The IDF fires shells at a group of Palestinians that enters a closed military zone nr. the Gaza-Egypt border, killing 4 Palestinians, arresting 2 (1 of whom later dies in an Israeli hospital);...
6 1/2-hour Baker-Aziz talks in Geneva produce no results: Baker says he "heard nothing today that suggested to me any Iraqi flexibility," while Aziz says Baker's "language was diplomatic and...
Pentagon reportedly tells Pres. Bush that the dominant view held by American military officials is that U.S. troops will not be ready for offensive action against Iraq on 1/15, and that any attack...
Read more
The IDF fires shells at a group of Palestinians that enters a closed military zone nr. the Gaza-Egypt border, killing 4 Palestinians, arresting 2 (1 of whom later dies in an Israeli hospital); demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem; bulldozes several bedouin tents and shacks in Bir Nabala northwest of Jerusalem for construction of the separation wall; raids a PA Health Min. clinic in Bethlehem; fires on residential areas of Khan Yunis; conducts arrest raids in Bayt Rima, Burkin nr. Jenin, Qarawat Bani Zayd. The IDF detains and beats PA presidential candidate Mustafa Barghouthi and his bodyguards at a checkpoint into Jenin, preventing him fr. campaigning in the city; the IDF disputes the account, says Barghouthi refused to show ID, was never hit, was finally allowed to pass when he showed ID. Palestinians fire an antitank rocket into Gaza’s Nisanit settlement, causing no damage or injuries. (AP, PM 12/8; VOI, VOP 12/8 in WNC 12/10; PCHR, WP 12/9; JAZ, VOI, VOP, YA 12/9 in WNC 12/11; NYT 12/10; NYT 12/11; WP 12/12; PR 12/15)
Abbas, Qurai‘ meet with Lebanese pres. Emile Lahoud, PM Omar Karami, parliamentary speaker Nabih Birri in Beirut, marking the 1st visit by the Palestinian leadership to Lebanon since Arafat withdrew to Tunis in 1982. Abbas, Qurai‘ visit Shatila r.c., Sidon, and Rashidiyya r.c. (a Fatah stronghold) where they are greeted by 1,000s of refugees, pledge to uphold the right of return. They do not visit nearby ‘Ayn al-Hilwa r.c. (AFP, WT 12/8; VOP 12/8 in WNC 12/10; AP 12/9; al-Quds, VOP 12/9 in WNC 12/11; NYT 12/13; Daily Star, alNahar, al-Safir 12/13 in WNC 12/16; PR 12/15)
6 1/2-hour Baker-Aziz talks in Geneva produce no results: Baker says he "heard nothing today that suggested to me any Iraqi flexibility," while Aziz says Baker's "language was diplomatic and polite . .. [b]ut the sub- stance was full of threats." Aziz says if attacked, Iraq will "absolutely" attack Israel; Aziz refuses to accept personal letter from Pres. Bush to Saddam Hussein, saying language used was not proper for world leaders. Iraqi embassy in Washington also refuses letter [INA 1/9 in FBIS 1/9; BADS, RMC, JTN 1/9, WAKH, MENA, BADS, DDS 1/10 in FBIS 1/10; MEM 1/9; NYT, LAT, WP, MEM 1/10].
Israel increases its military readiness in light of Geneva meeting [JDS 1/9 in FBIS 1/9]; Israeli politicians are lobbying Washington to destroy Iraqi military machine in war, arguing that if it is not done now, it will have to be done at greater cost in a few years [WP 1/10].
French Pres. Mitterrand says he will pursue peace through independent diplomatic efforts until UN deadline expires [NYT 1/10].
Lebanese P.M. Karami says in policy statement that he promises to disarm and disband all armed militias in country; although not mentioned specifically, his statement is taken to include Palestinian groups operating in Lebanon [NYT 1/10]
Karami's gov't. wins vote of confidence by majority of 37 votes [RFL 1/9 in FBIS 1/10].
Jordan closes its border with Iraq, saying it could not cope with another large flow of refugees into the country [ADS, RMC 1/9 in FBIS 1/9; MEM 1/9; NYT, WP 1/10].
International Popular Islamic Conference begins in Baghdad (cf. 1/11) [BADS 1/9 in FBIS 1/9].
Maghreban Consultative Council, parliamentary body of Arab Maghreb Union, concludes 3-day session, adopting resolution expressing solidarity with Iraq and condemning U.S. forces in region [MEM 1/9; MAP, JANA 1/10 in FBIS 1/11].
Pentagon reportedly tells Pres. Bush that the dominant view held by American military officials is that U.S. troops will not be ready for offensive action against Iraq on 1/15, and that any attack should be deferred until February at earliest (cf. 12/26) [NYT, WP 12/25].
Iraq recalls its ambassadors from major European capitals, Washington, and Tokyo for consultations over deadlock in Gulf crisis [NYT, LAT, WP 12/25].
Saddam Hussein reportedly says Tel Aviv will be his 1st target in the event war breaks out; Israel promises swift and terrible retribution if attacked [LAT, WT, WP 12/25].
The Satanic Verses author Salman Rushdie's statement from hidden location affirms his Muslim faith, says he will not publish paperback version of book (cf. 12/26) [LAT, WT 12/25].
Israel in 1990 received highest number of immigrants in one year since 1949; about 187,000 people, mostly Soviet Jews, have arrived to date, and authorities expect 200,000 by year's end [LAT, WT, WP 12/25].
Housing Minister Ariel Sharon announces gov't.'s plan to locate 2,500 more houses for Jewish settlers in o.t., almost certainly including new Soviet immigrants, despite past assurances new immigrants would not be settled in o.t. [WP 12/26; FJ 12/31].
W. Bank and Gaza observe general strike called for by UNLU; signs of Christmas are noticeably absent in Bethlehem [NYT, WT, WP 12/25].
Newly-appointed Lebanese P.M. Omar Karami forms 30-man pro-Syrian cabinet, half-Christian and half-Muslim. Lebanese Forces leader Samir Geagea refuses post because of cabinet's pro-Syrian tilt [BVL, BDS 12/24, AFP 12/25 in FBIS 12/26; AFP 12/24, BVL 12/26 in FBIS 12/27; NYT, WP 12/25].
