The Palestine Chronology

Israel, PA begin intensive, week-long negotiations to finalize West Bank deal by 7/25. In Zichron Ya'acov, 150 Israeli, Palestinian negotiators break into 4 negotiating committees (on redeployment and security, water, elections, transfer of authority) to begin drafting self-rule accord. (WT 7/16; QY, VOP 7/16 in FBIS 7/17; CSM, MM, NYT 7/17)

PM Rabin announces that partial control for Jewish religious sites such as Rachel's tomb in Bethlehem, Joseph's tomb in Nablus, the Altar of Joshua on Mount Ebal, the Herodian mountain, the Qumran caves, other archaeological sites in West Bank eventually will be turned over to the PA. PA will have total control of access roads to the sites. (QY 7/16 in FBIS 7/17; MM 7/17; WJW 7/20) (see 7/10)

Israeli cabinet meets to discuss methods of financing redeployment, projected costs. (QY 7/16 in FBIS 7/18)

Russian Dep. FM Posuvalyuk meets with Syrian FM al-Shara` in Damascus, discusses bilateral relations, peace process. (SARR 7/16 in FBIS 7/17; MM 7/17)

Israeli Dep. DM Gur, best known for capturing Temple Mount fr. Jordan during the 1967 war, commits suicide nr. Tel Aviv. He was suffering fr. inoperable cancer. (QY 7/16 in FBIS 7/17; MM, WT 7/17, JP 7/22)

In Zichron Ya'acov, n. Israel, Israel, PA meet to set agenda for 1st round of marathon talks aimed at reaching accord on 2d state of self-rule by 7/25. Talks, beginning 7/16, will focus on security arrangements for Bethlehem, Hebron, Ramallah. (QY 7/13 in FBIS 7/14; MM 7/14; WT 7/16; QY 7/16 in FBIS 7/17)

PA Planning M Shaath, Israeli Police M Shahal hold talks on Palestinian prisoners. Shaath receives several Israeli proposals for numbers of prisoners to be released, timetables but gives no details. (VOP 7/15 in FBIS 7/17; HA 7/14 in FBIS 7/18)