Israel asks U.S. to pass message to Syria, saying Israeli is ready to resume negotiations without preconditions, is not planning an attack. Syria sends Israel assurances it is not planning a...
After day of multinational force bombing successes against Iraq, Baghdad fires as many as 8 SCUD missiles at Israel, hitting Tel Aviv, Haifa, and less populated areas [NYT, LAT, WT, WP, MEM 1/18...
Palestinians burn Israel army officer to death in his car in Gaza Strip. Crowd stones the car after it makes wrong turn and drives into Bureij refugee camp; car is set afire after soldier hits...
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities close al-Manar press office in Jerusalem for 6 months, following raid on the office and seizure of documents....
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Israel asks U.S. to pass message to Syria, saying Israeli is ready to resume negotiations without preconditions, is not planning an attack. Syria sends Israel assurances it is not planning a strike either. (IDF Radio 8/21 in WNC 8/23; ITV 8/24 in WNC 8/24; MM, WT 8/22; WT 8/23) (see 8/20)
Japanese FM Yukihiko Ikeda arrives in Cairo on 1st leg of regional tour to discuss renewal of peace process, Japan's contribution to negotiations. (HA 8/22 in IL 8/22)
Jordan lifts curfew on Karak. (RJ 8/21 in WNC 8/23; JT, RJ 8/22 in WNC 8/27) (see 8/20)
SLA announces that several days ago it abducted 2 alleged Hizballah mbrs. during a raid beyond the self-declared security zone in the Biqa`. The pair is undergoing interrogation. (RL 8/21 in WNC 8/24)
Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz calls on the Interior Min. to investigate illegal practices at polling stations during the 8/18 vote. (RL 8/21 in WNC 8/24)
PLO-Israel draft agreement on deployment of international force in Hebron reached after 14-hr. session. (MM 3/25; NYT, WP, WT 3/26)
International donors conference in Cairo, including reps. of UN, EU, and World Bank, pledges support to Palestinian police. U.S. to provide 200 trucks, spare parts; Norway, uniforms; Japan, housing. (WP 3/26)
Curfew lifted in Hebron, but 2,000 soldiers sent in to protect settlers. Main mosques closed after arrest of settler for killing Palestinian in incident nr. Ashkelon. Palestinian shot in head and 2 others wounded by IDF during stone-throwing clashes in Gaza Strip. 3-day general strike begins in o.t. to mark 1 mo. since Hebron massacre. (NYT, WP, WT 3/26; MM 3/28)
After day of multinational force bombing successes against Iraq, Baghdad fires as many as 8 SCUD missiles at Israel, hitting Tel Aviv, Haifa, and less populated areas [NYT, LAT, WT, WP, MEM 1/18].
Saddam Hussein defies 2d day of bombing in Baghdad by touring Iraq's capital; vows to defeat multinational force and liberate Palestine; calls on all Arabs to help resist U.S. [NYT, LAT, WP, MEM 1/18].
Anti-U.S. demonstrations erupt in Algeria, smaller protests in European cities but European gov'ts. give full backing to war effort; Iran condemns U.S.-led invasion; Pres. Gorbachev blames Iraqi intransigence for war, but only after trying to get Pres. Bush to postpone attack long enough for Soviet diplomats to try to speak to Saddam Hussein; Japan pledges additional aid for allied effort [MEM 1/17; NYT 1/18].
Turkey's parliament authorizes U.S. fighters and bombers to launch attacks on Iraq from Incirlik Air Base near Adama on the Mediterranean [NYT, LAT, MEM 1/18].
New York Times reports of CIA's psychological warfare against Iraq: broadcasting anti-Saddam propaganda into Iraq, circulat- ing audio and video cassettes depicting Saddam's regime as corrupt, and smuggling radios into Iraq to receive American broadcasts [NYT 1/19].
Curfew in Gaza continues; Israel places West Bank under curfew [JDS, IDF 1/17 in FBIS 1/17].
