The Palestine Chronology

In his new autobiography An American Life, published today, Ronald Reagan says Israel was the instigator and prime mover in Iran-contra affair; that then-P.M. Shimon Peres "was behind the proposal" [WP 11/5].

Sec. Baker and King Fahd agree to framework for command and control over American and Saudi military forces in event of war [WP 11/5, 11/6; NYT 11/5; SPA 11/5 in FBIS 11/6].

Returning to Paris from Egypt, Pres. Mitterrand meets King Hussein to discuss Gulf crisis [JTE 11/6 in FBIS 11/6].

Rabbi Meir Kahane, controversial founder of militant Jewish Defense League and Kach party, is assassinated by Egyptian-American after delivering lecture in New York City (cf. 11/6, 11/7) [WP 11/6, 11/7, 11/8; NYT 11/6].

Former W. German chancellor Willy Brandt flies to Baghdad with $4 million worth of baby food and medicine on hostage "rescue" mission that embarrasses German gov't and draws objections from European officials worried about growing number of special envoys visiting Iraq [INA 11/5 in FBIS 11/6; WP, NYT, MEM 11/6].

Twenty-four of world's wealthiest nations, joined together since September as Gulf Crisis Financial Coordination Group, pledge to give $13 billion in special aid to nations hurt worst by economic sanctions against Iraq. Egypt, Turkey, and Jordan are to receive $10.5 billion by end of 1991. Group mem-bers include U.S., Japan, and EC nations (cf. 11/9) [MEM, NYT 11/6].

P.M. Shamir's gov't survives vote of con- fidence, 57-50; vote called for by Labor and leftist parties [JDS 11/5 in FBIS 11/6; MEM 11/6].

Amal and Hizballah sign peace accord in Damascus under supervision of top Syrian and Iranian officials. Agreement apparently will end battle for supremacy in S. Lebanon [INRA, DST 11/5 in FBIS 11/6; MEM 11/6; NYT, WP 11/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: PM Peres rejects call for UN peace conference, direct talks with PLO [CSM 12/6];. offers to meet Hussein "with no preconditions" [MG 12/4]. Al-Najah U. opens after 4-mo. closure by occupation authorities UP 12/3]. Atty. Gen. Zamir threatens Knesset members with prosecution if they meet with PLO or "enemy agents" [JTA 12/3].

Arab World: Jordan and Egypt jointly call for UN peace conference, with PLO participation, based on UN Res. 242 [NYT 12/4]. Chrmn. Arafat meets King Fahd in Riyadh [LAT 12/4].

Military Action

Arab World: Bomb wounds IDF soldier as convoy passes through Saraf and, S. Lebanon [JP 12/4]. IDF kills woman in Jibsheet, S. Lebanon [MG 12/5]. Jordanian diplomat 'Azmi al-Mufti assassinated in Bucharest [WP 12/5].

Military Action:

IDF chief Eitan and northern commander Drori meet with Phalange commanders in Beirut at 3:30 AM; IDF invades major parts of West Beirut in 6-pronged thrust starting at 5:30 AM, hours after Gemayel death officially announced; IDF request that Lebanese Army enter Palestinian refugee camps to "purge" them of PLO guerrillas refused twice as Lebanese Army deployments disintegrate; LNM militias knock out 2 IDF tanks; 14 Israeli gunboats take up positions and shell Ramlet el-Baida; by evening, IDF force of tanks, APCs and infantry has penetrated 2.5 miles into West Beirut, surrounded camps and set up control points; Phalange symbols found painted on signs and buildings near camps.

Casualties:

West Beirut residents panic amidst shellings; Phalange estimates 26 dead, 60 wounded in bomb blast that killed Gemayel; 2 IDF killed, 42 wounded by LNM attack in West Beirut.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Territories: Begin, Sharon and Shamir meet in early morning, approve entry into West Beirut "to prevent bloodshed"; Israeli government states IDF advance taken to prevent anarchy after Gemayel's death; IDF command describes entry as a "police action"; Israeli radio claims Israelis assure Reagan of end to military moves in 24 hours; Peres calls for re-entry of multinational force into Beirut; Peace Now calls for IDF withdrawal from Lebanon; Draper holds talks with Begin; Israel expresses "shock" at Pope receiving Arafat, condemns meeting.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: West Beirut Muslim leaders meet in emergency session at Salam's home, appeal urgently to Reagan and Fahd to "curb the Israeli invasion of our capital"; Lebanese of diverse factions pay respects to Gemayel family.

Arab Governments: Egypt rejects Reagan plan for "self-governing" Palestinian entity federated with Jordan, insists on IDF pullback from Beirut as precondition for continuing autonomy talks.

US and Other Countries: Arafat meets Pope at Vatican following lunch with Italian President Pertini and an address to international Inter-Parliamentary Union (membership from 98 countries).

Military Action:

First PLO units to be evacuated to Syria publicly welcomed in Tartus (Israeli claim that overland evacuation "postponed" at Syrian request denied in Damascus); IDF tanks head north from Beirut; PLO, Syrians fortify positions in Bekaa; two PLO groups leave Beirut for Syria, Sudan following massive public farewells (PLO overland evacuation to Syria postponed again, for "technical reasons"); Sharon allows Syrians to send trucks to remove heavy vehicles from Beirut; US Marines land at Beirut and US officer meets with PLO leadership to discuss guarding port area; IDF forces "thinned" near Beirut.

Casualties: 1 IDF soldier dies after being shot by sniper in Galerie Semaan (333rd IDF soldier killed); mine kills 4 Lebanese villagers near Jouayeh; Bekaa front quiet; 9 civilians killed, 27 wounded accidentally in farewell fusillades by LNM forces.

Political Responses:

Israel/ Occupied Temritories: Sharon meets with West Bank Village League heads concerning their participation in "autonomy" talks (later states opposition to Palestinian state because "it already exists" in Jordan); grenade hurled at IDF vehicle in Gaza Strip (fourth such incident in Occupied Territories in one week); Union of Palestinian Women's Committees from West Bank visit Palestinian and Lebanese victims of Israeli invasion in Haifa hospitals; Begin calls for resumption of autonomy talks with Egypt, claims "war" with PLO in West Beirut over; government announces 7 more settlements planned for West Bank, Golan Heights; Sharon says he expects Lebanon to sign peace treaty with Israel; Peres calls for establishment of commission of inquiry to examine government conduct of Lebanese war.

Palestinians/ Lebanese: Opposition to Gemayel presidency among Lebanese Muslims remains strong.

Arab Govemments: Syria warns Gemayel against signing peace treaty with Israel; Saudi Prince Saud meets Assad in Damascus (Saudis reportedly involved in negotiations with US on withdrawal of forces from Lebanon); Saudi King Fahd donates $500 m. to repair damage to Sidon.

US and Other Countries: Habib, in Tel Aviv, asks Sharon to allow French soldiers to safeguard section of Beirut-Damascus road during evacuation and to restrain Phalange attacks; 3 US congressmen meet Begin in Israel; Reagan assures Congress of Marines' noncombat role in Lebanon in notification required under War Powers Act.