The Palestine Chronology

After a mtg. with PM Barak in Israel, U.S. Defense Secy. William Cohen says that plans for a U.S.-Israeli defense pact have been put on hold since the deal is contingent upon Israeli withdrawal fr. the Golan, which does not appear likely. Cohen also discusses Israel's planned sale of sophisticated U.S.-developed AWACS technology to China. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 4/4; WP 4/5; WJW 4/6; MM 4/10; WP 4/11)

Israeli Arab students at Haifa University stage a demonstration to protest the death of a woman during Land Day protests in Sakhnin on 3/31. (HA [Internet] 4/5)

To protest against sanctions on Iraq, an Italian plane carrying EU parliament mbr. Vittorio Sgarbi, an Italian journalist, and a French Catholic priest leaves Jordan's Amman airport and flies to Baghdad without UN permission. (MM 4/4, 4/7; JT 4/7 in WNC 4/11)

Turkey sends 1,000 troops into n. Iraq to hunt down Kurdish separatists, makes air strikes on Kurdish bases. Turkey has previously carried out spring campaigns against the separatists. Since 1,000s of troops, supported by mbrs. of Iraq's Kurdistan Democratic Party, began massing on the border with Iraq in 3/00, there have been a few crossborder skirmishes, but this is the 1st large incursion into Iraq. (NYT 4/4; WT 4/5; see also WP 3/27)

The U.S. names 7 of an estimated 90 Iraqi opposition groups [Iraqi National Accord, Iraqi National Congress, Islamic Movement of Iraqi Kurdistan, Kurdistan Democratic Party, the London-based Movement for Constitutional Monarchy, Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, the Iran-based Supreme Council for the Islamic Revolution in Iraq (SCIRI)] as the groups eligible to receive the $97 m. in assistance under the 10/31 Iraq Liberation Act (ILA). (WP 1/16; MM 1/21, 1/22; WT 1/26)

In New York, Secy. Albright meets with PM Netanyahu, Arafat, Egyptian FM Musa, Lebanese PM Hariri. Arafat, Musa also meet. (MENA, RL 9/26, MENA 9/27 in WNC 9/29; WT 9/28; MEI 10/2)

Turkey upgrades its diplomatic relations with Iraq to the ambassadorial level in response to a U.S.-backed agmt. btwn. the KDP, PUK (see 9/17), which it fears will encourage Kurdish separatists in Turkey. (ATL 9/26 in WNC 9/29; NYT, WT 9/27; MM 10/1; MIL 10/3 in WNC 10/14 MM 10/9)

In Maryland, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah meets with executives fr. 7 U.S. oil companies to discuss allowing them back into the kingdom for the 1st time since the Saudi oil industry was nationalized in 1973. (WP 9/30; MEI 10/2)

Iran resumes maneuvers on the border with Afghanistan. (WP, WT 9/27) (see 9/16)

U.S. envoy Ross holds mtg. in Gaza with Gaza PSF head Muhammad Dahlan; also meets with families of Palestinian prisoners, Palestinian businessmen. (HA [Internet] 9/18)

In a drive-by shooting nr. Beitunia in the West Bank, Jewish settler open fire on 12 Palestinian teenagers walking home fr. school, killing 1, injuring 2. 1 settler, Avshalomm Ladani, turns himself in to Israeli security. PA denounces Netanyahu for failing to condemn the attack. (HA [Internet], LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/18; WP 9/21; MM, WJW 9/24; MEI 10/2)

PM Netanyahu affirms plans to build 600 new homes in Yitzhar settlement, where 2 setters were killed 8/5. (MM 9/17; QY, YA 9/17 in WNC 9/18; MM, WT 9/18; PR 9/25; MEI 10/16) (see 8/26)

Israeli police evict 25 mbrs. of the Beitar youth movement, connected with PM Netanyahu's Likud party, fr. an encampment they set up at Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghunaym in East Jerusalem to demand faster settlement construction at the site. (MM 9/17; MEI 10/16)

