The Palestine Chronology

Speaking at joint press conference, Pres. Mitterrand, Pres. Gorbachev express support for international peace conference and Palestinian statehood [MEM 5/8].

Israeli officials and Western diplomats say Gulf states are weighing relaxation of Arab League economic boycott against Israel and firms that do business with Israel [WP 5/7]. Palestinian and PLO editorials attack Kuwait for planning to ease boycott [MEM 5/7].

Arriving in Riyadh, Def. Sec. Cheney opens efforts to negotiate sweeping changes in U.S.-Arab military relationship that would include permanently stationing weaponry and deploying large numbers of troops during rotating exercises in the Gulf region (cf. 5/9) [WP, NYT 5/7; SPA 5/6 in FBIS 5/7].

Syrian officials say that Lebanese guerrilas fighting against Israeli-backed militias in southern Lebanon should not lay down their weapons under Beirut's plan for disarming all militias: "Weapons of resistance groups ... cannot be touched until the Israeli enemy abandons the border strip" [NYT 5/7].

In letter to UN Sec.-Gen., Iraq asks for 5- year delay on paying war reparations so as to first rebuild its economy. U.S. ambassador to UN Thomas Pickering says Sec. Council is unlikely to ease that part of cease-fire agreement [NYT 5/7].

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]. 

Pres. Bush says he has invited Iraqi F.M. Aziz to Washington and is ready to send Sec. Baker to Baghdad in an attempt to find peaceful solution to Gulf crisis. [NYT, LAT, WP 12/1; CSM 12/3].

Iraqi Revolutionary Command Council brands 11/29 UN ultimatum illegal and accuses U.S. of buying Sec. Council votes [LAT 12/1; MET 12/11].

PLO statement condemns 11/29 UN resolution; another statement "welcomes the U.S. inclination toward negotiation and dialogue" after Pres. Bush offers to send Sec. Baker to Iraq (cf. 12/1) [AFP, AVP 12/1 in FBIS 12/3; CDS 11/30 in FBIS 12/4].

UNLU call no. 64, "the call of pledge and continuity," asks for international protection for Palestinians and heralds beginning of in- tifada's 4th year [BVP 12/3 in FBIS 12/5].

Iraqi troops deliver fruit, vegetables, and cigarettes to the U.S. embassy in Kuwait, promise American diplomats they would return with more food and medical supplies; Pres. Bush says "this could be a positive sign" [NYT, LAT, WP 12/1].

Former U.S. def. secretaries Harold Brown and Robert McNamara urge Bush admin. to allow time for sanctions to work in Iraq before resorting to military action [NYT 12/3].

Israeli military order renews closure of 4 Palestinian universities in o.t. for additional 3 months [MEM 11/30; FJ 12/3].

UN Sec. Council unanimously approves 6-month renewal, until 31 May 1991, of UN Disengagement Observer Force (UNDOF) as buffer between Syrian and Israeli armies in Golan Heights [MEM 12/3].

Official Saudi source says Saudia Arabia has cancelled debts owed to it by Egypt; debts estimated at $4 billion [MEM 12/3].

Jerusalem Report magazine poll taken between 11/19 and 11/29 of 1,200 Israeli Jews finds 42% have become more hawkish toward Palestinians in o.t. in the past 3 years. Only 6% say intifada has brought about more dovish attitude, while 2 out of 3 Israeli Jews say they want to bar Palestinians from working in Israel. (Poll is not published until 12 December) [WT 12/7; MEM 12/13]

Bush admin. says it has enough support to gain approval of UN Sec. Council resolution authorizing the use of force against Iraq; U.S. would like UN to set 1 Jan. as deadline for Iraq to leave Kuwait or face military response (cf. 11/26, 11/27, 11/29) [NYT, WT, WP 11/26; CSM 11/27].

Defense Sec. Dick Cheney says that an Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait would not solve Gulf crisis, because it is "only a matter of time" before Saddam acquires ability to threaten world with nuclear and biological weapons [LAT 11/26].

Teen-aged girl runs at Israeli troops in S. Lebanon "security zone," detonates explosive she had strapped to her body, killing herself and wounding 2 soldiers. National Syrian Socialist Party, a Lebanese group, claims responsibility [JDS 11/25 in FBIS 11/26; NYT, MEM 11/26; JPI 12/1; FJ 12/3; MET 12/4].

