In Cairo, Arab League meeting opens with introductory speeches; all 21 nation-members attend; pro-Western nations, particularly Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, dismiss Iraq's justifications for...
Bush admin. abandons policy of shooting down combat helicopters that Iraqi gov't. is using against rebels, saying they are not part of temporary cease-fire agreement. Admin. says helicopters will...
P.M. Shamir says the 10 Palestinians who met with Sec. Baker during his recent trip to Israel are unacceptable negotiating partners for Israel: "they came in the name of the PLO. Israel will...
Baghdad releases 2 U.S. POWs, 40 journalists, and hundreds of Kuwaiti POWs, as well as 1,181 who had been abducted by Iraqi troops. More than 6,300 American soldiers arrive in U.S. during 1st full...
U.S. troops begin leaving Gulf; Def. Sec. Cheney says U.S. will return average of 5,000 troops per day over next few weeks [LAT, WP, CSM 3/8; MET 3/19].
New York Times reports that Bush admin. began planning offensive campaign to remove Iraq from Kuwait as early as September 1990, despite public insistence that U.S. troops were to defend...
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In Cairo, Arab League meeting opens with introductory speeches; all 21 nation-members attend; pro-Western nations, particularly Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Syria, dismiss Iraq's justifications for occupying Kuwait and hint that they no longer regard PLO as sole representative of Palestinians [NYT, WP 3/31; MENA 3/20 in FBIS 4/1; CSM 4/1].
Palestinians in o.t. hold general strike to mark Land Day, but within Israel, Land Day strike is canceled for 1st time in years, underscoring political differences among Israel's 800,000 Arabs [NYT, WP 3/31; FJ 4/8; MET 4/9].
At news conference in Kuwait, GCC Sec.- Gen. announces member states have decided to cut financial aid to Jordan and PLO because of their Gulf war stands (cf. 4/1) [ADS 3/30 in FBIS 4/1; MET 4/9].
Palestinian military court in Sanaa sentences Hani Muhammad al-Hasan to death for the assassination of Abu Iyad on 16 January [MENA 3/30 in FBIS 4/2].
Bush admin. abandons policy of shooting down combat helicopters that Iraqi gov't. is using against rebels, saying they are not part of temporary cease-fire agreement. Admin. says helicopters will be attacked "only if they threaten U.S. forces or coalition forces" [NYT, LAT, WP 3/27].
German gov't. announces it will pay in full all monetary pledges it made to U.S. for Gulf war, increasing chances that U.S. will either "break even or make a small profit" on the war [LAT, WP 3/27].
Israeli group Peace Now publishes study asserting that gov't. has budgeted more than $500 million during current fiscal year on settlements in o.t. and related expenses. Highest official gov't. estimate on such spending is $200 million, given in report to U.S. earlier in the year [NYT 3/27].
Syrian officials says Damascus is planning to double its 20,000-member military force in Gulf as part of efforts by Arab nations opposing Iraq to strengthen security in region [NYT 3/27].
Iran and Saudi Arabia officially restore diplomatic ties [WT 3/27].
West Bank settler is killed near Ramallah in what Israeli army calls "planned attack" by Palestinians; IDF expropriates land near killing site to set up army camp [JDS 3/27 in FBIS 3/27; CSM 3/28; MET 4/9].
In Gaza, IDF paints yellow lines along major traffic arteries in Palestinian towns leading to main locations, such as Civil Admin. bldgs. Lines are intended to help direct soldiers and vehicles to safety in event of riots [YA 3/27 in FBIS 3/27].
P.M. Shamir says the 10 Palestinians who met with Sec. Baker during his recent trip to Israel are unacceptable negotiating partners for Israel: "they came in the name of the PLO. Israel will absolutely not negotiate with the PLO" [LAT, WP 3/19; JDS 3/18 in FBIS 3/19].
Shamir and other officials repudiate 3/17 statement by Ehud Olmert, saying that o.t. are not negotiable in peace talks [WP 3/19; JDS, IDF 3/18 in FBIS 3/18].
Israeli and U.S. officials reject reported offer by Yasir Arafat to participate in direct talks with Israel; Arafat is quoted making his offer in the Paris newspaper Le Figaro [LAT, WT 3/19].
Joint statement by Saudi Arabia and Iran says haii agreement has been reached, and that diplomatic relations between the 2 countries could resume soon. Relations were cut after 1987 haj when riots between Saudi security and Iranian pilgrims left hundreds dead [LAT, CSM 3/19].
The 5 permanent members of UN Sec. Council reach broad agreement on main elements of new permanent cease-fire resolution for Gulf war; resolution will set out again, but in greater detail, terms approved in 3/2 resolution 686 [NYT 3/19].
PLO's Bassam Abu Sharif is reported as having resigned over remarks attributed to him in interview on 3/13; Abu Sharif denies reports [MENA, RMC 3/19 in FBIS 3/19].
By 53-43 vote, Knesset defeats no-confidence motions brought against Israeli gov't. for failures of immigrant absorption, high unemployment, and closure imposed on o.t. [JDS 3/18 in FBIS 3/19; MET 3/26].
