PLO rep. in Lebanon Shafiq al-Hut "suspends" mbrship. in PLO Exec. Comm. because of "political, financial and organizational" crises, calls for emergency meeting of PNC. (MM, WT 8/23)
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PLO rep. in Lebanon Shafiq al-Hut "suspends" mbrship. in PLO Exec. Comm. because of "political, financial and organizational" crises, calls for emergency meeting of PNC. (MM, WT 8/23)
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U.S. State Dept. announces plans to fund $14m o.t. job-creation program. (MM, WT 5/5; WP 5/6)
At econ. devt. multilateral meeting in Rome, Palestinian delegate Samir Hulayleh says World...
Hamas Amman rep. Muhammad Nazzal says Hamas supports Palestinian state in West Bank and Gaza as first step toward liberating all of Palestine; recognition of or dialogue with Israel is "out of the...
Palestinian leadership concludes meetings in Tunis, issues final statement calling for repatriation of deportees and escalation of intifada. The 2 other major issues on Hamas' and the...
Having to leave Jerusalem abruptly because of his mother's death, Sec. Baker does not have chance to meet with Palestinians, but does meet with P.M. Shamir, F.M. Levy; Baker says in news...
Pres. Gorbachev makes round of telephone calls to leaders of U.S., Britain, Germany, Egypt, France, and Italy to try to persuade them how close positions of Iraq and U.S. had become through Soviet...
Commander of Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Avihu Bin-Nun, says U.S. and Israel still have no mechanisms in place to coordinate military activities, and that U.S. may not be able to give Israel...
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...
Two-day tripartite meeting of foreign ministers of Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia begins in Cairo; this is 3d meeting since Gulf crisis began [MENA, RMC 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; MET 12/11].
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Heads of state of 12 EC countries end 2-day summit in Dublin, issue statement on Middle East opposing Israeli settlement policy, calling for international conference, and for strengthening trade...
In speech to UN Sec.Council in Geneva, Arafat urges that UN international force be sent to O.T. to protect Palestinians [NYT, LAT 5/26; RMC 5/25 in FBIS 5/29].
Socialist Intemational ends...
Former IDF soldier, in uniform, shoots dead 7 Arabs, wounds 11 others near Rishon le Zion after taking away their ID cards as they were on their way to work; Shamir condemns attack [IDF, JDS 5/20...
Poland becomes 3d Warsaw Pact nation to renew full diplomatic ties with Israel, ending 23-year break [NYT 2/28].
D.M. Rabin says Israel is asking U.S. for compensation for U.S. supplying...
Jordan's King Hussein, noting U.S. abstention on 2/16 UN resolution against settlement, expresses concern that U.S. is reducing opposition to Israeli settlements in O.T. [WP 2/18; ADS 2/18 in FBIS...
PLO rep. in Lebanon Shafiq al-Hut "suspends" mbrship. in PLO Exec. Comm. because of "political, financial and organizational" crises, calls for emergency meeting of PNC. (MM, WT 8/23)
Palestinian delegation head Faisal Husseini, addressing meeting in Hebron, warns Palestinian institutions are in a "state of total collapse," alludes to formation of "national salvation govt." to avert crisis. (MM 8/24)
DFLP head Nayif Hawatmah says large nmbr. of PLO Exec. Comm. mbrs. are considering "collective resignation" to protest Arafat's leadership. (RMC 8/22 in FBIS 8/23; MM 8/24)
Israel grants permanent residency to 6,000 Palestinians in o.t. under family reunification policy. (Qol Yisra'el 8/22 in FBIS 8/24)
Islamic Jihad claims 8/20 killing of guard at West Bank settlement. (VOL 8/22 in FBIS 8/24)
U.S. State Dept. announces plans to fund $14m o.t. job-creation program. (MM, WT 5/5; WP 5/6)
At econ. devt. multilateral meeting in Rome, Palestinian delegate Samir Hulayleh says World Bank is studying a $ lb. o.t. aid package, to be implemented as part of autonomy agreement. (MM 5/4, 5/5; Ha'Aretz 5/5 in FBIS 5/6)
Israel presents Palestinians with proposal for mutual water usage, which head delegate Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi terms "an encouraging opening." (MM 5/5)
Four Nablus notables close to Fateh meet with Israeli Police Min. Moshe Shahal to discuss o.t. police force, recommend Jordanian-based Palestine Liberation Army for the job. (IDF Radio 5/4, Hadashot 5/5 in FBIS 5/5)
