The Palestine Chronology

After Israeli jurists confirm that the existing Oslo agmts. give Israel overriding responsibility for security in the West Bank and Gaza that would permit the IDF to reenter any PA area, Israel drops its demand for written guarantees fr. the PA detailing IDF hot pursuit rights in Hebron, a key sticking point of the talks. (MM 11/27; IDF Radio 11/27 in WNC 11/29; MM 11/28; IDF Radio 11/28 in WNC 12/2; CSM, MM 11/29)

JT reports that the PLO is setting up a new "superministry" that will replace the Tunis-based Department of Returnees Affairs and will have headquarters in Gaza and offices in Amman, Gaza, West Bank to deal with issues concerning Palestinian refugees. The main objectives of the superministry, which will not be tied to any PA ministry, are political mobilization of the refugees; improvement of refugees' living conditions; establishment and further development of bilateral ties with Arab and non-Arab countries, the UNRWA, the Multilateral Working Group on Refugees. (JT 11/27 in WNC 12/2)

Netanyahu adviser Gold arrives in London for talks with the British FMin. on ways of advancing regional cooperation. (IDF Radio 11/27 in WNC 12/2; MM 11/29) (see 12/25)

Israeli Atty. Gen. Mikhael Ben-Ya'ir reports that border police routinely mistreat Palestinians, recommends that officers convicted of abuse be punished more harshly. (WT 11/28) (see 11/26)

Turkey announces that it has canceled its purchase of Cobra helicopters fr. the U.S., gives the U.S. no explanation. (ANATOLIA 11/27 in WNC 11/29)

Israel reinforces troops, equipment in s. Lebanon. Israeli naval vessels detain, search a German ship entering Tyre port. (RL 11/27 in WNC 11/29) (see 11/23)

The Lebanese government passes a law suspending the closure of all unlicensed media outlets, which was set for 11/30 (see 9/17). Under the law, unlicensed outlets may continue to broadcast apolitical news only until they are explicitly denied a license. (al-Nahar 11/28 in WNC 12/4)

PLO's Faruq Qaddumi arrives in Beirut fr. Damascus, meets with Lebanese FM Buwayz, announces he is making a tour of Arab states (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria) to gain support for a "council to look after Palestinian refugees abroad." (al-Hayat, al-Nahar 3/9 in FBIS 3/12; al-Nahar 3/31 in FBIS 4/3)

Lebanon puts its forces on alert, fearing either Israel will deport Palestinians to its territory or attack s. Lebanon. Israeli puts its forces in s. Lebanon on alert, fearing a Hizballah attack as a demonstration of support for recent bombings. (IDF Radio, RL 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; RL, VOL 3/10 in FBIS 3/11) (see 3/5, 3/7)

PA amb. to Ankara Fu'ad Yasin says 8 Palestinians have disappeared in Turkey, apparently for political reasons, since the recent bombings in Israel; says the PA is following the issue closely with Turkish officials. (MENA 3/8 in FBIS 3/8)

To prevent suspects connected to recent bombings fr. fleeing by sea, Israel bans all fishing off the Gaza coast. PA condemns the action as collective punishment, violation of Oslo accords. (IDF Radio 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; NYT 3/9; WT 3/11)

In Burqa, West Bank, IDF blows up house rented by family of the 3/3 bomber. In Jerusalem, the IDF serves the Conference of Sciences and Islamic Education offices in n. Jerusalem with closure, partial confiscation orders, saying offices are used as a Hamas base. (VOP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11; WT 3/9; MM 3/20)

PA police detain Hamas spokesman Zahhar in Gaza City. (AFP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11)

PSF West Bank head Col. Jibril Rajub is forced to resign after refusing to carry out Arafat's orders to arrest Hamas leaders. Hussayn Shaykh, current head of Ramallah security, is appointed to replace him. (ITV, QY, RMC 3/9, HA 3/11 in FBIS 3/11; WT 3/10; QY 3/10 in FBIS 3/12)