The Palestine Chronology

Special Russian envoy to the Middle East Viktor Posuvalyuk meets with Arafat, Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin, says Russia wants to be active partner in all negotiations on Jerusalem. PM Rabin says Russia is interfering, trying to bring new initiatives to the talks, should coordinate with U.S. (MM 8/26; Al-Hamishmar 8/26 in IL 8/26; VOP 8/26 in FBIS 8/26; WJW 9/1)

Arafat approves new 13-mbr. council (inc. Fateh, Hamas, PFLP) to replace Israeli-appointed mayor of Jericho Jamil Khalaf until elections are held. Hassan Salih al-Husayn, Fateh mbr. and former PLO military cmdr., will be chair. (QY, VOP 8/25 in FBIS 8/26)

Poll released by Center for Palestine Research and Studies shows Palestinians oppose Arafat's restrictions on press, prefer Palestinian over Jordanian control of Islamic trusts. 13.9% of respondents favor Hamas; 39%, Fateh. (MM 8/26; QY 8/25 in FBIS 8/30; CSM 9/21)

Israeli Dep. FM Beilin says Pakistani PM Bhutto must clear visit to Gaza with Israeli FMin., stating Cairo Agmt. leaves Israel in charge of foreign relations, in control of borders. (QY 8/24, 2/25 in FBIS 8/25; Davar 8/26 in IL 8/26)

IDF raids Salah al-Din mosque in Nablus, confiscates alleged Hamas material, seriously injures 6 Palestinian protesters. (QY 8/25 in FBIS 8/25, 8/26; JP 9/3)

PNA Planning M Shaath, Israeli negotiator Maj. Gen. Danny Rothschild initial early empowerment accord in Cairo giving PNA control of education, health, welfare, taxes, tourism; ability to amend related laws subject to Israeli veto. All schools to be turned over by 8/29, other responsibilities by 9/12, provided financing is confirmed at mtg. of donor countries in Paris 9/9. Arafat asks for immediate $9.5 m. for running schools. Israel agrees to pay teachers' 1st-mo. salaries. Safe-passage corridor opens. (NYT, WP, WT 8/24; CSM 8/25; MENA, QY 8/24 in FBIS 8/25)

Pres. Clinton tells B'nai B'rith convention that U.S. will compensate Israel for any strategic advantages it relinquishes for peace. (QY 8/24 in IL 8/25; MM 8/26)

IDF announces it has begun evacuating some West Bank outposts in the Nablus area as part of the early empowerment agmt. (JP, MM 8/24)

Lebanese PM Rafiq Hariri meets with Hamas delegation to discuss elections, conditions of Palestinian refugees in Lebanon. Lebanese Refugee Affairs M Walid Junblat says new houses to be built for Palestinian refugees in al-Quray'ah with help from UNRWA. (RL 8/24 in FBIS 8/25; Al-Safir 8/25 in FBIS 8/30; Al-Safir 8/30 in FBIS 9/1)

Pakistani PM Benazir Bhutto announces she will visit Gaza Strip 8/28 to meet with Arafat, but not visit Israel. (QY 8/24 in FBIS 8/25)

Israeli Finance, Interior Mins. reach agmt. with Israeli-Arab municipalities ending 39-day strike by heads of Arab towns. (HA 8/25 in IL 8/25)

Shin Bet, IDF arrest 10 mbrs. of Fateh Hawks accused of killing collaborators. (ITV 8/24 in FBIS 8/25; JP 9/3)