Israel presents Lebanon with first-ever proposal linking withdrawal according to UNSCR 425 with a peace treaty. Political powers are proposed for the joint military workingroup (a long-standing Israeli request). (MM 5/5; Davar 5/12 in FBIS 5/12; al-Safir 5/11 in FBIS 5/17)
UNLU calls on Palestinians to seal off o.t. from Israelis and settlers in retaliation for the unilateral cosure, in call no. 95. (Al Hamishmar 5/5 in FBIS 5/6)
DFLP chief Nayif Hawatima and Pres. Saddam Hussein meet in Baghdad, discuss opposition to Arab-Israeli peace talks. (RMC 5/5 in FBIS 5/6; Sawt al-Sha'b 5/9 in FBIS 5/10)
IDF shoots 3 Palestinians dead, wounds over 40, in the Gaza Strip. (MM 5/4; NYT, WP 5/5)
Israel, SLA shell Lebanese villages. (RFL, VOM 5/4 in FBIS 5/4)
Hamas Amman rep. Muhammad Nazzal says Hamas supports Palestinian state in West Bank and Gaza as first step toward liberating all of Palestine; recognition of or dialogue with Israel is "out of the question." PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud 'Abbas calls the statement "political chicanery," but "a kind of retreat." (RMC 3/13, 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; MM 3/15)
Fateh issues statement accusing Fateh Revolutionary Council (Abu Nidal) of carrying out assassinations in southern Lebanon and promoting intra-Palestinian discord. Fateh "will not allow this to happen." (RMC, VOL 3/13 in FBIS 3/16)
Pres. Asad meets with Pres. Hirawi in Damascus. (SARA 3/13 in FBIS 3/15)
PM Hariri says Lebanon will not disarm resistance groups fighting Israel in the south until Israel withdraws from Lebanese territory. (Radio Lebanon 3/13 in FBIS 3/16)
IDF fires at car in Hebron, killing 3-year-old Palestinian girl. (Qol Yisra'el 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; WT 3/15)
Palestinian leadership concludes meetings in Tunis, issues final statement calling for repatriation of deportees and escalation of intifada. The 2 other major issues on Hamas' and the rejectionists' agenda-withdrawal from the peace talks and restructuring the PLO-were not resolved, though continued dialogue unanimously supported. (RMC 12/27 in FBIS 12/28; Jordan Times 12/29 in FBIS 12/29)
PM Rabin meets with UN special envoy James Jonah (undersecy.-gen. for political affairs), refuses to allow humanitarian aid to reach the 415 Palestinian deportees. (WP 12/28)
U.S. jets shoot down Iraqi fighter that entered the southern "no-fly zone." (WP, NYT 12/28)
Having to leave Jerusalem abruptly because of his mother's death, Sec. Baker does not have chance to meet with Palestinians, but does meet with P.M. Shamir, F.M. Levy; Baker says in news conference before departing that Israel had failed to give responses he needed to continue trying to put together peace conference, and that he and Pres. Bush will have to reevaluate diplomatic steps [MEM 4/26; NYT, LAT 4/27; IDF, JDS 4/26 in FBIS 4/26; MET 5/7].
UN Sec.-Gen. Javier Perez de Cuellar announces that UN relief teams will take over Kurdish refugee camps in northern Iraq from American troops "as soon as possible" [LAT 4/27; MET 5/7].
Baghdad says it will disband its millionman militia, the Popular Army, and will let citizens travel abroad [NYT 4/27; INA 4/26 in FBIS 4/29].
Yasir Arafat, George Habash, and Nayif Hawatimah arrive in Khartoum to take part in Islamic Arab People's Conference [RMC 4/26 in FBIS 5/1].
Pres. Gorbachev makes round of telephone calls to leaders of U.S., Britain, Germany, Egypt, France, and Italy to try to persuade them how close positions of Iraq and U.S. had become through Soviet mediation efforts; Westem leaders respond that Iraq had not begun moving troops out of Kuwait by noon. Moscow says Iraq "lost the chance" to take advantage of Soviet efforts [NYT, WP 2/24].
Iraq fires SCUD missile at Israel 10 minutes before noon deadline; no injuries are reported [NYT 2/24; MET 3/5].
Pres. Bush says Iraq's failure to meet noon deadline leaves coalition forces "no alternative but to continue to prosecute the war" [NYT 2/24].
Allied troops move into Kuwait and Iraq in faster than expected ground advances; forces meet scattered resistance; allied casualties are "extremely light," with fewer than 20 U.S. soldiers being killed; over 5,500 Iraqi POWs are taken in 1st 10 hours of assault; after 22 hours Iraqi POW total is nearing 10,000 [WP 2/24; RIDS 2/24 in FBIS 2/25; NYT, LAT, WT, WP, CSM 2/25; MET 3/5].
Iran's Pres. Rafsanjani says U.S. is exceeding UN mandate in its pursuit of war with Iraq [NYT 2/24].
Egypt's gov't. publications for 1st time calls for Saddam Hussein to be overthrown [NYT 2/24]; Cairo students demonstrate against allied forces' ground war; security forces use tear gas to disperse marchers [RMC 2/24 in FBIS 2/25].
