Lebanese FM Buwayz sets 3 conditions for resumption of negotiations with Israel: U.S. must send Lebanon a credible Israeli proposal for review; proposal must not contradict Lebanese principles for...
FM Peres criticizes some settlements in Gaza Strip as "totally illogical," saying Netzarim "has no agricultural importance, no economic importance, no security importance." (MM 2/22)
Israel's Jewish Agency reports that during FY ending 3/31, only 175 of immigrants who were not sent to absorption centers settled beyond green line; also adds some 1,800 immigrants had settled in...
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IDF begins redeployment fr. Janin, 60 surrounding villages. 1st 10 Palestinian policemen arrive in Janin to crowds of Palestinian well-wishers. (MM 10/25; VOP 10/25 in FBIS 10/25; NYT, WP 10/26; MEI 11/3)
1st of 7 new West Bank district liaison and coordinating offices begins operating in Janin. (HA 10/27 in FBIS 11/1)
In Washington, PM Rabin meets with Pres. Clinton, Defense Secy. Perry. Later in the day, Congress holds official reception on Capitol Hill to mark Israel's Jerusalem 3000 celebration, commemorating the establishment by King David of Jerusalem as the capital of Israel. PM Rabin, Jerusalem Mayor Olmert, Senate Majority Leader Dole (R-KS), Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD), House Speaker Newt Gingrich (R-GA), House Minority Leader Richard Gephardt (D-MS) attend. Knesset sends Congress telegram congratulating them on the U.S. embassy vote. (QY 9/5 in FBIS 9/5; MM, NYT 10/25; MM, WT 10/26; MM 10/27)
Jordan, Israel sign trade agmt. (QY 10/25 in FBIS 10/26)
Libya's Qaddafi temporarily halts expulsion of Palestinians for 3-6 mos to allow Arab states time to prepare for the eventual deportation of all Palestinians to the self-rule areas. (NYT, WT 10/26)
IAF begins using infrared night-vision security system on the border with Lebanon. (JP 10/25 in FBIS 10/27)
Lebanese FM Buwayz sets 3 conditions for resumption of negotiations with Israel: U.S. must send Lebanon a credible Israeli proposal for review; proposal must not contradict Lebanese principles for resuming talks; Israel must 1st withdraw fr. s. Lebanon. (RL 6/22 in FBIS 6/23)
Multilateral Working Group on Water closes session in Amman. Parties propose joint projects totalling $50 m. (IGPO 6/23 in FBIS 6/28)
FM Peres, Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan meet in Amman, discuss water, technical, scientific cooperation. (MM 6/22; QY 6/22 in FBIS 6/22; RJ 6/22 in FBIS 6/23)
Arafat holds mtgs with Israeli Knesset Dep. Speaker Rafael Edri on implementation of 2d stage of self-rule; with UN coordinator Terje Larsen on UN activities in the o.t.; with World Bank rep. Kem Chin on donor states' assistance. (VOP 6/23 in FBIS 6/23)
Mahmud al-Khawaja, top leader of Islamic Jihad, is killed in a drive-by shooting in Gaza. Islamic Jihad blames Israeli security services, vows retaliation. Israel neither confirms, denies the accusation. (AFP 6/22 in FBIS 6/22; AFP 6/22, SA 6/23 in FBIS 6/23; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 6/23; PR 7/2)
In Hebron, IDF shuts 4th mosque in 2 wks. after security forces find alleged Hamas material during raid. (PR 6/18; QY 6/22 in FBIS 6/23) (see 6/15)
In Ramallah, IDF shoots, wounds 4 Palestinians during demonstration by 100s of Palestinians in support of prisoners' hunger strike. (HA 6/23 in FBIS 6/23) (see 6/17)
IDF shells Hizballah positions in s. Lebanon, killing 1 child. (QY 6/23 in FBIS 6/23; WP 6/24)
To date, 55 senators have signed onto Sen. Robert Dole's bill that would move the U.S. embassy in Israel fr. Tel Aviv to Jerusalem (see 5/9). Secy. of State Christopher warns senators Clinton will veto. (JP 6/22 in FBIS 6/22)
FM Peres criticizes some settlements in Gaza Strip as "totally illogical," saying Netzarim "has no agricultural importance, no economic importance, no security importance." (MM 2/22)
15 settler families, most fr. Ariel, sign petition for Knesset assistance to help them leave o.t. MKs Yossi Katz (Labor) and Avraham Poraz (Meretz) submit Knesset bills calling for comprehensive compensation plan for settlers leaving o.t., while Labor MKs Haggai Merom and Avraham Burg set up "hot line" for settlers who wish to leave. (MM 2/23)
Lebanese govt. officials, responding to U.S. concerns over violence in southern Lebanon, agree to restrain actions of guerrilla groups in south. Int. M Bishara Mirhaj says "We will not approve of any operation that undermines the responsibility of the state in south Lebanon." (NYT 2/25)
Israeli Central Bureau of Statistics puts Israeli population at end 1993 at 5.325 m., compared to 5.196 m. in 1992. CBS says settlements' population at 115,000 compared to 105,000 in 1992, Palestinian population in o.t. 1.9 m. (MM 2/23)
Likud leader Binyamin Netanyahu meets in Washington with VP Al Gore, Senate Minority Leader Robert Dole. Gore expresses both personal and official Clinton admin. opposition to Palestinian state, according to Netanyahu, while Dole says Senate would oppose posting U.S. troops on Golan. (MM 2/23)
Jordanian Crown Prince Hassan expresses "respect and appreciation" for Saudi fund-raising drive for Islamic holy places in Jerusalem. (RJ 2/22 in FBIS 2/23)
Senate confirms Strobe Talbott as dep. secy. of state by 66-31 vote. Opponents had charged Talbott was overly critical of Israel while a journalist for Time magazine, Sen. John McCain (R-AZ) calling Talbott's articles "insulting, immature and incorrect," Sen. Minority Leader Robert Dole (R-KS) accusing Talbott of "clear anti-Israel bias." (MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/23)
Israel's Jewish Agency reports that during FY ending 3/31, only 175 of immigrants who were not sent to absorption centers settled beyond green line; also adds some 1,800 immigrants had settled in Jerusalem. JDS adds 41,500 total immigrants arrived during FY; 23,019 did not go to absorption centers, but looked after themselves [HAA, JDS 4/9 in FBIS 4/10].
Washington Times, citing unnamed defense sources, reports Israel is "reasonably close" to first test flight of experimental interceptor that could strike down incoming ballistic missiles; but deployment of these Arrow interceptors is at least 5 years away [WT 4/9].
New York Times reports Shimon Peres seems assured of 61 Knesset votes, majority needed to form new gov't. [NYT 4/ 11].
Syria's Pres. Asad receives Senator Bob Dole; says he wants better relations with U.S. and peaceful settlement to Arab-Israeli conflict [NYT, WT 4/10; DDS 4/9 in FBIS 4/10].
Representatives of Abu Nidal's Fateh Revolutionary Council begin talks in Beirut with Belgian delegation on exchanging Palestinian jailed in Brussels for 4 Belgians held captive since 1987 [NYT 4/10].
Elias Freij, Bethlehem's mayor, meets in Washington with Sec. of State Baker, discuss opposition to O.T. settlements [jDS 4/10 in FBIS 4/10].
Dahaf organization publishes poll that finds 80% of those Israelis surveyed want to change current electoral system, 78% want to directly elect P.M. [YA 4/9 in FBIS 4/10].
