The Palestine Chronology

After midnight meeting with F.M. Aziz in Moscow, Soviet leaders announce Baghdad has given "positive" response to Soviet peace plan; U.S. delays formal response until consultation with allies [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 2/22].

Saddam Hussein delivers speech over Baghdad radio reaffirming Iraq's 2/15 proposal; says Iraq is ready for all-out war unless proposal is accepted [BADS 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; NYT, LAT, WP, MEM 2/22; MET 3/5].

U.S. Def. Sec. Dick Cheney says allied forces are braced for "one of the largest land assaults of modem times" as U.S.-Iraq clashes grow larger and more intense; U.S. command says allies have reached level of destruction specified by senior generals as minimum needed before ground offensive can begin [NYT 2/22].

SCUD missiles are fired at Saudi Arabia in 2 rare daylight attacks; Patriot missile intercept all; 9 American soldiers are killed in 2 helicopter crashes in Saudi Arabia [LAT, MEM 2/22; MET 3/5].

Kuwaiti gov't-in-exile contracts U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to help restore Kuwait's damaged water, power, and transportation systems after war. Contract runs for 90 days, valued at $45 million [LAT 2/22].

Saudi ambassador to U.S., Prince Bandar bin Sultan, warns that Yasir Arafat, King Hussein, and Pres. Saleh of Yemen will be made to pay dearly for supporting Iraq, signalling sharp break from Saudi prewar policy of trying to forge Arab consensus (cf. 2/26) [LAT 2/22].

Hours after long-disputed $400 million loan guarantees to Israel is approved, Israeli officials claim the amount is grossly insufficient; Immigration Min. Yitzhak Peretz says "In fact, it's a very small sum that only accounts for 3 or 4 percent of the overall figure" needed [NYT 2/22].

Amnesty International accuses members of allies of using war as pretext for human rights violations, citing Britain, Egypt, and U.S. for war-related abuses [MEM 2/21; LAT 2/22].

At Labor party bureau meeting MK Moshe Shahal expresses, for 1st time in public, support for creation of Palestinian state [IDF 2/21 in FBIS 2/22; MEM 2/22; JPI 3/2].

Allied forces battle Iraqi front line troops with air raids, ship-launched missiles, and artillery fire; military officials report about 50 fires burning at locations throughout Kuwait [LAT, NYT, WT, WP 2/13].

2 Iraqi gov't. ministry buildings are hit in bombing raids; senior Baghdad official claims Iraq is being systematically destroyed by allies [NYT, WP 2/13].

Saddam Hussein tells Soviet envoy Primakov that Baghdad is prepared to cooperate with Soviet Union and other "nations or agencies" to find peaceful solution to Gulf war; U.S. response is cautious optimism [MEM 2/12; LAT, NYT, WP, WT 2/13].

Diplomats report that Saudi Arabia is facing short-term financial problems after spending billions of dollars bankrolling Gulf war effort; officials say Saudis have contributed about $48 billion in military and economic assistance to allies since 2 August [MEM 2/12; LAT, NYT, WP 2/13].

More than 80 Iraqi planes have now sought refuge in Iran, according to U.S. officials [LAT, WT 1/29].

In television interview with CNN, Saddam Hussein says Iraq has won "the admiration of the world" for employing only conventional arms in war; Saddam warns that SCUD missiles can still be fitted with nonconventional warheads [BADS 1/28 in FBIS 1/29; LAT, WT 1/29].

Military officials say U.S. bombing raids at oil facilities in Kuwait have stopped oil spilling into Gulf, but not before 11 million barrels had entered the water [LAT, WT 1/29].

For 1st time in 20 years, no one protests outside Soviet embassy in Washington, demonstrating on behalf on Jews trying to emigrate from USSR; Kremlin's relaxed policies lead Jewish Community Council of Greater Washington to suspend daily 15-minute protests that began in December 1970 [LAT, WT 1/29].

