The Palestine Chronology

In Paris, PM Barak discusses with Pres. Chirac the role of France, the EU in restarting the peace process. Chirac stresses that he has conveyed no messages btwn. Barak and Syrian pres. Asad, whose FM was in Paris on 9/18. (MM 9/22; AFP, France-Info Radio, LCI Television 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, NYT 9/23; MA 9/23 in WNC 9/26)

On the sidelines of the UNGA mtg. in New York, Secy. of State Albright holds a breakfast mtg. with Egyptian FM Musa to discuss the peace process, Iraq, bilateral ties; urges Egypt to take the lead in resuming multilateral talks now that Wye II has been signed and final status talks formally resumed. Egypt has not decided whether the time is right for multilateral working groups to restart mtgs. (MM 9/22; MENA 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, WT 9/23; MEI 10/1)

Later in the day, Albright meets with Syrian FM Shara` to discuss resuming Israeli-Syrian negotiations. (MM 9/22; MENA 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, WT 9/23; MM 9/24; RMC 9/25 in WNC 9/27; MEI 10/1)

This evening, Albright hosts a reception for Israeli FM Levy. 12 Arab, several EU reps. attend. Lebanese PM Huss, Syrian FM Shara` stay away. The U.S. and Russian cohosts urge attendees to resume multilateral talks regardless of the degree of progress in other negotiations. (MM 9/22; MENA 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, WT 9/23; MM 9/28; WJW 9/30; MEI 10/1, 10/29)

Jordan arrests 3 Hamas leaders (Abu Marzuq, Ghawshah, Mishal), 4 bodyguards on their return to Amman fr. Iran, charging them with membership in an illegal organization and possession of handguns. Abu Marzuq, a Yemeni-passport holder, is deported to the UAE, his point of departure for Jordan. (MM 9/22; AFP 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, NYT, WP 9/23; AFP, RMC 9/23 in WNC 9/26; CSM, MM 9/24; WT 9/26; MM 9/27; WJW 9/30; JP, MEI 10/1; NYT, WP 10/7; MEI 10/15) (see 9/13)

In s. Lebanon, a Lebanese soldier is killed, 6 are wounded by IDF shelling. (WP 9/23; RL 9/23 in WNC 9/26; WP 9/24)

In Paris, Arafat discusses statehood issue with French pres. Jacques Chirac. (AFP, LCI Television 3/22 in WNC 3/23; NYT 3/23)

Israel, Russia set up joint control body to supervise exports of sensitive Russian military technology to Iran. Russia hopes Israel, the PA will extend the interim period beyond 5/4. (MM 3/22; Interfax, ITAR-TASS 3/22 in WNC 3/23; Interfax 3/23 in WNC 3/24; WT 3/24; MM 3/25; Zerkalo Nedeli [Kiev] 3/27 in WNC 4/7)

Terry Anderson, the American journalist held hostage in Lebanon by Hizballah for more than 6 yrs., sues Iran for $100 m., claiming Tehran played a role in his imprisonment. Hizballah denies it kidnapped Anderson. (NYT, WP 3/23; WT 3/24; MM 4/9) (see 3/11/98, 8/27/98)

Netanyahu, ministerial team continue FRD discussions begun 12/3. (MM 12/4; WT 12/5; YA 12/5 in WNC 12/9)

Netanyahu arrives in Germany on 1st leg of European tour, meets with Chancellor Kohl. (MM 12/5; LCI Television [Paris] 12/5 in WNC 12/8; YA 12/7 in WNC 12/9; QY 12/12 in WNC 12/16)

Russian special envoy Posuvalyuk, Syrian FM Shara` meet in Damascus. (ITAR-TASS 12/5 in WNC 12/8; SATN 12/4 in WNC 12/9)

Israel's Peace Now says that in 1996, there were 4,700 births to settler families while the overall settler population grew by 13,000, meaning that almost 66% of settlement growth was "unnatural." (NYT 12/5)

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)