As part of U.S. efforts to organize the Iraqi opposition, the State Dept. announces that it has brokered a settlement btwn. 2 rival Iraqi Kurdish groups, the Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK). The agmt. provides for elections next yr. to reestablish a regional assembly in n. Iraq, which could lead to creation of a Kurdish federation. (al-Rayah 9/17 in WNC 9/18; MM, NYT, WP 9/18; MM 9/21; ATL 9/23 in WNC 9/24; MED Television 9/23 in WNC 9/28; MM 9/25; MED Television 9/25 in WNC 9/29; ATL 9/30 in WNC 10/1; MM 10/1, 10/12; MEI 10/16)

PM Netanyahu says that he wants PA-Israeli negotiations to be expanded to include issues other than FRD. PA says that it entered the latest round of talks with the understanding that they would address 2 issues only: FRD, the PLO charter. No progress has been made in the talks thus far. (ITV 7/21 in WNC 7/23; WT 7/22)

Arafat, Israeli DM Mordechai separately consult Egypt's Pres. Mubarak regarding the latest round of negotiations. (MENA, RE 7/21 in WNC 7/23; WT 7/22; NYT 7/23)

EU special envoy Moratinos meets with Israeli FMin. officials. (WJW 7/23)

King Hussein announces that tests fr. his last visit to the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, MN, on 7/14 indicate that he has lymphatic cancer. (RJ 7/21, 7/22 in WNC 7/23, WT 7/22; RJ 7/22 in WNC 7/24; MM, WP 7/23; MEI 7/31)

At Rep. Gingrich's invitation, a PA delegation led by PC Speaker Qurai` arrives in Washington to meet with congressmen. This is the 1st time that Palestinian lawmakers have been invited to Capitol Hill since the PC was elected in 1/96. (WT 7/21; MM 7/23)

The Senate proposes same reductions in Egyptian, Israeli aid as the House did 7/15. Debates on the House and Senate versions will not be completed until 9/98 at the earliest. (WJW 7/23)

U.S. Principal Dep. Secy. of State for Near Eastern Affairs David Welch returns fr. leading delegation (including Turkish officials) on 5-day trip to n. Iraq to attempt to reconcile the Kurdistan Democratic Party, the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan. The U.S. hopes to unite the 2 groups to increase pressure on Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein. (GIU 7/17; MM 7/20, 7/30) (see 6/17)

Amal, Hizballah meet to discuss ways of coordinating their actions against the IDF, SLA in s. Lebanon. (RL 7/22 in WNC 7/23)

In s. Lebanon, an SLA convoy triggers a roadside bomb, killing 1 mbr., wounding 2. (VOL 7/21 in WNC 7/23) (see 5/10)

In Aqaba, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Jordan's King Hussein hold talks on the peace process. (RJ 5/24 in WNC 5/28; JT 6/5 in WNC 6/6)

In the 1st official criticism of corruption within the PA since self-rule began in 1994, a PA General Control Office (GCO) audit ordered by Arafat shows that the PA misused $326 m. in public funds in 1996, $223 m. thus far in 1997. (NYT, WP 5/25; MM 5/27; MM 6/4; CSM 6/18)

Israeli High Court rules that a sale of land in the Palestinian village of Silwan to the Jewish settler land acquisition company Elad was illegal, based on fraudulent documents; orders the property to revert to the Palestinian inheritors. (LAW 5/24)

Palestinian journalist Kuttab begins a hunger strike to protest his continued detention without charge. (WP, WT 5/25; WT 5/26; MM 5/27) (see 5/22)

Turkish military officials say that during the army's offensive into n. Iraq, 1,445 of the estimated 4,000 PKK mbrs. have been killed, 184 wounded, 121 captured. 10's of Turkish soldiers, at least 27 KDP mbrs. have also been killed. At least 25,000 and possibly more than 50,000 Turkish troops may now be in Iraq. (WP 5/26; AFP 6/13 in WNC 6/17) (see 5/20)

PM Netanyahu's personal atty. Yitzhak Molho (acting as the PM's special envoy), PA Local Government M Erakat meet in an attempt to create momentum for higher level mtg. No progress is made. (QY 5/20 in WNC 5/21)

