The Palestine Chronology

Allied bombers attack 10-mile column of thousands of Iraqi troops and as many as 1,000 vehicles as they move in southern Kuwait; allied command says it is not apparent whether Iraqis are regrouping or massing for attack [WP, NYT 2/1].

Saudi and Qatari forces, backed by U.S. artillery retake Saudi border town of Khafji, capture 167 Iraqi soldiers [WP, NYT, LAT 2/1].

Envoys from France, Algeria, Yemen, and Iraq arrive in Iran on separate diplomatic missions designed to end Gulf war; Iran tells Iraq it will hold on to Iraqi airplanes until end of war [WP, NYT, LAT 2/1].

Israeli F.M. David Levy outlines possible 5-point post-war plan, linking Israel's discussion of Palestinian issue with simultaneous bilateral peace talks with Arab nations [WP 2/1].

Pres. Mubarak affirms that 45,000 Egyptian soldiers would not be used to attack Iraq [LAT 2/1].

Rocket and artillery clashes between Israel and PLO fighters in S. Lebanon continue; radio stations call it "mini-war"; Israel says PLO is trying to open 2d front in war [NYT, LAT 2/1].

Iraq fires SCUD missile at Israel; it disintegrates in flight, falling debris lands in West Bank [NYT, LAT 2/1].

State Dep't. official says that about 70 acts of terrorism have been committed against U.S. and allied interests outside U.S. since Gulf war began; most are small property damage [NYT, LAT 2/1].

Red Cross convoy carrying 19 tons of emergency medical supplies for Iraqi civilians crosses from Iran into Iraq; 1st such mission since war began [LAT 2/1].

War toll according to allies includes: 30,000 sorties flown; 23 allied planes lost, 18 in combat; 11 Americans killed in action; 161 Iraqi prisoners; 59 Iraqi planes destroyed. Iraq claims to have shot down 180 allied aircraft; captured 20 prisoners; and that 320 civilians and 90 soldiers have been killed [LAT 2/1].

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]. 

U.S. Gen. Schwarzkopf says there are 39 Iraqi aircraft on Iranian soil, many being flown there recently. He also says allied planes have recorded 26 air-to-air combat kills while flying over 22,000 sorties [NYT, LAT 1/28]; allied command reports about 65% of Iraq's airfields are still operational, that 20% of Iraqi radar is back in operation [WP 1/28].

Egypt's Deputy F.M. Boutros Ghali says his country "is not in favor" of the destruction of Iraq nor of its present gov't., reminds U.S. that Egyptian support ends when troops reach Iraqi border with Kuwait [NYT, LAT 1/28].

Sec. Baker says Saudi Arabia will contribute $13.5 billion to the war effort; contribution is for the first 3 months of 1991 [LAT 1/28].

Iranian branch of Red Crescent Society says it is sending to Iraq emergency food supplies [LAT 1/28].

Revising earlier $30 billion estimate, White House says it anticipates spending $40 to $50 billion in 1991 to fight Gulf war [WT 1/28].

Aliyah Committee reports about 16,000 Soviet Jews arrived in Israel during January, a significant drop largely due to war [IDF 1/27 in FBIS 1/29].

Charging that its civilian population had been bombed beyond "minimum of human standards," Iraqi military announces it has moved captured airmen to strategic locations to deter future allied air attacks. Pres. Bush and British officials express outrage, saying this violates Geneva Convention, and International Red Cross agrees; Bush vows to hold Saddam accountable for "brutal parading of allied pilots" on television [BADS 1/21 in FBIS 1/22; MEM 1/21; NYT, LAT, WT, WP 1/22].

Changing earlier position, Syrian D.M. joins Egyptian and Saudi gov'ts. in saying that Israeli retaliation against Iraq would not force Arabs out of coalition [MEM, WP 1/22].

Admin. officials say that simple declaration that Iraq intends to withdraw from Kuwait would not be enough to halt allied attacks; air bombardment would continue until massive withdrawal is underway, causing speculation about U.S. aims and goals of war with Iraq [NYT, LAT, WP 1/22].

