The Palestine Chronology

IDF declares Nablus area a closed military zone, begins final redeployment 6 days ahead of schedule. IDF arrests 13 yeshiva students who refuse to leave Joseph's tomb, inside the closed zone; 40 others settlers who arrive at the tomb to confront the IDF are detained. After withdraw, Jewish settlers who attend yeshiva in the city will continue to receive IDF protection. (IL, NYT, WP 12/12; QY 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; CSM 12/13; MEI 12/15)

Pres. Clinton holds positive telephone conversation with Pres. Asad, then meets with PM Peres. Peres asks for assurances that money fr. its $3 b. 1996 aid package will be received by 1/1/96 even if the foreign aid bill has not been passed (aid for FY 1996 was to begin 10/95); gives Clinton a letter, asking for Pollard's release (see 11/21). (ITV, QY, SARR 12/11, QY 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/12; MM 12/13; MA, SARR 12/13 in FBIS 12/13; WJW 12/14; MM 12/15; HA 12/15 in FBIS 12/15; CSM 1/4; WJW 1/18)

Israel Amb. to the U.S. and chief negotiator with Syria Rabinovitch says Israel is ready to make unspecified "significant concessions" to Syria. (WT 12/12)

In Paris, PA, France sign $15-m. cooperation agmt. (VOP 12/11, 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; PR 12/29)

PA announces creation of National Dialogue Office (NDO) to be headed by fmr. Hamas mbr. Faluji. At the same time, Faluji announces the indefinite closure of al-Watan. NDO will promote dialogue btwn. the PA, other political, social forces amid recognition of the "changed reality" following fr. the Oslo process. (HA 12/12 in FBIS 12/14)

In Gaza, Arafat, Hamas delegation meet to discuss of Hamas-PA talks on elections scheduled for 12/18-21 in Cairo. (VOP 12/12 in FBIS 12/12)

In Gaza, Arafat discusses joint ventures opportunities with Poland's Construction M Barbara Blida, delegation of Polish businessmen. (VOP 12/11 in FBIS 12/12)

Syria grants special amnesty to fmr. secy. gen. of Syria's Muslim Brotherhood `Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah, allowing him to return to Damascus after 16-yrs. exile. (RMC 12/11 in FBIS 12/11; MM 12/14) (see 11/30)

In Cairo, PA, Israel open 4-day mtg. on transfer of authority. Subcommittees will focus on communications, electricity, water. (MENA 7/6 in FBIS 7/6; MENA 7/11 in FBIS 7/11)

PA says Economics M Qurai`, Israel's FM Dir. Gen. Savir are holding a special security comm. mtg. in Rome; a 2d comm., headed by PA's Shaath, is negotiating a prisoner release at an unnamed location. (MENA 7/11 in FBIS 7/11)

In Damascus, U.S. envoy Ross, NSC adviser Mark Parris meet with Syrian Pres. Asad, transmit Israeli concerns about s. Lebanon. Asad expresses reservations about procedural matters, sending military advisers to next talks with Israel; accepts idea of ground early warning posts manned by international (non-Israeli) forces. (SARR 7/10, 7/11 in FBIS 7/11; MM 7/11; SARR 7/11 in FBIS 7/12; MM 7/14; WJW 7/20)

In talks on self-rule in Cairo, Israel accepts PA demand to transfer remaining 32 West Bank civil administration spheres at once. (MENA 6/6, 6/7 in FBIS 6/7; WP 6/8; JP 6/17; SA 6/18 in FBIS 6/20; JP 6/24) (see 5/29)

U.S. envoy Ross meets with Pres. Asad, military expert Lt. Gen. Hikmat Shihabi in Damascus. (SARR 6/6 in FBIS 6/7; WT 6/7)

Chancellor Kohl begins official tour of Israel. High-level delegation fr. German FMin. visits Orient House in East Jerusalem to discuss status of Jerusalem, reiterates German position that Jerusalem is occupied territory. (MM 6/5; al-Nahar 6/7 in FBIS 6/9)