In Doha, Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara` asks Qatari emir Shaykh Hamad Bin Khalifa al-Thani to suspend, or at least not invite Israel to, the Middle East and North Africa economic summit scheduled to open in Doha 11/16. The emir refuses but says it supports Syria's negotiating position. Shara` then leaves for Saudi Arabia to joint VP `Abd al-Halim Khaddam for similar talks with King Fahd. (MM 5/19, 5/21; al-Nahar 5/21 in WNC 5/23; al-Watan al-Arabi 5/30 in WNC 6/9)

Following rumors that the PM, FM are dissatisfied with his performance, Israeli amb. to the U.S. Ben-Elissar returns to Israel to meet with PM Netanyahu, FM Levy to "clarify his situation." (ITV 5/19 in WNC 5/22)

For the 1st time since 1981, when the border btwn. Syria and Iraq was closed, a private-sector delegation representing Syrian trade unions travels to Iraq to establish trade links. (RMC 5/19 in WNC 5/22; MM 5/20; SA 5/20 in WNC 5/21; MM 5/21, 5/22; RMC 5/22 in WNC 5/23; NYT 5/25; MM 5/28; SA 5/30 in WNC 6/2)

The pro-Iraqi Kurdish Democratic Party (KDP) joins forces with the Turkish military; attacks rival PKK offices in Irbil, killing 58 PKK mbrs., losing 53 men. (NYT 5/20) (see 5/17)

Lebanon's Constitutional Council voids the election of 4 parliamentary deputies, including a government minister; orders new elections for their seats; rejects the 15 other appeals submitted by defeated candidates after last summer's elections. (WP 5/20; RL 5/20 in WNC 5/21) (see 8/18/96)

To protests Israel's naval blockade of s. Lebanon, Amal attempts a suicide attack against an Israeli patrol boat off the Lebanese coast, blowing up its own boat but causing no Israeli injuries. (AFP 5/19 in WNC 5/22)

PISMC resumes mtg. (ITV 10/31 in WNC 11/10)

Israeli-PA joint patrols resume in Janin, Jericho. Qarni crossing point opens for entry of food, medical supplies fr. Israel; export of agricultural products fr. Gaza. Israel increases number of Palestinian merchants allowed into Israel fr. 100 to 500. (HA, QY 10/31 in IL 10/31; PR 11/8; JP 11/16)

Russian FM Primakov arrives in Israel; meets with PM Netanyahu, Pres. Weizman, FM Levy. (QY 10/31 in IL 10/31; ITV 10/31 in WNC 11/4; MM 11/1; HA 11/1 in IL 11/1; ITV 11/1 in WNC 11/5)

PM Netanyahu cancels mtg. with settler leaders planned for today after reports that such mtgs. have become regular weekly events. (IDF Radio 10/31 in WNC 11/1; MM 11/1) (see 10/27)

In Ankara, KDP, PUK sign truce, committing them to reconciliation aimed at reestablishing the power-sharing agmt. that collapsed in 1993 and which gave the KDP an upper hand in a coalition government in n. Iraq. (CSM, MM 11/1; MM 11/4) (see 10/30)

In Tel Aviv, Israel, PA reportedly reached basic understandings on civilian issues, but some security issues are still in dispute. (MM 10/31; HA, QY 10/31 in IL 10/31; YA 10/31 in WNC 10/31; ITV 10/31 in WNC 11/4)

Russian FM Primakov meets with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak in Sharm al-Shaykh. (Mayak Radio Network [Moscow] 10/30 in WNC 11/1)

In Ankara, KDP, PUK begin reconciliation talks. U.S. Asst. Secy. of State Pelletreau chairs the mtg.; Turkish, British officials attend. (MM, WT 10/30) (see 10/24)

PA-Israeli security, civil talks continue in Jerusalem, reportedly stick on issue of reopening al-Shuhada Street, 1 of the main streets in Hebron, to Palestinian traffic. Israel says this would be a security risk. (ITV 10/24, MA, YA 10/25 in WNC 10/29)

In Amman, French Pres. Chirac signs protocol granting Jordan $15 m. for water, medical, telecommunications, meteorological projects; leaves for Beirut. (MEI, MM, NYT 10/25; WT 10/27; JP 11/2)