Capping 5 days of talks in Israel with senior gov't. officials, Dep. Sec. of State Eagleburger speaks of Bush admin.'s admiration and "affection" for Israel, especially because of the restraint shown by Israel in not responding to Iraqi missile attacks [NYT, LAT 1/22]; Los Angeles Times reports of Israel's desire to retaliate after 1st SCUD missile attack was hindered by U.S. not providing Israel with electronic identification codes needed to tell allied and Iraqi aircraft apart [LAT 1/22].

New York Times/CBS News poll finds 82% of Americans approve of way Pres. Bush is handling Gulf conflict; 48%, though, believe war will cost more than 5,000 American lives [NYT 1/22]; Washington Post/ABC News poll finds similar results [WP 1/22].

Iraq launches 2 SCUD missiles at Saudi Arabia, 1 lands in ocean, other is intercepted by Patriot missile [MEM 1/21; LAT, WT, WP 1/22].

Iraq abrogates all existing treaties and agreements with Saudi Arabia, including a bilateral nonagression pact [BADS 1/21 in FBIS 1/22; LAT 1/22].

U.S., Saudi, British, and Kuwaiti aircraft launch attack on Iraq bombing Baghdad and other military targets in Iraq and Kuwait with massive waves of air attacks and ship-launched missiles. "We have no choice but to force Saddam from Kuwait" say Pres. Bush [NYT, LAT, WT, WP, MEM 1/17].

Hours before war erupts, French National Assembly overwhelmingly approves use of French forces for military operations; P.M. Rocard places country's 10,000 troops and 76 aircraft in Saudi Arabia under U.S. command [NYT, LAT, WP 1/17].

Israel declares nationwide state of emergency as war breaks out; schools are closed; curfew is placed on entire Gaza Strip [JDS 1/16 in FBIS 1/16; NYT, LAT, WT, WP 1/17].

Many Arab gov'ts., reportedly including Egypt, are not given advance notice of allied attack. Jordanian radio delays for 3 hours before broadcasting news that war has begun [LAT, WT 1/17].

Arab League and Gulf countries issue statements condemning 1/14 assassination of PLO's Abu lyad and others [MENA 1/16 in FBIS 1/16; WAKH, AES 1/16 in FBIS 1/17].

PLO calls for general mobilization of its forces in Lebanon; warns them to be ready to strike at U.S. interests [AFP 1/16 in FBIS 1/17].

Israeli gunboats shell inland Amal positions in S. Lebanon; no injuries are reported [BDS 1/16 in FBIS 1/17].

Protests are planned on behalf of steadily growing anti-war movement in U.S. embracing every major religious denomination in country and 9 major unions [NYT, LAT 1/11].

Arab diplomats at UN say they believe Saddam Hussein plans initiative soon after 1/15 deadline expressing support "in principle" for leaving Kuwait while simultaneously calling for international conference to address Palestinian grievances against Israel [NYT, WP 1/11].

Sec. of State Baker meets with King Fahd; they reportedly discuss timing of allied attack on Iraq [NYT, LAT, WT, WP 1/11].

New York Times reports Saudi Arabia earned roughly $15 billion in windfall oil profits from August to December, and has pledged $30 billion in Gulf-related commitments, effectively mortgaging part of future oil profits [NYT 1/11]; Kuwait has disbursed nearly $7 billion to help finance coalition effort [WT 1/11].

Congress opens debate on whether to authorize war with Iraq; Democrats accuse Pres. Bush of rushing toward use of force [LAT, WP 1/11].

Pres. Bush telephones P.M. Shamir, asks again that Israel "remain low" during Gulf crisis [WP 1/11].

U.S. Justice Dep't. orders immigration authorities to begin fingerprinting and photographing anyone entering the U.S. with a Kuwaiti or Iraqi passport as part of an effort to combat potential terrorism [MEM, WP 1/1 1].

