders govt. to pay $62,000 in damages to family of unarmed Palestinian killed in 1988 by undercover IDF unit, $20,000 to family of Palestinian wounded in same incident. Precedent-setting ruling "basically" rejected Shin Bet claim that soldiers were on a military operation, an act of state with no liability. (WT 11/6; al-Fajr 11/9)

Knesset comm. decides not to revoke the parliamentary immunity ofMKs Naomi Chazan (Meretz), 'Abd al-Wahhab Darawsha and Taleb al-Sana (Arab Democratic Party), and Hashem Mahamid (HADASH) for meeting with top PLO officials recently, by vote of 8 to 6. (IDF Radio 10/28 in FBIS 10/29; WP 10/29)

"Tens of thousands" of Palestinians in Syria and Jordan demonstrate against the peace talks (see 10/26). (QPAR 10/28 in FBIS 10/29, 10/30)

King Hassan of Morocco meets with King Hussein in Amman. (MM 10/29)

Lebanese UN rep. lodges complain to UNSC over recent Israeli attacks, calls for implementation of UNSC Res. 425. (Radio Lebanon 10/29 in FBIS 10/29)