Despite Netanyahu's refusal to declare a national day of mourning, a memorial service for fmr. PM Rabin is held at Mt. Herzl. PM Netanyahu attends but is asked by the Rabin family not to make a statement. (MM, WJW 10/24; CSM, NYT, WT 10/25; JP 11/2; MEI 11/8)

In n. Iraq, KDP, PUK halt fighting, adhere to U.S.-brokered cease-fire. (WT 10/25) (see 10/23)

PISMC draws up a "joint paper," compiling a list of 15 points of contention (reportedly incl. hot pursuit, opening of al-Shuhada Street, type of weapons to be carried by PA police, movement of joint patrols) that have not been solve in the past 3 wks. of talks. (MM 10/23; RJ 10/23 in WNC 10/25; NYT 10/24; IDF Radio 10/24 in WNC 10/25; ITV 10/24 in WNC 10/29)

In Ramallah, French Pres. Chirac becomes 1st foreign head of state to address the PC. Chirac then leaves for Amman to meet with King Hussein. (MM 10/23; JT, JTV, LCI 10/23 in WNC 10/25; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/24; MEI 10/25; NYT, WT 10/27; JP 11/2)

Knesset Financing Comm. approves funds needed to complete 2,400 housing units in West Bank settlements whose construction was frozen by the previous Labor government. (ITV 10/23 in WNC 10/25)

Fearing a suicide bombing on the 1-yr. anniversary of the assassination of Islamic Jihad leader Fathi Shiqaqi 10/26, Israel seals the West Bank, Gaza. Israeli police shoot, wound 1 Palestinian who walks away fr. a checkpoint btwn. Ramallah, Jerusalem after refusing to show his ID. (ITV 10/23 in WNC 10/25; WP 10/24; CSM 10/25; PR 11/1)

After a wk. of talks in Turkey, U.S. Asst. Secy. of State Pelletreau announces that the KDP, PUK have agreed in principle to an immediate cease-fire, although their fighting continues in Koi Sanjak. (CSM, NYT, WT 10/24) (see 10/17)

PA-Israeli talks on Hebron continue in Taba. Progress is made on municipal issues, hot pursuit, but talks stick on Israel's demand to establish buffer zones btwn. H1, H2 areas. (MM 10/17; QY 10/17 in IL 10/17; IDF Radio 10/17 in WNC 10/19; RMC 10/17 in WNC 10/22; WT 10/18) (see 10/16)

PM Netanyahu appoints Tourism M Qatzav as M for Israeli Arab affairs, a position canceled under the Labor government. (MA 10/18 in IL 10/18; JP 10/26)

In Washington, Secy. of State Christopher tells Lebanese PM Hariri that the time is not right for the U.S. to lift its travel ban on Lebanon. (MM 10/18)

KDP threatens to ask for Iraqi military support if PUK continues to press its offensive around the city of Salahudin. Meanwhile in Washington, Asst. Secy. of State Robert Pelletreau holds talks with KDP officials. UN officials in n. Iraq say that Iran is aiding the PUK logistically, but KDP reports of 1,000s of Iranian troops fighting along PUK mbrs. is exaggerated. (WP, WT 10/18) (see 10/16)

ILMG meets in Naqura to discuss Israel's 10/12 shelling of a Lebanese village. (MM 10/14; RL 10/14, HA 10/17 in IL 10/17)

Trying to avoid a 2d clash with Iraqi forces before the 11/5 elections, the U.S. urges the KDP, PUK to honor a cease-fire, hold peace negotiations in Washington. (NYT, WP, WT 10/15) (see 10/13)

In Ramallah, PA police arrest 5 Islamic Jihad mbrs. on suspicion of planning an anti-Israeli attack tomorrow, the 1st anniversary of leader Fathi Shiqaqi's assassination. (ITV 10/13 in WNC 10/17)

7 days into his 5-nation African tour, Secy. of State Christopher receives little support for the U.S. initiative to prevent UN Secy. Gen. Butros-Ghali's reelection. Only Rwanda has publicly backed the idea. (WT 10/14) (see 10/7)

Israel admits that Hizballah fire which preceded 10/12 shelling of s. Lebanese village did not come fr. nr. the area hit. (WT 10/16)

