The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: King Hussein calls on Palestinian people to decide who should lead them [NYT 2/23]. Syrian Pres. Hafiz al-Asad has called King Hussein about a joint approach to M.E. peace following Hussein's decision to suspend talks with Yasir Arafat [LT 2/22].

Other Countries: UN Secretary-General Javier Perez de Cuellar summoned Israeli UN ambassador this week and demanded Israel withdraw all its invading forces from S. Lebanon, expressed concern over extensive military operations Irael carried out in S. Lebanon in violation of international law [DW 2/22]. France has freed and expelled 2 members of the Abu Nidal organization who served half of their prison terms for assassinating a PLO leader and another Palestinian in France in 1978 [NYT, LT 2/22].

Military Action

Arab World: Israeli army thins out forces in S. Lebanon, withdraws most mechanized infantry units to "security zone." Army sources confirm 2,000 Lebanese suspects were interrogated and "between 50 and 100" are still held. It is unclear how many of the estimated 3,000 Israeli troops used in the search remain in Lebanon [WP 2/23].

Other Countries: Soviet navy has increased number of vessels off Israeli coast to 3 warships, 1 spy ship, 2 support vessels [JDW 2/22].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Over 150 Palestinians, Israelis replant olive saplings uprooted by the Nature Reserves Authority 3 weeks ago, north of Jerusalem; 6 Israeli officials reportedly try to uproot some replanted saplings, army disperses both groups UP 1/26]. Israeli military delegation ends 5-day visit to Liberia for talks on "future cooperation" [JDW 1/25].

Arab World: Yasir Arafat arrives in Amman for talks with King Hussein [CSM 1/27]. Jordanian govt. sends parliament a new electoral law that would reassert Jordan's responsibility for the West Bank, provide representation for Palestinian refugees in Jordan; parliamentary legal committee is studying the law [NYT 1/26].

Other Countries: UN Undersecretary-General Brian Urquhart states PLO should accept UN resolutions 242, 338, that Israel should not dictate who represents Palestinians at peace talks [JP 1/26]. Interpol issues worldwide wanted notice for Abu Nidal [PI 1/31].

Military Action

Arab World: SLA shells Shi'ite village of Kafra in S. Lebanon, killing 1 UNIFIL soldier [NYT 1/26]. Libyan leader Col. Mu'ammar Qadhdhafi boards missile-bearing patrol boat, sails into Gulf of Sidra, 1 day after U.S. 6th Fleet began maneuvers off Libyan coast [WP 1/26].