The Palestine Chronology

IDF further eases restrictions on Gaza Strip as number of workers entering Israel grows substantially, still far short of normal 30,000/day. (MM 6/10)

Slain PLO leader Atif Basaysu is buried beside his mentor Salah Khalaf (Abu lyad) in Tunis, after Egypt reportedly turndown his mother's request that he be buried in Cairo. (MM 6/11)

Amid thousands of mourners, IDF troops force their way into Basaysu's home in Gaza, remove pictures from the walls. (MM 6/10)

U.S. amb. in Beirut Ryan Crocker announces U.S. will donate $3 million to help rebuild American University of Beirut's College Hall, which was destroyed ina car bomb attack 11/8/91. (MM 6/10)

Israel and China sign memo of understanding on economic relations in Beijing, prelude to a trade agreement to be signed when Chinese officials make reciprocal visit to Israel. (Qol Yisra'el 6/10 in FBIS 6/11)

Israeli officials warn that Iraqi missile attack could not stand without retaliation. Yet after telephone calls from Pres. Bush and Sec. Baker to P.M. Shamir, U.S. admin. says Israel will not retaliate for the time being. Saudi officials say Arab nations would face additional pressure if Israel entered fight, but probably would not desert coalition. More than 20 countries, including 13 in Europe, and UN Sec.-Gen. condemn Iraqi attack and urge Israeli restraint; USSR urges Israel and allied Arab nations to avoid turning war against Saddam into Arab-Israeli conflict [IDF, AFP, TET 1/18 in FBIS 1/81; NYT, LAT, WP 1/19; MEM 1/21; IDF 1/18 in FBIS 1/22].

Open elation in Jordan over missiles hitting Israel; some Tunisians, Syrians, and Lebanese also show support for Saddam's attack. PLO says attack represents "effective entry of Israel into the conflict" [MEM 1/18; LAT 1/19].

Allied warplanes mount hugh effort to destroy Iraq's remaining mobile SCUD missile launchers, partly in effort to keep Saddam Hussein from attacking Israel again. [NYT, LAT, WP 1/19; MEM 1/21].

U.S. Patriot anti-missile defense system destroys incoming Iraqi SCUD missile aimed at Saudi air base [NYT, LAT 1/19]; 2 SCUDs hit Tel Aviv [WP 1/19].

After 3d day of bombing, Baghdad is without electricity and telephone service, and is suffering severe shortage of water, according to Western media in Iraq [NYT, LAT, WP 1/19].

Jordan reopens its border with Iraq after 9 days, official says "we don't want anymore suffering" [JTE 1/19 in FBIS 1/22; LAT 1/19].

Officials say U.S. ambassador to Lebanon Ryan Crocker and his staff have flown to Cyprus, fearing anti-U.S. backlash in Beirut [LAT 1/19].

Jordanian lower house of parliament statement backs Iraq in Gulf war, brands U.S. as "Great Satan" [LAT 1/19].

Pres. Gorbachev sends letter to Saddam Hussein asking for Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait (cf. 1/21) [BADS 1/21 in FBIS 1/22].