The Palestine Chronology

U.S. accuses Iraq of releasing millions of gallons of Kuwaiti crude oil into Gulf; officials say it will have little military significance, but threatens ecology on scale larger than Exxon Valdez disaster. Pres. Bush says spill is "sick" act of desperation, orders Pentagon to find way to stop leak [WAKH 1/26 in FBIS 1/28; NYT, LAT 1/26].

Iraqi SCUD missile hits Riyadh, killing 1 person and wounding 6; 7 missiles are fired at Israel, all are reportedly intercepted by Patriot missiles, but falling debris kills 1 and injures 42 others [RIDS, JAA, IDF 1/25 in FBIS 1/28; NYT, LAT 1/26].

New York Times reports that Pan American World Airways has refused to carry Iraqi passengers since 1/16, for fear of terrorism like that which destroyed Pan Am flight over Lockerbie 2 years ago [NYT 1/26].

Iranian Pres. Rafsanjani restates neutrality in Gulf war; strongly rejects idea that Iran join with Iraq, saying that would be suicide and would mean Iran approved of Iraq remaining in Kuwait [NYT 1/26].

Soviet F.M. Alexander Bessmertnykh meets with members of PLO Executive Committee to explore ways to end Gulf war [LAT 1/26].

EC lifts all restrictions on Israel because of its restraint under Iraqi missile attack; restrictions were imposed in January 1990 to protest closure of Palestinian schools [MEM 1/25].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: F.M. Shamir says he will never concede territories in exchange for peace. Survey shows 45,000 settlers are now in occupied territories among 1.3 million Palestinians (MEI 9/14).

Arab World: At Tunis press conference, PLO Deputy Chairman Abu lyad says PLO opposes terrorist acts, individual and state-sponsored, following Karachi and Istanbul incidents (FJ 9/12). U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Murphy in Damascus for talks with Syrian President al-Asad; Asad stresses importance of international conference (MEI 9/14). Syria has ordered most of Abu Nidal's group in Damascus to leave, and detained 14 (including Abu Nidal's nephew 'Abd al-Karim al-Banna, who was released after two weeks following Libyan intervention), according to al-Ittihad (Abu Dhabi) (AFP 9/7).

Other Countries: Nonaligned movement conference in Hararends; accuses U.S. of ''state terrorism" in bombing of Libya; calls on U.S. to "end unprovoked aggression against Libyas well as military maneuvers in Gulf of Sidra (NYT 9/8). Pakistan's President Zia al-Haq says Pan Am terrorists have no apparent connection to any government; will be tried in Pakistan (under threat of death penalty); says Palestinian hijacking in Pakistan showed "bad taste" but would not reduce Pakistan's support for Palestinian cause (NYT 9/8).

Military Action

Arab World: Israel Navy reimposes blockade of port of Sidon; intercepts three commercial vessels, prevents them from entering port. State of emergency declared in Palestinian camps near Sidon for fear of Israeli attack (FBIS 9/8).