Pres. Mubarak tells CNN that "if Iraq launched an attack at Israel without any Israeli participation [in war], she would have the right to attack it [back]" [MEM 1/11]. 

Pres. Bush sends letter to Congress calling on both houses to adopt resolution supporting use of force against Iraq if it does not withdraw from Kuwait by 1/15 [NYT, LAT, WP 1/9].

Chrmn. of House Armed Services Committee, Lee Aspin (D-Wisc.) says if war breaks out in Gulf, U.S. will attack in phases, beginning with air campaign; ground attack would be used as last resort and in final phases of fighting [NYT, LAT, WP 1/9].

F.M. Aziz arrives in Geneva, says he has come for "constructive talks," but would not bow to pressure. Sec. Baker also arrives in Geneva after spending day in successive meetings in European capitals with leaders of France, Italy, and Germany [MEM 1/8; NYT, LAT, WT, WP 1/9].

King Hussein of Jordan visits Germany to discuss Gulf crisis; he is in Bonn at the same time as Sec. Baker, but the two did not meet [NYT 1/9].

Saudi D.M. "categorically denie[s]" that 6 Iraqi helicopter pilots sought refuge in Saudi Arabia on 1/7; allies say entire incident is mix-up [MEM 1/8; NYT, LAT, WT, WP 1/9].

Israel deports to Lebanon 4 Palestinians from Gaza Strip less than 24 hours after they dropped appeals to Supreme Court [IDF 1/8 in FBIS 1/8; MEM 1/8; NYT, LAT, WT, WP 1/9].

Washington Post/ABC News poll finds most Americans want Congress to support more strongly Pres. Bush's Gulf policy (68%), but equally large majority thinks Bush should get authorization from Congress before going to war (66%) [WP 1/8]. 

U.S. officials say 6 Iraqi helicopter pilots flew to Saudi Arabia in one of most significant defections since crisis began; Iraq denies defections occurred (cf. 1/8) [INA 1/7 in FBIS 1/8; NYT, LAT, WT, WP 1/8].

Sec. Baker meets with F.M.s of Britain, Spain, Luxembourg, and Sec.-Gen. of NATO; says that coalition will hold firm even in event of war [LAT, WP 1/8]; adds that UN deadline will not be extended [WT 1/8].

White House says it will work with Congress to draft measure on use of force that can be passed before 1/15 deadline [LAT 1/8].

In Baghdad, Yasir Arafat says PLO would side with Iraq in event of Gulf war, and that idea of linking Gulf crisis to Palestinian issue was his and not Saddam's [MEM, LAT 1/8]; PLO says in event of war, o.t. Palestinians would create internal disruption for Israel if Jewish state becomes involved [WT 1/8].

FBI agents, seeking to deter possible terrorist attacks resulting from any allied military action against Iraq, begin interviewing Arab-American business leaders (cf. 1/11, 1/14) [LAT 1/8; WP 1/9].

Israeli gov't. votes down 3 motions of noconfidence brought about by decision to resume deportations. Vote is 56 to 21 with 12 abstentions [JPD 1/8 in FBIS 1/14].

In speech commemorating 70th anniversary of Iraq's army, Saddam Hussein says he is preparing nation for great battle to liberate Palestine, defeat American "tyranny," and keep Kuwait [BADS, JDS 1/6 in FBIS 1/7; NYT, LAT, WT, WP, MEM 1/7].

Israeli Air Force jets attack PFLP camp southeast of Sidon in Lebanon, killing 1 and wounding 6 others [NYT, WT, WP 1/7].

Reviewing multinational forces arrayed in Saudi Arabia, King Fahd says he believes that Saddam Hussein will withdraw his forces from Kuwait before 1/15 deadline; also defends his country's decision to invite forces into Saudi Arabia [SPA 1/6 in FBIS 1/7; NYT, LAT, WP, MEM 1/7].