Baghdad releases 2 U.S. POWs, 40 journalists, and hundreds of Kuwaiti POWs, as well as 1,181 who had been abducted by Iraqi troops. More than 6,300 American soldiers arrive in U.S. during 1st full day of nonstop homecomings [LAT, NYT 3/9].
During 2 1/2-hour meeting in Riyadh, Sec. Baker outlines to King Fahd 4 U.S. policy goals announced by Pres. Bush on 3/6. King agrees to take active role in support of U.S., but offers no specific commitments [NYT, LAT 3/9; RIDS 3/8 in FBIS 3/11; MET 3/19].
Iranian Pres. Rafsanjani expresses sympathy for rebels trying to overthrow Saddam Hussein; calls for Saddam to surrender "to the will of the people" [LAT, NYT 3/9].
In interview with journalists from Morocco, Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Kuwait, Pres. Bush says PLO has "lost credibility" after siding with Iraq; Bush dismisses chances for U.S.-PLO talks any time soon [WP 3/10].
EC "troika" ministers meet with King Hussein to discuss Middle East peace proposals [ADS 3/8 in FBIS 3/8].
U.S. troops begin leaving Gulf; Def. Sec. Cheney says U.S. will return average of 5,000 troops per day over next few weeks [LAT, WP, CSM 3/8; MET 3/19].
En route to Saudi Arabia as part of 11-day Middle East tour, Sec. Baker says he will propose series of "confidence-building measures" between Israel and Arab states to open path to broader peace talks [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 3/8].
In Kuwait, at least 2 Palestinians have been shot dead and 5 others hospitalized from beatings and shootings, as Palestinians raise concerns about reprisals against their community in Kuwait [LAT, NYT, WP 3/8].
Israeli gov't. rejects Pres. Bush's call for solution to Arab-Israeli conflict that includes trading land for peace; F.M. David Levy says attempts to pressure Israel are not welcome [LAT, WT 3/8; JDS, IDF, PDS 3/7, MAA 3/8 in FBIS 3/8]; in separate statements, PLO and Egypt welcome what they call "positive elements" in Pres. Bush's 3/6 speech [AVP, MENA 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; MEM 3/7].
Palestinian journalist Taher Shriteh, jailed without charge on 1/28/91, is freed on bail after international campaign to gain his release (cf. 3/11) [NYT, MEM 3/8; AFP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11; MET 3/19].
House of Representatives votes to authorize $15.8 billion to pay for Gulf war, and also $650 million for Israel, and warns other nations that Congress "may consider appropriate action" if promised payments are not made [NYT, WP, WT 3/8].
Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar selects Switzerland's ambassador to Washington, Edouard Brunner, asspecial Middle East envoy to begin new high-priority search for solution to Arab-Israeli conflict [WP 3/8].
Palestinian leaders representing Fateh, PFLP, and DFLP, but not Hamas, meet in Jerusalem with visiting EC "troika" representatives including Italian F.M. Gianni de Michelis; EC ministers also meet with Israeli P.M. Shamir and D.M. Arens, then depart for Jordan [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; FJ 3/11; MET 3/19].
Border policeman in Nablus is stabbed, wounded; attacker escapes and army imposes curfew on Nablus and adjacent refugee camps [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/8]; 30 Palestinians are detained in Jerusalem after IDF opens fire on demonstrators [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/11].
Syria and Saudi Arabia sign wide-ranging cooperation agreement which both nations say was sign of desire to foster closer relations [MEM 3/8].
Italian F.M. de Michelis is quoted as calling for "internal revolt in the Palestinian [resistance] movement" now that PLO has "ruled itself out" of peace negotiations [MEM 3/7].
New York Times reports that Bush admin. began planning offensive campaign to remove Iraq from Kuwait as early as September 1990, despite public insistence that U.S. troops were to defend Saudi Arabia and enforce UN sanctions [NYT 3/3].
Allied officials and Iraqi refugees report chaos and near anarchy in Basra as Iraqi troops leaving Kuwait arrive [NYT, WP 3/3].
American officer reports that dozens of Iraqi tanks, perhaps lost and without communications, attacked U.S. troops in worse violation of cease-fire. American forces repel attack, destroying about 60 vehicles and capturing about 80 tanks and personnel carriers; there are no American casualties [NYT, WP 3/3].
Senior U.S. admin. officials say Washington wants to maintain much larger military presence in Gulf region than it had before Iraq invaded Kuwait in order to deter aggression against U.S. allies [NYT 3/3].
UN Sec. Council adopts, by 11-1 vote, resolution 686 which reaffirms, in more detail, cease-fire conditions imposed on Iraq (cf. 3/3) [WP, MEM 3/4].
PLO leadership meets in Tunis, calls for urgent" measures to halt attacks and arrests of Palestinians in Kuwait [TDS, AFP 3/3 in FBIS 3/4; AVP 3/3 in FBIS 3/5].
Lebanon's Pres. Hrawi warns in speech that Palestinian guerrillas will no longer be allowed to attack Israel from Lebanon: we will not tolerate the use of Katyusha rockets to provoke an invasion of this country. The liberation of Palestine cannot be fulfilled by the firing of Katyusha rockets" [NYT 3/4; MEM 3/5].