Commander of Israeli Air Force, Maj. Gen. Avihu Bin-Nun, says U.S. and Israel still have no mechanisms in place to coordinate military activities, and that U.S. may not be able to give Israel advance warning of mis- sile launches [NYT 1/16]; Bin-Nun also warns Jordan that should Israel be drawn into war, there is no way for his planes to approach Iraq except through Jordanian airspace [LAT, WP 1/16].
PLO reports that Hamza Abu Said, a dissident from Abu Nidal's Fateh Revolutionary Council, killed Abu lyad and two others; 3 Palestinians are killed and 30 wounded in clashes between IDF and Palestinians an- gered over assassinations; curfews are imposed to prevent further clashes; Israel says it had nothing to do with assassinations [AFP, JDS, IDF 1/15 in FBIS 1/15; NYT, WT, WP 1/16].
Saddam Hussein visits Iraqi troops in Kuwait [BADS 1/15 in FBIS 1/16; LAT 1/16].
Tens of thousands of anti-war protestors take to streets in Washington, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and New York, as well as elsewhere [LAT, WT, WP 1/16].
In strongest appeal since crisis began, King Fahd urges Saddam to "prove to the world that you are worthy of the responsibility you are shouldering in ruling Iraq" and leave Kuwait [LAT 1/16]; Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar also issues statement making final appeal to Saddam to leave Kuwait [NYT, LAT, WT, WP 1/16].
Pres. Mubarak sends last-minute proposal to Saddam Hussein, also asks Pres. Bush to delay military option [RMC 1/15 in FBI 1/16; WP 1/16].
British House of Commons votes 534-57 to endorse gov't. policy of waging war against Iraq [WP 1/16].
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].
Two-day tripartite meeting of foreign ministers of Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia begins in Cairo; this is 3d meeting since Gulf crisis began [MENA, RMC 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; MET 12/11].
Greater Beirut officially comes under control of Lebanese Army after Lebanese Forces militia vacate positions [MEM 12/3; NYT, WT, WP, CSM 12/4; BDS, BVL, RFL 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; MET 12/11].
Def. Sec. Cheney tells Senate Armed Services Committee that military action rather than economic sanctions is only sure way of forcing Iraq out of Kuwait [NYT, WT, WP, MEM 12/4; CSM 12/5].
Soviet television reports that 1,000 of the 3,000 Soviet citizens still held in Iraq will be allowed to return to USSR within next 3 weeks [NYT, WT, WP 12/4].
In separate statements before English-speaking or American audiences, Israeli D.M. Moshe Arens, Housing Min. Ariel Sharon, Deputy F.M. Benjamin Netanyahu, and several MKs offer sharp warnings that Iraq should not be left with its army and weapons intact after Gulf crisis [NYT 12/4; WP 12/6]; Sharon compares Sec. Baker's proposed Baghdad trip to Neville Chamberlain in World War II [JDS 12/3 in FBIS 12/4].
Israeli military court sentences to 30 years each of 12 Arabs apprehended in PLF's May 1990 attempted attack on Tel Aviv beach [IDF 12/3 in FBIS 12/5; LAT 12/4; MEM 12/4; MET 12/11].
Quoting B'Tselem data, HaAretz reports that Palestinians are prohibited from building on 68% of West Bank's 5.5 million dunums [HAA 12/3 in FBIS 12/5].
Israeli air force and navy confront "fishing vessel that appeared suspicious" off coast of Gaza; force it ashore and shoot dead 1 crew member who tries to flee; five others are detained [JDS 12/4 in FBIS 12/4; MEM 12/4].
At least 10 "anti-Israeli combatants" are killed in 2 incidents of fighting with IDF, SLA troops in S. Lebanon [IDF, AFP 12/3 in FBIS 12/4].
Heads of state of 12 EC countries end 2-day summit in Dublin, issue statement on Middle East opposing Israeli settlement policy, calling for international conference, and for strengthening trade links with O.T. [TDS 6/27 in FBIS 6/28; MEM 6/28].
Jean-Claude Amrie meets with 5 Palestinian academicians, is presented with 12- point memorandum outlining situation in O.T. [RMC 6/26 in FBIS 6/27].
Internal IDF paper recommends that chief of staff and defense establishment change criteria for reporting incidents in O.T. so that daily occurrences are more accurately portrayed [HAA 6/26 in FBIS 6/26].
Egypt's F.M. Esmat Abdel Meguid meets with Pres. Bush in Washington, no "breakthroughs" on peace process are reported, but U.S. interest in reviving process is affirmed [WP 6/28].
Bethlehem Mayor Elias Frayj meets with D.M. Moshe Arens to discuss situation in O.T. [JAA 6/26 in FBIS 6/28].
