The Palestine Chronology

In Ramallah, PA, Israeli teams start talks on a framework agmt. on final status. Mtg. focuses on procedures for future talks, which will be held 2-3 times per wk., alternating btwn. Jerusalem, Ramallah. (MM 11/8; AFP 11/8 in WNC 11/9; al-Quds 11/8, 11/9 in WNC 11/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/9; ITAR-TASS 11/10 in WNC 11/12; MEI 11/12)

In Paris, Arafat holds separate mtgs. on the peace process with French pres. Chirac, Egyptian pres. Mubarak. PM Barak discusses Syrian track with French PM Jospin. Arafat, Barak are in France to attend the 21st congress of the Socialist International. (MM 11/8; AFP, MENA 11/8 in WNC 11/9)

Israel's Atomic Energy Commission, which rarely makes public statements, releases a announcement saying "an employee died in a 12-foot fall while preparing scaffolding for a welding job at the nuclear research center [Dimona] in the Negev." The agency may have been seeking to prevent speculation about the cause of death. (NYT 11/9)

Jordan arrests leading Hamas activist `Abd al-Aziz Umary (also known as Izzat Rushuq), the 22d Hamas mbr. to be detained since the government crackdown began in 8/99; 2 other individuals are arrested, released on $5,000 bail each for "harboring" Umary. Hamas considers the arrests an escalation of hostilities. (MM, WP, WT 11/10; JT 11/10 in WNC 11/12; NYT 11/11; DUS 11/12 in WNC 11/15)

In Cairo, PCC, Arab League comms. hold consulations on drafting a Palestinian constitution. (MENA 6/6 in WNC 6/10; al-Quds 6/6 in WNC 6/11)

PM-elect Barak says he is having trouble forming a broad-based coalition because of Likud demands that he continue settlement expansion. Under draft guidelines for a coalition government, no new settlements would be established, no existing settlements would be dismantled, settlements would not enjoy preferred status. (CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/7; MEI 6/18)

In Cairo, Egyptian-Palestinian joint comm. open 2 days of talks on the peace process; sign agmts. on cultural, economic, trade, technical cooperation. (MENA 6/7 in WNC 6/9)

In Amman, Jordanian, Syrian officials discuss transportation cooperation. (RJ 6/6 in WNC 6/10)

In signs that a political settlement to Algeria's 7-yr.-old conflict btwn. Muslim guerrillas and the government may be at hand, newly elected (4/99) Pres. `Abd al-`Aziz Bouteflika announces plans to offer amnesty to fighters, supporters of the Islamic Salvation Front (FIS); formally endorses a truce declared by FIS in 10/97. In response, FIS's military wing says is will end its armed struggle against the state. (MM 6/7)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Political activist Mubarak 'Awad announces he will not comply with Israeli order to leave the country by 11/20 [FJ 11/22]. Israeli High Court urges formation of committee to investigate conditions at al-Far'ah Prison [FJ 11/22]. High Court hears Arab Studies Society head Faysal Husayni's appeal against his administrative detention order [FJ 11/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli troops surround Gaza Islamic U., where students suspend classes in protest against 'Abd al-'Aziz 'Awdah's arrest and expulsion order. At other schools in Gaza City, Khan Yunis, and Rafah, soldiers use tear gas and live ammunition to disperse stone-throwing demonstrators. Demonstrations are also reported at Bayt Lahya and Jabalya refugee camps [FJ 11/22].