The Palestine Chronology

Israeli ministerial team on FRD meets again, without Levy. (MM 1/6) (see 1/4)

U.S. special envoy Dennis Ross arrives in the Middle East, meets separately with Arafat, Netanyahu to prepare for individual mtgs. each will have with Pres. Clinton in Washington later this mo. (MM 1/6; IDF Radio 1/6 in WNC 1/7; CSM, MM, WP, WT 1/7; ITV 1/8 in WNC 1/11; JP 1/17)

In Paris, Pres. Chirac, PM Lionel Jospin, FM Vedrine discuss the peace process with Syrian VP `Abd al-Halim Khaddam, FM Shara`. (SANA 1/6 in WNC 1/7; Iraq Television Network 1/8 in WNC 1/12; MM 1/16)

Smithsonian removes cosponsor of its upcoming lecture series on Israel's 50th anniversary under pressure fr. conservative American Jewish groups (such as the American Jewish Comm., the Washington Institute for Near East Policy, the Zionist Organization of America) and Congressman Michael Forbes (R-NY), who claim that the tentative schedule (including speeches by 2 Likud reps.) reflects only the "biased," anti-Likud views of the series cosponsor, the New Israel Fund, a liberal philanthropic organization that supports reconciliation btwn. Arabs, Jews. (NYT, WP, WT 1/7; WJW 1/8; MEI 1/16)

WT reports Israel has returned to Egypt 100 boxes of artifacts unearthed by archaeologists in Sinai during Israeli occupation of region. Shipment is 2d since 1992 accord btwn. Egyptian and Israeli antiquities authorities. (WT 1/5)

IDF shoots dead lyad Hinnawi, 20, during disturbances at Jabaliya camp, Gaza. Witnesses say Hinnawi threw 1 stone before being shot. (Qol Yisra'el 1/5 in FBIS 1/6; MM, WT 1/6)

Bombs left at New York offices of New Israel Fund and Americans for Peace Now are defused by police. Notes with bombs signed by "David Maccabee Squad" accuse Rabin govt. of "selling out the Jewish people." (MM 1/5; WP 1/6; NYT 1/8; WJW 1/13)