Man believed to be an Egyptian border policeman crosses into Israel, opens fire on passing vehicles, killing 4 Israelis and injuring more than 24; wounded by security officer, assailant flees back towards border [QUD, RMC, AFP, CDS, JDS 11/25 in FBIS 11/26; NYT, LAT, WT, WIP, CSM, MEM 11/26; JPI 12/1; FJ 12/3; MET 12/4].

As part of several new military appointments, Israel announces that Maj. Gen. Ehud Baraq will become next IDF chief of staff as of 1 April 1991, replacing Lt. Gen. Dan Shomron [IDF 11/25 in FBIS 11/28; JPD 11/30 in FBIS 11/30; MEM 11/26; JPI 12/8; LAT 1/1].

Syrian Pres. Asad returns to Damascus, concluding 3-day visit with Egypt's Pres. Mubarak [WP, NYT 7/17].

Arab League concludes meeting in Tunis, reports Arab states will boycott companies and institutions that help Jews immigrate to Israel [INA 7/16 in FBIS 7/ 17; WT, MEM 7/17].

UN Sec. Gen. Javier Perez de Cuellar asks 5 permanent members of Sec. Council to become involved in Middle East peace process; U.S. indicates readiness to examine de Cuellar's invitation, but has traditionally opposed greater UN involvement [MEM 7/17; NYT 7/18].

Israeli troops shoot, wound 11 Palestinians in Gaza; enter Rafa town and camp for first time in month and order residents to remove graffiti [NYT 7/17].

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: PFLP Political Bureau denounces recently formed Jordanian-Palestinian confederation party [FBIS 10/2].

Other Countries: Israeli F. M. Shimon Peres holds meetings with U.S. Sec. of State George Shultz and China's F. M. Wu Xueqian [WP 10/1; FBIS 10/2]. U.S.S.R. Ministry of Foreign Affairs official Vladimir Polyakov stresses need for strengthened Syrian-PLO alliance and for peace in Lebanon during meeting with DFLP Sec. Gen. Nayif Hawatimah [FBIS 10/2].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli authorities drop distribution of Arabic daily al-Fajr for seven days for censorship violations (JP, FBIS 10/2). Jerusalem Post reports occupation authorities in West Bank are blocking distribution of new Arabic evening paper for territories, al-Masa', wanting paper to take a pro-Jordanian editorial line. Publisher Mahmud Abu Zuluf says paper is independent (JP 10/1).

Other Countries: U.S. Sec. of State Shultz meets Syrian F.M. Faruq al-Shar' in New York to discuss Syrian help in releasing U.S. hostages in Lebanon; al-Shar' in UN speech reiterates Syrian denials of involvement in terrorism and declares readiness to assist international efforts against terrorism (WP 10/2).

Military Action

Arab World: Shi'i militiamen ad Palestinians continue fighting around Rashidiyyah camp near Tyre (CSM 10/2).

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Arab World: Lebanese Shi'ite and Druze leaders call for Pres. Gemayel's resignation.

Other Countries: US Senate Finance Committee begins hearings on issue of establishing free trade relations with Israel. US Sec. of State Shultz, in Brazilia, accuses Syria of "trying to dominate Lebanon by force." Pres. Reagan orders use of air and naval forces against anti-gov't. positions around Beirut. Late American journalist Fred Sparks' $25,000 bequest to PLO diverted to Red Cross for work with Palestinians; decision results from protest suit taken up by 3 American Zionist organizations. Speaking in Melbourne, former Pres. Carter calls for US withdrawal from Lebanon. European Parliament Pres. Dankert criticizes Israeli policy in Middle East before Knesset and in mtg. with PM Shamir.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Nisreen Ahmed Shrouf, 5 years old, killed, 2 brothers and 2 sisters wounded in Bethlehem when grenade explodes in hand; grenade suspected planted by "TNT."

Arab World: Shi'ite and Druze forces take over most of West Beirut from LAF/Phalange; demand Gemayel's resignation. 2 Israelis wounded when grenades hit IDF patrols south of Zahrani River; grenade attacks on IDF patrols in Sidon and Nabatiya market. US gunships Garcia and JF Kennedy and A-6 Intruder bombers pound mountain positions near Beirut.