Sec. Baker says the U.S. cannot endorse 1/4 French plan backed by EC because it links Iraqi withdrawal from Kuwait to settlement of Arab-Israeli conflict [NYT, WT, WP 1/7]; Baker also hints that he will give Iraqi F.M. Aziz dramatic new evidence of allied military power when they meet. Iraq's ambassador to U.S. says Baker "is welcome to go to Baghdad," but Baker says that proposal "is now off the table" [LAT 1/7].

Pres. Bush says that U.S. military action against Iraq would not necessarily begin immediately after 1/15, even if Iraqi troops had not left Kuwait; Bush meets with UN Sec.- Gen. Perez de Cuellar at Camp David [NYT, LAT, WP 1/6].

In an interview with French legislator, Saddam says he is prepared to make certain "sacrifices" in return for guarantees that Iraq will not be attacked [WP 1/8].

U.S. State Dep't. rebukes Israel for increasing its firepower in recent clashes with Palestinians and apparently abandoning moderation IDF showed last summer [NYT 1/6].

F.M.'s of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria meet in Riyadh for 2-day talks to review Gulf crisis [DDS 1/5, MENA, SPA 1/6 in FBIS 1/7; WP 1/7].

Guido de Marco, Pres. of UN Gen. Assembly, arrives in Amman after visit to o.t.; calls for swift action to convene international conference on Middle East peace, says that worsening tension in o.t. is unacceptable [ADS 1/5 in FBIS 1/7]. 

Israeli helicopters shell "resistance" targets in Biqqa Valley in S. Lebanon [BDS 1/5 in FBIS 1/7]; Israel denies incident [WP 1/6].

IDF shoots dead infiltrator; Israeli officer is wounded in clash after man is spotted crossing border from Jordan into Israel [MEM 1/7].

In move to encourage Iraq to remove its troops from Kuwait, EC endorses French plan promising Baghdad that EC will work to resolve all problems in Middle East if Gulf crisis could be settled peacefully; EC also invites F.M. Aziz to meet with 3 EC ministers on 10 January; Aziz declines [INA 1/5 in FBIS 1/7; NYT, LAT, WP 1/5].

Iraqi F.M. Aziz accepts invitation to meet Sec. Baker in Geneva on 1/9, despite "arrogant statements" he says accompanied U.S. offer; Aziz says he will press for "justice and fairness" for Palestinian cause; Pres. Bush says Iraq's acceptance of talks is "useful step," but insists no compromises will be made and that Sec. Baker will not go to Baghdad [INA 1/4 in FBIS 1/7; NYT, LAT, WP 1/5].

Bus driven by Palestinian collides with car, killing Israeli woman; bus driver is shot to death by Israeli near Gaza Strip. Palestinians and Israelis give entirely different versions of episode [IDF 1/4 in FBIS 1/4; NYT, LAT 1/5].

In nonbinding statement, UN Sec. Council formally rebukes Israel, deploring "recent acts of violence in Gaza" [MEM 1/4; NYT, WP 1/5]; Political circles in Israel criticize statement [JDS 1/4 in FBIS 1/4].

Seeking to avoid battle with Israel's supporters in Congress, Bush admin. postpones 2d part of large arms sale to Saudi Arabia, valued at $13 billion, until after Gulf crisis [NYT, LAT, WP 1/5].

Congressional General Accounting Office (GAO) says Operation Desert Shield will cost U.S. $30 billion this year even if no shots are fired [LAT 1/5].

Details of 12/31 conversation between Faisal Husseini and Mayor Teddy Kollek are published; status of Jerusalem is among topics discussed [MEM 1/4; LAT 1/5].

Washington Post reports that Palestinian fatalities in clashes with Israeli troops are rising sharply in o.t. as IDF steps up patrols and toughens its tactics [WP 1/5].

Secret agreement is reportedly reached in Islamabad between Iran and Turkey that neither will move against Iraq, effectively ruling out ground attack against Iraq from anywhere but Saudi Arabia [WP 1/16].