The Palestine Chronology

In the West Bank, Israeli forces opened fire at a van carrying 6 Palestinians in the Masafer Yatta area, causing it to overturn; 1 was injured by live ammunition while the 5 others suffered minor injuries from the crash. In Gaza, Palestinian militants fired 4 rockets at Israel, 1 of which was intercepted and 3 fell in open areas. Israel forces later conducted air strikes in Gaza, firing 10 missiles near Gaza City and 2 near Nuseirat refugee camp, causing damage but no injuries. Off the coast of Gaza, Israeli naval forces opened fire at Palestinian fishermen within 6 nautical miles west of the coast; no injuries were reported. (AP 7/15; AJ, AP, F24, MEE, NBC, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/16; TOI 7/17; PCHR 7/21; UNOCHA 7/22)

In Saudi Arabia, U.S. president Joe Biden partook in the Jeddah Security and Development Summit with the heads of state of Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Qatar, the UAE, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, and Iraq. A final communique from the meeting mentioned the importance of ending the Palestinian-Israeli conflict though a 2-state solution based on the Arab Peace Initiative. (AA, AJ, ALM, AP, AX, MEE, NYT, REU, REU, REU, REU, REU, WAFA, WAFA, WAFA 7/16; HA, JP, REU, TOI, TOI, WAFA 7/17; AJ 7/18; MEE 7/19; HA 7/20)

Beset by challenges from within Conservative party, British P.M. Margaret Thatcher announces her resignation [NYT, LAT, WP 11/23; CSM 11/26].

Pres. Bush visits U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia, says they may have to face "some pain now to avoid even worse pain later," then flies to Cairo [NYT, LAT, WP 11/23; MET 12/4].

D.M. Tom King says Britain will send 14,000 more troops and additional tanks, aircraft, and ships to the Gulf by the end of the year, bringing total number of British troops there to more than 30,000 [NYT, LAT, MEM 11/23].

Visiting Sanaa, Yemen, Sec. Baker is rebuffed in efforts to persuade Yemen, only Arab country on UN Sec. Council, to support resolution authorizing use of force against Iraq. Pres. Saleh criticizes buildup of foreign forces in Gulf [SDS 11/22 in FBIS 11/23; SDS 11/23 in FBIS 11/26; NYT, LAT, WP, MEM 11/23]; Baker then flies to Jeddah [SPA 11/22 in FBIS 11/23].

PLO leader Yasir Arafat arrives in Baghdad, says he strongly supports Saddam Hussein's assertions that Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait must be tied to overall settlement of conflicts in region; adds there is no alternative to negotiations between Iraq and U.S. [BVP 11/22 in FBIS 11/27; NYT 11/26].

D.M. Moshe Arens instructs IDF to expand enlistment of Bedouins into its ranks [MAA 11/23 in FBIS 11/23].

Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek and E. Jerusalem Arabs praise Jerusalem district planning committee's decision to build 7,500 new apartments for Palestinians northwards from French Hill junction towards Ramallah [JPD 11/23 in FBIS 11/23; MEM 11/23; JPI 12/1].

Kuwaiti gov't.-in-exile extends $550 million medium-term loan to the Soviet Union on favorable terms; "observers" point to "political aspect" of loan [MEM 11/23]. 

Soviet Union and Israel sign agreement on scientific cooperation and exchanges of scientific information [TASS 11/22 in FBIS 11/28].

Pres. Bush arrives in Jeddah, meets with King Fahd and the Emir of Kuwait. Bush announces his intention to meet with Pres. Asad in Geneva; decision prompts "anger and hurt" in Israel [SPA, DDS 11/21, JPD 11/22 in FBIS 11/23; LAT, NYT, WT, MEM 11/21].

Media report Iraq has defaulted on at least $2.5 billion in loans guaranteed by U.S. gov't. and taxpayers will have to pick up Baghdad's debts [LAT, WT 11/22].

IDF announces it has set up 90 military outposts along roads in o.t. during past 6 months at cost of NIS 200,000 ($100,000) each [JDS 11/21 in FBIS 11/21].

PLO Exec. Committee issues statement criticizing Israeli P.M. Shamir's 11/18 remark [BVP 11/22 in FBIS 11/23]; Arab League also condemns Shamir statement [TDS 11/21 in FBIS 11/27]; PLO sends 2 memorandums to UN Sec.-Gen., one concerning Shamir's remark, the other regarding Ariel Sharon's 11/19 announcement on housing in E. Jerusalem [TDS 11/21 in FBIS 11/23].

B'Tselem report says Israeli military authorities are again stepping up punitive house demolitions in o.t. [MEM 11/22; MET 12/4].

Draft 1991 budget from Israeli Finance Ministry allocates $6.5 billion for resettling Soviet Jewish immigrants, nearly 4 times the 1990 allocation. Only $6.1 billion is earmarked for defense. Knesset is to begin budget debate on 11/25 [MEM 11/22].

Kuwaiti gov't.-in-exile sets up 35-member advisory council made up of Kuwaiti citizens; Kuwait becomes 3d GCC nation, after Saudi Arabia and Oman, this month to declare itself in favor of broadening popular participation in state affairs [MEM 11/22].

New York-based Middle East Watch issues 3d report on conditions in Kuwait since 8/2, accusing Iraqi forces of summary executions, torture, and collective punishment [MEM 11/22].

Iraqi F.M. Aziz makes surprise visit to Oman, 1st by Iraqi official to Gulf state since 8/2 [MEM 11/22].