After 3 days of fighting, PUK retakes Sulaymaniyya in n. Iraq. The PUK has recouped much of the territory lost to the KDP since 8/31. (MM, NYT, WP 10/14) (see 9/9, 9/20)

In Paris, Israeli FM Levy discusses peace process with Pres. Chirac, FM Hervé de Charette. (France-Inter Radio Network [Paris], ITV 9/10 in WNC 9/12; MM 9/11)

In New York, Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with mbrs. of the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations, visits Lubavitcher Hasidic spiritual leader Rebbe Menachem Schneerson's grave. (ITV 9/10 in WNC 9/12; MM 9/11; MA 9/11 in WNC 9/13; WJW 9/12, 9/19)

In implementation of cabinet decision 8/2, IDF Central Commander Maj. Gen Uzi Dayan signs order setting procedures for authorization of settlement construction, expansion in the West Bank, Gaza. The order requires local planning comms. to obtain permission of DM Yitzhak Mordechai at every stage of most construction projects. Settlers term procedures needlessly cumbersome. (HA 9/11 in IL 9/11)

Israel's Prime Minster's Office announces new "Israel 2000" program intended to make development towns and regions economically self-sufficient. Program will be implemented in 19 communities. Residents will be given housing subsidies, loans, stipends; municipal boundaries of these locations will be expanded. (HA 9/11 in IL 9/11)

In Hebron, Jewish settlers break into 4 Palestinians stores, confiscate their goods, occupy them. The IDF sealed the stores in the city center after the al-Ibrahimi mosque massacre in 2/94. (PR 9/20)

South Africa says it will not renew existing defense, economic contracts with Israel; though relations remain good, South Africa is adjusting to a peacetime domestic economy. (IDF Radio 9/10 in WNC 9/12)

Jordanian officials release al-Ahali editor Usama al-Rantisi after he is charged with "publishing material deemed as instigating public disorder" during the 8/16-17 riots. The 4 al-Bilad journalists detained 8/20, 1 fr. al-Majd, another fr. al-Aswaq are still in custody awaiting trial. ASB Secy. Gen. Tayseer Homsi is arrested for alleged involvement in the riots. (MM 9/11; JT 9/11 in WNC 9/12)

Jordanian Muslim Brotherhood (JMB) denounces self-described "West Bank JMB official" Sa'id Bilal for requesting that the PA license, and thereby legalize, JMB activities in the self-rule areas; says Bilal is not a JMB mbr. Hamas concurs, claims attempts to form a JMB branch in the territories is an attempt by the PA to divide the Islamist opposition. (al-Ra'i 9/10 in WNC 9/12; VIRI 9/16 in WNC 9/18)

U.S. publicly redefines its strategic interest in Iraq for the 1st time in 5 yrs., saying it is interested solely in containing Saddam Hussein's military operations nr. the Kuwaiti, Saudi oil fields, rather than curbing his influence in n. Iraq and assuring humanitarian aid to the Kurds. (NYT, WP 9/11) (see 9/9)

Iraqi delegation arrives in Ankara for 2 days of talks with PM Erbakan, FM Ciller regarding bilateral relations, establishment of "security zone" in n. Iraq. Iraq proposes instead that Turkey conclude a border security arrangement with the KDP to prevent PKK mbrs. fr. crossing into Turkey. (MM 9/10; INA [Baghdad], TDN 9/11 in WNC 9/13; Milliyet [Istanbul] 9/12 in WNC 9/17 MEI 9/20) (see 9/6)

In Jericho, PISMC meets for the 1st time since Netanyahu's election. (MM 9/9; QY 9/9 in IL 9/9; IDF Radio 9/9 in WNC 9/12; CSM 9/10; WJW 9/12)

In Washington, Israeli PM Netanyahu meets with Pres. Clinton, Secy. of State Christopher, Defense Secy. William Perry; rejects U.S. calls for redeployment in Hebron. U.S. urges Israeli to ease up on the Palestinians, issue more workers' visas. (MM 9/9; HA, MA 9/9 in IL 9/9; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/10; WJW 9/12; MEI 9/20) (see 9/8)