Patriot missiles destroy incoming SCUD missiles aimed at Saudi Arabia; parts of SCUD land in Palestinian villages in West Bank; additional Patriot missile systems arrive in Saudi Arabia [SPA, IDF 1/28 in FBIS 1/29; LAT, WT 1/29].

Baghdad claims that some captured pilots have been injured in air raids by allied planes; in letter to UN leader Perez de Cuellar, Iraq says 345 civilians have been killed, 450 wounded, in air raids [LAT 1/29].

Prominent Israeli authors and peace activists Amos Oz, A.B. Yehoshua, Yoram Kaniuk, and Yael Dayan speak out in favor of war in Gulf, saying anti-war protests amount to appeasing Saddam Hussein [LAT 1/29].

One-day strike called in support of Iraq by Morocco's 3 major trade unions shuts down most economic activity [LAT 1/29].

UN Sec. Council rebuffs calls by several Arab nations for open debate on Gulf war; Council elects to continue informal consultations behind closed doors [LAT 1/29].

Bombs explode in Greece and Turkey, no one is injured in attacks that may be linked to U.S. role in war [LAT 1/29].

American Civil Liberties Union assails FBI assertion that Arab-American civic and business leaders will suffer no consequences if they refuse to be interviewed about potential terrorism [LAT 1/29]. 

Two-day tripartite meeting of foreign ministers of Egypt, Syria and Saudi Arabia begins in Cairo; this is 3d meeting since Gulf crisis began [MENA, RMC 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; MET 12/11].

Greater Beirut officially comes under control of Lebanese Army after Lebanese Forces militia vacate positions [MEM 12/3; NYT, WT, WP, CSM 12/4; BDS, BVL, RFL 12/3 in FBIS 12/4; MET 12/11].

Def. Sec. Cheney tells Senate Armed Services Committee that military action rather than economic sanctions is only sure way of forcing Iraq out of Kuwait [NYT, WT, WP, MEM 12/4; CSM 12/5].

Soviet television reports that 1,000 of the 3,000 Soviet citizens still held in Iraq will be allowed to return to USSR within next 3 weeks [NYT, WT, WP 12/4].

In separate statements before English-speaking or American audiences, Israeli D.M. Moshe Arens, Housing Min. Ariel Sharon, Deputy F.M. Benjamin Netanyahu, and several MKs offer sharp warnings that Iraq should not be left with its army and weapons intact after Gulf crisis [NYT 12/4; WP 12/6]; Sharon compares Sec. Baker's proposed Baghdad trip to Neville Chamberlain in World War II [JDS 12/3 in FBIS 12/4].

Israeli military court sentences to 30 years each of 12 Arabs apprehended in PLF's May 1990 attempted attack on Tel Aviv beach [IDF 12/3 in FBIS 12/5; LAT 12/4; MEM 12/4; MET 12/11].

Quoting B'Tselem data, HaAretz reports that Palestinians are prohibited from building on 68% of West Bank's 5.5 million dunums [HAA 12/3 in FBIS 12/5].

Israeli air force and navy confront "fishing vessel that appeared suspicious" off coast of Gaza; force it ashore and shoot dead 1 crew member who tries to flee; five others are detained [JDS 12/4 in FBIS 12/4; MEM 12/4].

At least 10 "anti-Israeli combatants" are killed in 2 incidents of fighting with IDF, SLA troops in S. Lebanon [IDF, AFP 12/3 in FBIS 12/4]. 

Beset by challenges from within Conservative party, British P.M. Margaret Thatcher announces her resignation [NYT, LAT, WP 11/23; CSM 11/26].

Pres. Bush visits U.S. forces in Saudi Arabia, says they may have to face "some pain now to avoid even worse pain later," then flies to Cairo [NYT, LAT, WP 11/23; MET 12/4].

