The Palestine Chronology

In Washington, Jordan's King Hussein, Pres. Clinton discuss peace process, Iraq, Jordanian economy. (JTV 1/5 in WNC 1/7; WT 1/6; al-Dustur 1/7 in WNC 1/8)

Confidants say that UN Secy. Gen. Annan has received convincing evidence that UNSCOM inspectors collected eavesdropping intelligence used in U.S. efforts to overthrow the Iraqi regime, is concerned it could undermine UN credibility. UNSCOM head Butler denies the reports. (WP 1/6; MM 1/7)

Kuwait's Dep. PM Shaykh Sa'd al-Abdallah al-Sabah visits Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan; says Jordanian-Kuwaiti ties are developing, Jordan's emb. in Kuwait City may reopen soon. (MM 1/5; RJ 1/5 in WNC 1/6; RJ 1/5 in WNC 1/7; MM 1/6; al-Dustur, al-Ra'i 1/7 in WNC 1/8; SA 1/9, 1/13 in WNC 1/14)

Jordan's governor of Irbid bans planned pro-Iraq rally. (al-Dustur 1/6 in WNC 1/7)

In 2 separate incidents, Iraqi planes challenge U.S. planes in the s. no-fly zone but do not shoot. U.S. fires on the 4 planes but misses. (GIU, NYT, WT, WP 1/6; CSM 1/7)

An IDF soldier is seriously wounded in s. Lebanon by a Hizballah remote-controlled bomb. (MM 1/6)

Palestinian-Israeli Supreme Liaison Comm. meets at Erez checkpoint, agrees that Palestinians who visit Gaza fr. abroad may now stay for 7 mos. (as opposed to 3 mos. previously). (QY 1/16 in FBIS 1/17)

Jordanian-Israeli joint comms. on security, transportation, trade, water meet in Jordan to discuss implementation of treaty, following mtg. btwn. King Hussein, PM Rabin 1/13. (JTV 1/15 in FBIS 1/18)

IDF makes 13 air strikes against PFLP-GC camps 10 miles south of Beirut, Lebanon, killing 3 Lebanese, wounding 4, forcing temporary closure of Beirut airport. (IDF Radio, QPAR, VOL 1/15 in FBIS 1/17; MM, NYT, WT 1/16; MEI 1/20)

Jordan, Israel agree to build railroad linking Irbid, Haifa and Aqaba, Elat. EU will help finance construction. (QY 1/15 in FBIS 1/18; MM 1/16)

House Speaker Gingrich, on visit to Israel, says he "strongly favor[s]" moving U.S. embassy fr. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem, says "it's the right of Israel to define its capital, and we as an ally should . . . be responsive." State Dept. rejects idea. (MM 1/16; WT 1/16, 1/17; VOP 1/18 in FBIS 1/18)

PM Rabin orders all construction in o.t. to be suspended for 1 wk., until cabinet can meet to discuss settlements 1/22. (QY 1/15 in FBIS 1/17)

In Safa, West Bank, Palestinians plant 100s of trees to prevent land's confiscation for expansion of Kfar Rut, Maccabbim settlements. Similar plantings are held across West Bank. PA says Israel has confiscated 27 sq. mi. of land since signing of DOP; PM Rabin admits 450 acres have been taken to build bypass roads for settlers. (NYT 1/16; MEI 1/20)