The Palestine Chronology

In Amman, Netanyahu adviser Gold briefs King Hussein on diplomatic developments. The king urges Israel to implement agmts. signed with the Palestinians. (MA 9/24 in IL 9/24; MM 10/9)

After United Torah Judaism threatens to quit the Likud coalition unless housing problems of its ultraorthodox constituents are solved, PM Netanyahu promises that land will be unfrozen for the construction of an additional 580 apartments in Kiryat Sefer (above the 1,806 approved 9/18), additional 200 in Beitar (above the 900 previously approved). (ITV 9/24 in WNC 9/27; MM 9/25)

ILMG meets in Naqura to discuss Lebanon's complaints about Israel's recent attacks on the south, especially the 8/29 clash which killed 2 civilians. Lebanon also submits a complaint about Israel's expulsion fr. s. Lebanon of 2 Lebanese families 9/21. (RL 9/22, 9/23 in WNC 9/24; CSM 9/23) (see 9/1)

Fearing an IDF attack, Lebanese army sends reinforcements to the western Biqa` valley. (MBC, RL 9/22 in WNC 9/24; MM 9/23)

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)

In Tunis, the PLO Exec. Comm. approves Oslo II. (VOP 9/26 in FBIS 9/26; VOP 9/27 in FBIS 9/27)

PFLP-GC denounces the Oslo II agmt. (QPAR 9/26 in FBIS 9/27)

Libya gives all its 30,000 Palestinians 24 hrs. to evacuate their homes, arrive in camps in preparation for their expulsion; says it has already sent the 1st batch of 1,500 Palestinians to the Egyptian border. (AFP, VOP 9/26 in FBIS 9/27; MBC, MENA 9/26 in FBIS 9/28; WT 9/27; CSM, NYT 9/28; NYT 9/30) (see 9/20)

In s. Lebanon, 2 SLA soldiers are killed, several wounded when Hizballah detonates roadside bomb. (RL, VOL 9/26 in FBIS 9/26)

Israel issues 3,500 permits for Palestinian workers to enter Israel, raising total number to 18,500. Permits will go to married men over 30, tourism workers over 25. (QY 3/3 in FBIS 3/3; WP 3/4)

House Appropriations Comm. cuts debt forgiveness to Jordan to $50 m. fr. $275 m. PM Rabin calls Pres. Clinton to criticize move. Clinton condemns decision as threat to peace process, calls on Senate to overturn it; phones King Hussein to reassure him. (CSM, WT 3/3; RJ 3/7 in FBIS 3/8;  CSM 3/8; JP 3/11; WT 3/12; WJW 3/16; MEI 3/17; WSJ 3/24; NYT 3/29; MEI 3/31) (see 2/22)

Senate confirms Martin Indyk as 1st Jewish U.S. amb. to Israel "with no controversy." (WT 3/6)

PA arrests Shaykh Salama al-Safadi fr. Gaza's Filastin Mosque, Shaykh Ahman Nimr fr. Khan Yunis mosque for giving anti-PA sermons. (HA 3/5; AFP 3/6 in FBIS 3/6; MBC in FBIS 3/7)