The Palestine Chronology

The PA rejects Israel's offer to partially implement the expired Wye agmt. by opening the open s. safe passage route, releasing more criminal prisoners; says that any proposal for partial implementation must include transfer of land. (NYT, WP 2/26)

In a 1-hr. trial, PA military court finds Palestinian Col. Ahmad Abu Mustafa guilty of kidnapping, raping a 6-yr.-old boy; sentences him to death for "inciting the public against the Palestinian Authority." 2,000 Palestinians stage demonstration in Gaza to demand Abu Mustafa's punishment. (NYT 2/26; NYT, WT, WP 2/27; PR 3/5; MEI 3/12)

Bashar al-Asad, son of Syrian pres. Hafiz al-Asad, goes to Amman to offer condolences to King Abdallah on the passing of King Hussein. (MM 2/26)

Israeli High Court rules (3-2) that American Samuel Sheinbein, charged committing murder in the U.S. in 9/97, is a citizen of Israel, cannot be extradited, will be tried in Israel. The decision reverses a lower court judgement that Sheinbein did not qualify for automatic citizenship through his father, who was born in Mandated Palestine. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/26; WJW 3/4; JP 3/5) (see 9/5/98)

Saudi businessman Salih Idris, whose pharmaceutical plant in Sudan was bombed by the U.S. in 8/98 for allegedly housing chemical weapons for Saudi dissident Osama Bin Laden, files suit against the U.S. Treasury Dept. for freezing his London assets without formally declaring him linked to a designated terrorist, as the law demands. The U.S. has never given proof of Idris's ties to Bin Laden. (WP 2/26; WT 2/27; see also WP, WT 2/4)

Turkish officials allow 2 lawyers for Ocalan to see the jailed PKK leader for the 1st time. The mtg. lasts 20 minutes; jailers confine the discussion to Ocalan's health, forbid discussion of his case. Afterward, 1 lawyer is arrested for maintaining ties to the PKK. The other, Ahmet Zeki Okcuoglu, quits, saying his life is in danger. (NYT, WT 2/27)

Rockets are fired fr. s. Lebanon into n. Israel, damaging a house but causing no injuries. Israel blames Hizballah, which denies responsibility. (AFP 2/28 in WNC 3/1; MM 3/1)

In talks in New York mediated by Secy. of State Albright mediating, Israel, PA agree to resume joint subcomm. talks 10/6; to meet in Washington 10/13. Albright also meets with Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara`. (MM 9/29; MM, NYT, WP 9/30; ITV 9/30 in WNC 10/2; IDF Radio 9/30 in WNC 10/1)

Israel says it will not agree to a U.S. request to extradite American teenager Samuel Sheinbein, wanted for murder in Maryland; will try the case in Israeli court. Sheinbein's father, who was born in Madate Palestine in 1944 and left Israel in 1950, holds dual U.S.-Israeli citizenship, meaning--Israel says--that his son is automatically an Israeli citizen and by law cannot be extradited. (WP, WT 9/30; NYT, WP, WT 10/1; WJW 10/2; IGPO 10/9 in WNC 10/10; JP 10/18)

Iranian warplanes hit Mujahidin al-Khalq camps inside Iraq, injuring 2 Iraqi civilians. Mujahidin al-Khalq is an exiled Iranian group adovcating the armed overthrow of Iran's Islamic government. (WP, WT 9/30; MEI 10/10)

In s. Lebanon, an IDF intelligence officer is killed in clash with Hizballah. (MM 9/30)