F.M. David Levy rejects Sec. Baker's formula for Israeli-Palestinian negotiation, echoes Shamir in saying talks cannot include deportees or E. Jerusalem residents [JPD 6/27 in FBIS 6/27].
B'Tselem issues report "Violence against Minors in Police Detention," which claims teenagers interrogated by police and Shin Bet agents are routinely beaten, chained in awkward positions or in "punishment cells" for hours at a time [JPD 6/26 in FBIS 6/27].
Syria rejects invitation from P.M. Shamir for Pres. Asad to go to Jerusalem for peace talks, calls the offer "a trick" [NYT 6/27].
In speech to UN Sec.Council in Geneva, Arafat urges that UN international force be sent to O.T. to protect Palestinians [NYT, LAT 5/26; RMC 5/25 in FBIS 5/29].
Socialist Intemational ends meeting in Cairo; Middle East statement for first time says establishment of Palestinian state is step toward Middle East peace. Israel's representative, Shimon Peres, does not vote [MENA 5/23 in FBIS 5/24; MEM 5/24; RPP 5/25 in FBIS 6/5].
U.S. Senate completes congressional action on bill containing $400 million in housing guarantees for Soviet Jews; no further vote is planned until admin. is satisfied money will not be used to settle immigrants beyond green line [MEM 5/25].
Gazans enter 5th day of curfew, many parts of W. Bank also remain under curfew; over 1 million Palestinians are confined to their homes [MEM 5/25].
Former IDF soldier, in uniform, shoots dead 7 Arabs, wounds 11 others near Rishon le Zion after taking away their ID cards as they were on their way to work; Shamir condemns attack [IDF, JDS 5/20 in FBIS 5/21; WP, LAT, NYT, WT, CSM, MEM 5/21; FJ 5/28; MET 5/ 29]; 8th person dies of wounds in hospital [IDF 5/20 in FBIS 5/21]; Arafat calls on international community to condemn attack, says he will rethink peace process [RMC 5/20 in FBIS 5/21]; disturbances erupt throughout O.T., at least 4 Palestinians are killed, reports say perhaps 700 injured [JDS, MENA 5/20 in FBIS 5/ 21; MET 5/29]; Gazan leaders refuse to meet with Civil Admin. officials to help calm tempers in Gaza; Gaza is placed under curfew [JDS 5/20 in FBIS 5/21]; leading Palestinians including Faisal Husayni, begin hunger strike to demand international protection for Palestinians [MEM 5/21; FJ 5/28].
In separate meetings in Cairo, Nelson Mandela meets with Arafat, Mubarak [MENA 5/20 in FBIS 5/21].
Israeli military announces it will allow Arab Medical College of al-Quds University to reopen on 5/30 [FJ 5/28].
Poland becomes 3d Warsaw Pact nation to renew full diplomatic ties with Israel, ending 23-year break [NYT 2/28].
D.M. Rabin says Israel is asking U.S. for compensation for U.S. supplying Egypt with surplus M-60 tanks [JDS 2/27 in FBIS 2/28].
Radan Abu-'Ayyash, head of E. Jerusalem Journalists Association, tells reporters that "according to new PLO strategy, the Palestinian right of return will be confined to the borders of the Palestinian state - the West Bank and Gaza Strip" [HAM 2/27 in FBIS 2/28].
PFLP in Damascus announces use of arms in O.T. has now become necessary [RMC 2/27 in FBIS 2/28].
Israeli military extends by 3 months closure order for 7 O.T. universities, now closed until end of May [WP 2/28; JDS 2/ 27 in FBIS 2/28; MET 3/13-19]; prompts student sit-ins throughout O.T. [NYT 2/ 28; HAA 2/28 in FBIS 3/1].
In a speech in Lusaka, Zambia, Nelson Mandela says that Yasir Arafat, who is in attendance, is fighting "a unique form of colonialism and we wish him success in his struggle" [NYT, LAT 2/28].
Jordan's King Hussein, noting U.S. abstention on 2/16 UN resolution against settlement, expresses concern that U.S. is reducing opposition to Israeli settlements in O.T. [WP 2/18; ADS 2/18 in FBIS 2/ 20].
Arab gov'ts. are reported divided over King Hussein's call for a summit meeting to discuss Soviet Jewish emigration to Israel; senior diplomats call summit premature and potentially harmful to Middle East peace process [NYT 2/18].
Yasir Arafat tells Peggy Say, sister of U.S. hostage Terry Anderson, he is doing his "very best" to win the release of American hostages in Lebanon [WP 2/18; LAT 2/19].
Jordan and Iraq are rumored to have formed ajoint air squadron; seen as costcutting measure for Jordanian air force (cf. 2/18, 2/19) [RMC 2/17 in FBIS 2/ 20].