Israeli-Palestinian talks on expanding self-rule resume in Cairo. Israeli delegation head Yo'el Singer says target date for Palestinian elections is 6/15, Israel will not object to any party's participation. (MENA 3/13, MENA, VOP 3/14, VOP 3/15 in FBIS 3/15; CSM 3/15; AFP 3/14, MENA, QY 3/15, VOP 3/16 in FBIS 3/16)

Secy. of State Christopher stops in Damascus briefly on his return to Washington, meets with FM Faruq al-Shara`, announces talks btwn. Israel, Syria will resume in Washington soon. (WP 3/14; SARR 3/14 in FBIS 3/14; SARR, SATN 3/14 in FBIS 3/15; MM, NYT, WP 3/15; AN, CSM 3/16; MEI 3/17)

British PM Major meets with Arafat in Gaza, discusses developments in peace process, economic issues. Arafat expresses urgent need for aid. Major then meets with Arafat advisor Faisal Husseini at British consulate in Jerusalem, while Asst. British FM Andrew Green meets with a Palestinian delegation at Orient House. Major then meets with PM Rabin, discusses bilateral relations, leaves for mtg. with King Hussein. (IDF Radio, VOP 3/14 in FBIS 3/14; JTV, QY, VOP 3/14, RJ, VOP 3/15 in FBIS 3/15) (see 3/6)

Arab League issues statement at close of seminar on Jerusalem, says Jerusalem issue is key to peace process, calls on nations to uphold 1980 UNSC Res. 478 asking nations not to move diplomatic offices to the city. (MENA 3/14 in FBIS 3/17)

U.S., Israeli forces begin 3 wks of war games in Negev desert. (MM 3/14; WT 3/15; JP 4/1)

PA releases Shaykh al-Safadi, arrested 4/12. (QY 4/14 in FBIS 4/15)

Israel, PA close election talks in Cairo without making any progress. (AFP, RMC 2/8 in FBIS 2/8)

U.S. Commerce Secy. Brown, executives fr. 10 American corporations meet in Taba with trade officials fr. Egypt, Israel, Jordan, the PA to discuss setting up regional council for trade, investment, assess results of Casablanca mtg., set ground work for international economic forum in Jordan in spring. Parties say they will work establish free trade btwn. themselves, form 2 economic bodies to develop their economic ties. (WT 2/8; MENA 2/8 in FBIS 2/8)

EU delegation headed by French FM Alain Juppé arrives in Damascus, meets with Pres. al-Asad to discuss EU-Syrian relations, peace process, says EU supports full Israeli withdrawal fr. Golan. (SARR 2/8 in FBIS 2/8; MM 2/9; MEI 2/17)

Reports say that over past few months Israel has brought in 12,000 Thai workers to replace Palestinian laborers in Israel, bring import of new workers fr. South East Asia, Eastern Europe to 50,000 since 3/94. (MEI 2/3, NYT 2/8; MEI 2/17)

Poll released by Strategic Studies Center, University of Jordan, shows that 72.6% of Jordanians polled favor some kind of union with Palestine. (JT 2/8 in FBIS 2/10)

PA says it has arrested more than 100 DFLP mbrs. since 2/6 incident. (QY 2/8 in FBIS 2/8; WP 2/10)

U.S. Secy. of State Christopher arrives in Damascus; gives Pres. al-Asad proposal fr. PM Rabin. (MM 12/6; SARR 12/6 in FBIS 12/6; SARR, SATV 12/6 in FBIS 12/7; MM, NYT, WT 12/7; MEI 12/16) (see 11/21)

Israel, PA meet in Cairo for discussions on implementing self-rule. PA negotiator, Planning M Shaath, accuses Israel of trying to renege on promises to withdraw troops. (MM, WT 12/6; VOP 12/6 in FBIS 12/6; IDF Radio, MENA 12/6 in FBIS 12/7; NYT 12/7; VOP 12/7 in FBIS 12/8)