D.M. Tom King says Britain will send 14,000 more troops and additional tanks, aircraft, and ships to the Gulf by the end of the year, bringing total number of British troops there to more than 30,000 [NYT, LAT, MEM 11/23].

Visiting Sanaa, Yemen, Sec. Baker is rebuffed in efforts to persuade Yemen, only Arab country on UN Sec. Council, to support resolution authorizing use of force against Iraq. Pres. Saleh criticizes buildup of foreign forces in Gulf [SDS 11/22 in FBIS 11/23; SDS 11/23 in FBIS 11/26; NYT, LAT, WP, MEM 11/23]; Baker then flies to Jeddah [SPA 11/22 in FBIS 11/23].

PLO leader Yasir Arafat arrives in Baghdad, says he strongly supports Saddam Hussein's assertions that Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait must be tied to overall settlement of conflicts in region; adds there is no alternative to negotiations between Iraq and U.S. [BVP 11/22 in FBIS 11/27; NYT 11/26].

D.M. Moshe Arens instructs IDF to expand enlistment of Bedouins into its ranks [MAA 11/23 in FBIS 11/23].

Jerusalem Mayor Teddy Kollek and E. Jerusalem Arabs praise Jerusalem district planning committee's decision to build 7,500 new apartments for Palestinians northwards from French Hill junction towards Ramallah [JPD 11/23 in FBIS 11/23; MEM 11/23; JPI 12/1].

Kuwaiti gov't.-in-exile extends $550 million medium-term loan to the Soviet Union on favorable terms; "observers" point to "political aspect" of loan [MEM 11/23]. 

Soviet Union and Israel sign agreement on scientific cooperation and exchanges of scientific information [TASS 11/22 in FBIS 11/28].

Israeli military begins handing out gas masks and chemical warfare defense kits that it plans to distribute to Israelis over next 2 months. Palestinians in O.T. will not be given kits but will be allowed to purchase them [NYT, WP 10/2; NYT, LAT, WP 10/8].

Facing dwindling oil reserves and commercial imports, Jordan orders austerity measures to save fuel to begin on 10/13. Measures call for reduced work days, mandatory closing times for shops, and decreased electrical use [NYT 10/8].

EC foreign ministers agree that there could be "no compromise" with Iraq over UN resolutions on the Gulf, and that pressure must be kept up on Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait [LAT 10/8].

At inauguration of new E. Jerusalem Jewish religious school, P.M. Shamir announces plans for major new housing project in E. Jerusalem built for Orthodox Jews on undeveloped ridge between Mt. Scopus and the Mount of Olives [LAT, WP, MEM 10/8].

Yasir Arafat meets with Soviet envoy Primakov in Baghdad to discuss Gulf crisis [SVP 10/7 in FBIS 10/9].

Maj. Gen. Ali Habib, commander of Syrian forces in Gulf, tells Saudi newspaper that his troops will only defend Saudi Arabia, not attack Iraq (cf. 10/8) [MEM 10/8; WP 10/9]. 

Iraq's deputy P.M. Ramadan says Iraq prefers war to capitulation and that any decision to pull out of Kuwait must be linked to Israeli withdrawal from O.T. [WP 10/5].

Kuwaiti and Western officials report Kuwait's underground resistance movement is giving up much of its armed struggle after wave of executions by Iraqi troops that has left up to several hundred civilians dead [WP, LAT 10/5].

Soviet envoy Primakov arrives in Baghdad with message from Pres. Gorbachev, meets with F.M. Aziz and is to meet with Saddam (cf. 10/6) [INA 10/4 in FBIS 10/5; MEM 10/4; NYT, LAT, WT 10/5]; F.M. Shevardnadze meets Saudi F.M. Saud al-Faisal in New York [SPA 10/4 in FBIS 10/4].

Japanese P.M. Kaifu meets in Amman with Iraq's deputy P.M. Ramadan, then with King Hussein and offers Jordan $250 million in development loans [MEM 10/4; NYT, LAT, WT 10/5].