PLO Executive Committee issues statement decrying U.S. for beginning Gulf war and calling for worldwide resistance [AVP, MAP, AFP 1/17 in FBIS 1/18; MEM 1/17; WP 1/18].
Palestinians burn Israel army officer to death in his car in Gaza Strip. Crowd stones the car after it makes wrong turn and drives into Bureij refugee camp; car is set afire after soldier hits cart, injuring 2 Palestinians while trying to flee camp. IDF imposes curfew on camp, and Gaza Strip is declared closed military zone (cf. 9/23, 9/24, 9/25, 9/28) [JDS 9/20 in FBIS 9/21; NYT, WP, WT 9/21; LAT 9/22; FJ 9/24; MET 10/2].
Saudi gov't says it will buy weapons elsewhere if U.S. backs down on $20-billion military sale [LAT, NYT, WP 9/21].
Saudi Arabia stops all oil deliveries to Jordan, citing Jordan's failure to meet payments, reportedly reflecting anger at Jordan for position in crisis; Saudi Arabia provided Jordan with 50% of its oil (cf. 10/24) [NYT, MEM 9/21].
According to Jordanian officials at least 50 Jordanians have been deported from Saudi Arabia in the last week [MEM 9/21].
Iraqi embassy in Amman announces Iraq has decided to allow all Arab nationals with residence permits who are willing to return to Iraq or Kuwait to do so as of today and until 10/26, after which right of return is forfeited [RMC 9/20 in FBIS 9/20].
Japanese officials say that Japan will funnel most of its $1 billion 1st installment of aid to multinational forces through Gulf Cooperation Council] [CSM 9/21].
Social/Economic/Political
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities close al-Manar press office in Jerusalem for 6 months, following raid on the office and seizure of documents. Israelis claim it serves as a front for the DFLP [JP 9/10; FJ 9/13]. Eleven Palestinians go on trial before a military court in Gaza, charged with killing 3 suspected "collaborators " [JP 9/10]. Knesset bill which would ban "unauthorized" meetings with PLO officials passes first reading [MG 9/10]. Settlers break open a passage between Hebron's main mosque and the marketplace. Israeli soldiers briefly detain the settlers and a press photographer [JP 9/10]. Talks begin between the U.S. Board of International Broadcasting and Israeli officials over the location of a high-powered radio transmitter for Voice of America to be built in Israel [JP 9/9].
Arab World: Jerusalem Post reports 17 Egyptians, including 3 army officers, were arrested last week on suspicion of membership in "Egypt's Revolution," the previously unknown group which claimed responsibility for assassinating Israeli diplomat Albert Atrakchi. Submachine guns, automatic rifles, and ammunition were found in the home of one of the officers, and large quantities of pamphlets with others [JP 9/9].
Other Countries: Jewish Telegraphic Agency reports a new lobbyingroup called Americans for a Safe Israel (AFSI) has opened offices in Washington, D.C. [JTA 9/10]. Japanese trade officials tell For. Min. Shamir due to changes in the "geopolitical situation," Japan is now willing to discuss economic cooperation with Israel [JP 9/10].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli soldiers shoot and wound 3 Palestinian youths in Hebron as they try to run away from ID check. A 12-year-old boy standing nearby is also seriously wounded by a stray bullet [NYT, JP 9/10]. Stones are thrown at an Israeli bus passing through Ramallah; no injuries reported. Ramallah is put under 2-hour curfew [NYT 9/10]. Stones are thrown at a foot patrol near Hebron, slightly wounding one soldier. Soldiers close and search the area. A curfew is imposed [JP 9/10]. A parcel bomb is discovered and defused in Gilo settlement, south of Jerusalem. A gasoline bomb is thrown at a bus stop in Jerusalem, causing no injuries [NYT 9/10].
Arab World: The cease-fire fails and fighting resumes over Burj al-Barajinah camp, called the "second war of the camps"; at least 53 have died and 250 been wounded in the week of fighting [LT 9/10, MG 9/12].