KDP forces allied with Saddam Hussein take control of Sulaymaniyya in n. Iraq, capture key hydroelectric dam, force 1,000s of Kurds to flee toward the Iranian border. U.S. makes clear it has no intention of aiding the 200 INC mbrs. stranded in the Kurdish enclave; says it gave them ample warning of the attack on Irbil, time to evacuate. (MM 9/9; CSM, MM, WP, WT 9/10; MEI 9/20) (see 9/8)

As right-wing Jews stunned by Netanyahu-Arafat mtg. protest outside the PM's office, Netanyahu faces hecklers in the Knesset who also oppose the mtg.; tells MKs meeting Arafat "wasn't easy" but he will fire fr. his cabinet any M who can't accept it; also announces he has directed the Finance Ministry to permit the sale, occupation of 3,000 housing units in West Bank settlements kept vacant by the Labor government since 1992. (MM 9/5; ITV 9/5 in WNC 9/9, WNC 9/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/6; JT 9/8 in WNC 9/10; YA 9/8 in WNC 9/12; WJW 9/12; JP 9/14)

Jordanian government announces it will try 145 persons in connections with 8/96 bread riots. (NYT 9/6)

Turkey sends planes to bomb the Turkish separatist Kurdish Worker Party (PKK) in n. Iraq; announces plans to create a 10-km. wide "security zone" in the Kurdish enclave, similar to Israel's self-declared security zone in s. Lebanon. In Irbil, KDP forces attack PUK outposts to secure their hold in the city. In s. Iraq, U.S. begins to patrol expanded no-fly zone. France, which helps patrol the original no-fly zone, refuses to send planes above the 32d parallel (see 9/3). (MM 9/5; TDN 9/5 in WNC 9/6; al-Ra'i 9/5 in WNC 9/9; NYT, WP, WT 9/6; al-Dustur, VIRI 9/7 in WNC 9/10) (see 8/17, 9/4)

PA, Israeli officials meet to try to schedule resumption of negotiations; mtg. btwn. Arafat, Netanyahu. (IDF Radio, ITV 9/1 in WNC 9/4; NYT, WP, WT 9/2; JP 9/7)

30,000-40,000 Iraqi troops seize Irbil, the largest town in the Kurdish zone. Heavy fighting is reported. PM Tariq Aziz says troops will pullout immediately after securing KDP head Massoud Barzani's control of the city, ousting PUK puts forces in the region on high alert. (NYT, WP, WT 9/1; MM, WP, WT 9/2; MEI 9/6) (see 8/30)

Palestinians observer 4-hr. general strike in West Bank, Gaza, East Jerusalem. (MM 8/29; CSM, NYT, PR, WP, WT 8/30; MEI 9/6)

To dispel tensions with the PA, Israeli PM Netanyahu dispatches his personal atty. Yitzhak Molho to meet with Arafat in Ramallah; authorizes adviser Gold to meet later in day with Arafat adviser Abbas. Senior Israeli negotiator IDF chief of staff Lt. Gen. Dan Shomron holds 1-hr. talk with PA counterpart PA Local Government M Saeb Erakat in Jerusalem, agrees to resume PISMC mtgs. next wk. (RMC 8/29 in WNC 8/30; NYT, WP, WT 8/30; MBC 8/30 in WNC 9/4; MM 9/2)

In Rome, Egypt's Baz, Italy's FM Lamberto Dini discuss peace process, 8/27-28 mtgs. in Paris. (RE 8/29 in WNC 9/3)

Israeli government approves construction of 2,000 new housing units in West Bank settlements around Jerusalem. (CSM, WP 8/30)

Deputy Jerusalem Mayor Shmuel Meir says the government has issued demolition orders for 70 Palestinian homes in the city that have been constructed without permits. (YA 8/30 in WNC 9/5; PR 9/6)

Israel blames Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) for shooting at bus 8/28, arrests 1 suspect. (HA 8/29 in IL 8/29)

Jordanian police raid JPD headquarters in Karak, arrest a number of party leaders. (SATN 8/29 in WNC 9/3) (see 8/18)

