Thursday, March 21, 1985

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In visit to settlers in Katif, DM Rabin asserts Gaza "must remain an inseparable part of the state of Israel" [JTA 3/22].

Other Countries: Pres. Reagan indicates US willingness to meet with joint PalestinianJordanian delegation (as proposed by Pres. Mubarak) as long as it contains no PLO members; reiterates opposition to direct US role in peace talks [WP, WSJ 3/22].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Car stoned in Nablus; no injuries [JP 3/22].

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF cross 1st-stage withdrawal line, raid Humin al-Tahta, Jabaa, Sarba, Jal al- 'Arab, Rumin, Ankun, Kafr Malki, Kafr Fila; 23 killed, including CBS journalists Tawfiq Ghazawi, Bashir Matni (killed when IDF tank fired upon their car, marked as a camera car); 32 homes destroyed; resistance forces engage IDF; 1 Israeli wounded. IDF also raid Srifa, Janata. IDF soldier wounded 3/8 dies [NYT, JTA, WP 3/22, NYT 3/23]. Roadside bombs explode near IDF vehicles near Ma'roub, 'Arab Salim, al-Bazouriya; no injuries. SLA patrol fired upon near Jarjoura; no casualties [JTA 3/22].

Other Countries: Alia Royal Jordanian Airlines offices in Rome, Athens, Nicosia bombed; 5 employees injured; Black September claims responsibility [TS 3/22].