Pres. Mitterrand meets King Fahd in Jeddah, assures Saudis of French solidarity against Iraq NYT, LAT, MEM 10/5].

Aircraft carrier USS Independence leaves the Gulf after 3 days [LAT, NYT, WT 10/5].

British F.M. Hurd and Italian F.M. de Michelis say in separate interviews that Israel must move quickly to make peace with Palestinians as soon as Gulf crisis is over. "Algeria has told us: 'Within one minute of the end of the crisis, we Arabs, including the moderate, will demand that the UN impose exactly the same sanctions on Israel as on Iraq.' They have a right to do so and plenty of reasons.... Israel must open up on this" says de Michelis [WT, MEM 10/5].

Israeli cabinet unanimously approves new tax package designed to raise $450 million to pay for absorption of Soviet Jewish immigrants [NYT, MEM 9/14].

Meanwhile Ariel Sharon ends week-long visit to Moscow to discuss arrangements with Soviet firm to build pre-fabricated housing in Israel [MEM 9/14].

Greek ambassador to Israel presents credentials; Greece is last member of the EC to establish full diplomatic ties with Israel [MEM 9/14].

Western diplomats in Damascus say Syria has agreed to send 10,000 additional troops and 300 tanks to Saudi Arabia [NYT 9/14].

PLO Chrmn. Arafat arrives unexpectedly in Baghdad, meets with F.M. Tarik Aziz [WT 9/14; MET 9/25].

UN Sec. Council approves shipment of food through UN blockade of Iraq and Kuwait in humanitarian cases provided food is distributed through UN and similar bodies (13 members for, Cuba and Yemen against) [MEM 9/14; MET 9/25]. 

Arab foreign ministers and representatives open 2-day meeting in Cairo; in attendance are Egypt, Morocco, Syria, Lebanon, Djibouti, Somalia, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Qatar, UAE, Bahrian, Oman, and Libya (cf. 9/1) [MENA 8/30 in FBIS 8/31; NYT 8/31; MET 9/11].

Claiming "shape of post-cold-war world" is at issue, Pres. Bush says he will send Sec. Baker, Sec. Brady overseas to ask other nations to help pay multibillion-dollar cost of military operations and sanctions in Middle East [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 8/31].

Iraq moves some women and children hostages who had been placed at strategic locations in outlying areas as potential shields to Baghdad in preparation for being allowed to leave Iraq [NYT, LAT, WT, WP 8/31; MET 9/11].

In 1st criticism of U.S. military forces in Gulf, Soviet Union asks whether U.S. presence might be intended as permanent foothold in region [NYT, LAT 8/31].

U.S. officials report the CIA is training Kuwaiti resistance fighters at bases in Saudi Arabia [LAT, WP 8/31].

Palestinians in O.T. stage general strike to protest U.S. military presence in Gulf [MET 9/11].

Reacting to planned U.S. sale of $2.2 billion in military hardware to Saudi Arabia, Israeli Foreign Ministry demands that U.S. ensure Israel remains the dominant power in Middle East by providing additional military aid [WT, WP 8/31; MET 9/11].

Senior U.S. naval officer says U.S. warships are interrogating daily up to 75 commercial shipping vessels in Gulf; shipping has declined "dramatically" since sanctions were announced [WP 8/31].

Saddam appears on Iraqi television with uneasy-looking Western hostages, explains to them he is keeping them as "guests" in Iraq to prevent war [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 8/24].

Baghdad says it will soon free some French nationals as sign of good faith to France; Paris insists on release of all foreigners held in Iraq [WP 8/24].

Deposed Sabah family of Kuwait sets up gov't-in-exile in heavily guarded Sheraton Hotel in Al-Hada, Saudi Arabia [WP 8/24].

Bush admin. criticizes USSR for keeping military advisers in Iraq; Soviets say 193 advisers were finishing their "contractual obligations" to Iraq [WT 8/23].