Hizballah ambushes IDF patrol in s. Lebanon, killing 1 soldier. Both sides then exchange gunfire, wounding 2 Lebanese civilians. (RL 8/29 in WNC 9/3; MM 8/30; QY 8/30 in IL 8/30; JP 9/7)

U.S.-brokered cease-fire goes into effect in n. Iraq. PUK, KDP agree to hold peace talks in London 8/30. (MM 8/29) (see 8/28)

On his way fr. Gaza to the weekly PC session in Ramallah, Arafat's helicopter is forced to hover for 45 mins. before being permitted to land. At the PC, Arafat accuses Israel of "declaring a state of war against the Palestinian people," rejects U.S. appeal for an Abbas-Gold meeting. For 1st time since 1993, he calls for 1-day general strike 8/29, prayer rally in Jerusalem's al-Aqsa Mosque for 8/30. PM Netanyahu warns Arafat against an escalation of rhetoric, violence. (MM 8/28; ITV 8/28 in WNC 8/30; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/29; ITV 9/2 in WNC 9/4)

UN Coordinator Larsen leaves Paris for Israel immediately after Arafat speech to attempt to "serious crisis" btwn. PA, Israel. (WP 8/29)

Israel, Turkey sign defense industry deal, stepping up military cooperation. Agmt. includes technology exchanges, is expected to pave way for $650-m. deal for Israel to overhaul 54 Turkish F-4 Phantom jets. Iran expresses concern. (CSM, MM, WP 8/29; VIRI 8/29, TDN 8/30 in WNC 9/3; VIRI 8/29 in WNC 9/4; RJ 9/4 in WNC 9/6 JP 9/7)

In Tulkarm, IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian homes built without permits. (PR 9/6)

Israeli police release Human Rights Watch employee Tarabiyya, arrested 8/19. (IDF Radio 8/28 in WNC 8/30; JP 9/7)

Unidentified gunmen open fire on an Israeli bus traveling on a Israeli-only bypass road to the Jewish settlement of Kiryat Arba in the West Bank, slightly wounding 2. (MM, NYT, WP 8/29; MA 8/30 in WNC 9/5)

Israeli police arrest 3 Palestinians who pitch tents at site of clinic in East Jerusalem which was demolished 8/27. (WT 8/29)

Amal attacks 2 SLA patrols in s. Lebanon, killing 1 soldier, wounding 5. (RL 8/28 in WNC 8/30)

Iran, Turkey connect electricity grids in keeping with agmt. signed by Turkish PM Erbakan during his 8/11-13 visit. (VIRI 8/18 in WNC 9/3)

In n. Iraq, KDP, PUK fighting intensifies, with the PUK gaining the upper hand. Iran calls for talks to end fighting, is generally seen as being the winner of the current crisis. (MM 8/27) (see 8/25)

In response to a letter fr. Arafat asking him to "save the peace process," Israeli Pres. Ezer Weizman invites Arafat to meet him in Israel, says he would postpone mtg. if PM Netanyahu agreed to meet Arafat himself within 10 days. PM Netanyahu reluctantly endorses Weizman-Arafat mtg., says he will meet with Arafat soon. (CSM, NYT, WP 8/26; WT 8/28; WJW 8/29; MM, PR 8/30; JP 8/31; MM 9/2; MEI 9/6; JP 9/7)

In Amman, Japanese FM Ikeda signs memorandum of understanding with Jordan under which Japan will grant Jordan $7 m. to finance building new King Hussein bridge, travelers terminal once the sovereignty/legal status of West Bank has been determined. Japan has given Jordan $340 m. in aid, loans in the past yr. (RJ 8/25 in WNC 8/29; JT 9/14 in WNC 9/19)

Israel moves first 11 of 298 mobile homes into 2 West Bank settlements. (WP 8/26; PR 8/30)

2d round of Lebanese voting is held in n. Lebanon. Observers report sharp drop in electoral abuses after opposition charged widespread fraud in 1st round 8/18. Hizballah does not run a slate; all 4 al-Jama` al-Islamiyya candidates are defeated. Most of the 28 elected are progovernment, although the 1 Syrian Ba'th party candidate loses. (CSM 8/26; MM 8/28; RL 8/28 in WNC 8/30; MEI 9/6)