Secy. of State Christopher arrives in Tel Aviv, briefs PM Rabin on talks with Pres. al-Asad, says Israel cannot be expected to withdraw troops fr. West Bank until Palestinian attacks on Israelis end. (MM 12/6; ITV 12/6, QY 12/7 in FBIS 12/7; NYT 12/7; MEI 12/16) (see 12/1)

PM Rabin approves another 5,000 work permits for Palestinians. (MM 12/6)

Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu meets with King Hussein, Crown Prince Hassan in Amman, stresses Likud no longer believes Jordan is Palestine; discusses ways to combat terrorism, increase economic ties. (JTV 12/6 in FBIS 12/7; MM 12/7; ITV 12/6 in FBIS 12/8; JP 12/17)

Russia, PA sign protocol on security operations in Moscow, stating Russia will give security training to PA recruits. (Al-Quds 12/7 in FBIS 12/9)

5 Fateh mbrs. are wounded in shootout btwn. rival Fateh factions, one headed by Col. Rajub, head of PSF in West Bank. (QY 12/6 in FBIS 12/7)

1 IDF soldier killed, 1 wounded when bomb explodes nr. their post in southern Lebanon. IDF, SLA shell Hizballah positions in response. (FL 12/6 in FBIS 12/7; WP, WT 12/7; MEI 1/20)

Turkish PM Tansu Ciller ends 3-day visit to Israel; meets with Arafat in Gaza City, pledges $50 m. to autonomous areas; causes conflict with Israelis by holding mtg. with PLO's Faisal Husseini at Orient House in East Jerusalem. (MM 11/4; WT 11/5, 11/6; QY, RMC, VOP 11/6 in FBIS 11/7; MM 11/7; MM 11/8; JP 11/12)

Syrian Pres. al-Asad, Lebanese Pres. Hrawi meet in Damascus to discuss Israeli PM Rabin's 11/1 remarks on southern Lebanon. (SARR 11/5 in FBIS 11/7; JP 11/12)

Israeli Dep. DM Gur says Israel will consider direct talks with Lebanon on phased pullout fr. southern Lebanon if Lebanese present viable plan ensuring total cessation of violence. (JP 11/12)

PNA announces Egypt will open representative office in Gaza, consulate in Jericho; Arafat names Zuhdi al-Qidrah as PNA representative to Cairo. (MENA 11/5 in FBIS 11/7)

Israeli study shows Fateh has not made any lethal attacks on Israelis since autonomy agmt. was signed in May. (QY 11/6 in FBIS 11/8; WT 11/8)

PLO Chmn. Arafat and Israeli PM Rabin meet in Cairo but fail to reach agreement on Israeli withdrawal fr. Gaza and Jericho, due to begin 12/13. The 2 leaders agree to meet again in 10 days, and say delay does not endanger DoP or 4/13/94 deadline for end of withdrawal. (NYT, WP, WT 12/13)

Lebanese Pres. al-Hirawi meets Syrian Pres. al-Asad in Damascus to discuss Secy. of State Christopher'secent tour and coordinate positions for next round of talks with Israel. (RL, VOL, SARR 12/12 in FBIS 12/13; MM 12/13)

U.S. officials say Morocco and Israel have reached a package of agreements, including El Al flights to Morocco and Royal Air Maroc flights to Israel, direct Moroccan-Israel telephone and postalinks, exchanges of visits by religious and business leaders, joint banking arrangements, and more frequent direct political contacts. (NYT 12/13)

Morton Klein, an opponent of Israel-PLO accord, elected pres. of Zionist Organization of America by vote of 144-127, and his slate of 10 candidates elected to top ZOA posts. Observers call election "clear victory for opponents" of DoP. (MM 12/14; WJW 12/16)

Palestinian gunmen attack Israeli bus in Hebron, West Bank, seriously wounding its driver. (NYT, WT 12/13)

Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi publicly invites Sabri al-Banna ("Abu Nidal") and Ahmad Jibril of PFLP-GC for a conference in Tripoli. (WT 12/13)