As Kurdish fighting in n. Iraq enters its 9th day, Baghdad comes out in support of KDP, accuses Iran of manipulating the PUK to destabilize the north. (MM 8/27) (see 8/22)

PA confirms that Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas met today with Netanyahu adviser Dore Gold in Tel Aviv to discuss resumption of Palestinian-Israeli Steering and Monitoring Committee (PISMC) meetings. (MM 8/23)

Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak says Cairo Economic Summit scheduled for 11/96 may be canceled if conditions of the peace process do not improve by then. (HA 8/23 in IL 8/23; RE 8/23 in WNC 8/27; NYT, WP 8/26; MEI 9/6)

 Arafat complains that Israel delays for 3 hrs. permission for him to fly his helicopter fr. Gaza to the West Bank to meet with fmr. PM Shimon Peres; cancels Israeli-PA mtg. on civilian affairs in protest. Peres ends up mtg. Arafat in Gaza. PM Netanyahu says Peres is undermining the government's peace process by mtg. with Arab leaders while in the opposition. (CSM 8/22; IDF Radio 8/22 in WNC 8/24; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 8/23; PR 8/30; MEI 9/6) (see 8/20)

PM Netanyahu decides not to establish national security council as originally proposed 6/19. Instead, a small team of advisers will be set up. David Ivri, who was to have headed the council, will stay on in his position as DMin. dir. gen. (HA 8/23 in IL 8/23; JP 8/31)

Jordanian government rejects request by 11 opposition parties to hold a demonstration in Amman 8/23 against abolition of the bread subsidy. (Star [Aman] 8/22 in WNC 8/27)

Turkey announces that it will continue to improve its relations with Libya despite U.S. legislation enacted 8/5. Turkey hopes to collect $350 m. owed by Libya to Turkish contractors. (Sabah [Istanbul] 8/22 in WNC 8/30; Turkiye 9/29 in WNC 10/2)

In n. Iraq, KDP-PUK fighting is in its 6th day. U.S. calls for a cease-fire. (MM 8/22) (see 8/17)

In 2d day of bread riots in Jordan, demonstrations spread fr. Karak to Amman, Ma'an, Tafila, where 1,000s of protesters clash violently with police, burn buildings. King Hussein visits Karak, blames Iraq for instigating the protests. Iraq denies the accusation. (JTV, RJ 8/17, MBC 8/18 in WNC 8/21; RMC 8/17, 8/18 in WNC 8/22; NYT, WP, WT 8/18; JT 8/18 in WNC 8/22; CSM, MM 8/19; MEI 9/6)

In Hebron, IDF arrests 19 mbrs. of the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) for having knowledge of armed attacks in Israel. (PR 8/23)

In Alexandria, Pres. Mubarak, Kuwaiti heir apparent Shaykh Sa`d Abdullah al-Sabah discuss peace process, implementing decisions taken at Arab Summit 6/22-23. (RE 8/19 in WNC 8/22)

Syrian PM Mahmud al-Zu'bi arrives in Tehran with delegation for 3-days of talks on political, economic, cultural, technical relations with Iranian officials. Syrian, Iranian Trade Ms discuss expanding economic ties. (VIRI 8/17, IRIB Television [Tehran] 8/18 in WNC 8/21; IRNA 8/18 in WNC 8/22; Tehran Times 8/18 in WNC 8/29; MM 8/19; CSM 8/23)

Israel fortifies IDF, SLA positions in s. Lebanon. (RL 8/17 in WNC 8/21)

Worst fighting since 1995 erupts btwn. rival Kurdish factions, the Kurdistan Democratic Party (KDP) and the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan (PUK), in n. Iraq. At issue are border trade with Turkey (currently worth $250,000/day in tariffs) and informal taxes, which are expected to increase dramatically when the 5/20 UN oil-for-food deal goes into effect in 9/96; control of the provincial administrative center of Irbil, considered the capital of Kurdish Iraq. The PUK accuses the KDP of collaborating with the Saddam Hussein government, initiating clashes. KDP accuses Iran of backing the PUK, starting the fighting. (MM 8/19, 8/20, 8/27)