The Palestine Chronology

Secy. of State Christopher meets PLO Chmn. Arafat at U.S. embassy in Amman. At press conference after 2-hr. mtg., Arafat appeals for U.S. pressure on Israel to meet 12/13 deadline for withdrawal fr. Jericho, Gaza. Christopher declines to get involved in Israel-PLO talks, but calls for "timely implementation" of DoP schedule and pledges "non-lethal assistance" to Palestinian police. Christopher also meets separately with Jordan's King Hussein. PM Rabin claims there is "a tacit understanding" with PLO that deadline not firm. FM Peres says he will meet Arafat 12/9 at UNESCO conference in Spain. (NYT, WP, WT 12/7)

PM Rabin calls Syrian agreemento allow U.S. investigators to search for missing IDF soldiers in Lebanon "an important step forward" and "a big window of hope for the families" of the Israeli MIAs. (NYT 12/7)

Israeli Finance M. Avraham Shohat and PLO official Ahmad Qurai' resume Paris talks on economic issues. (Qol Yisra'el 12/6 in FBIS 12/7)

Palestinian gunmen attack settler van in Qiryat Arba, Hebron, killing 2 and wounding 3. Hamas claims responsibility for attack. Settlers riot, attacking Palestinian homes and cars. (NYT, WP, WT 12/7)

IDF undercover unit kills Hamas mbr. 'Abd al-Rahman Aruri, 31, on his front porch in Arura, nr. Ramallah. (MM 12/7)

Time magazine reports that convicted spy Jonathan Pollard passed a National Security Agency listing of foreign intelligence frequencies to Israel that later was received by Soviets, ruining several b. dollars' work and compromising lives of U.S. informants. Justice Dept., security officials reportedly advising AG Janet Reno against a pardon for Pollard. (WT 12/6, 12/7; NYT 12/7)

Israel, Laos reestablish diplomatic relations in agreement signed in New York. (Qol Yisra'el 12/7 in FBIS 12/8)

Settlers demonstrate at Israel-Gaza Strip crossing points to protest 11/17 killing of IDF soldier Haim Darina, but IDF presents them fr. blocking roads. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for the attack. (MM, RMC 11/18)

PLO establishes Development and Construction Bank under World Bank supervision to receive international funds for Palestinian development. (Al-Dustur 11/18 in FBIS 11/18)

Israeli Energy M. Moshe Shahal signs agreement with Egyptian Oil M. Hamdi al-Banbi on preparations for Egypt-Israel natural gas pipeline. (Qol Yisra'el 11/19 in FBIS 11/19)

King Hussein names 23 mbrs. of 40-mbr. Jordanian senate, including frmr. PM Zaid Rifa'i and Senate spkr. Ahmad Lawzi. (MM 11/19)

French FM Alain Juppe holds talks with Syrian Pres. al-Asad at start of tour of Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, proceeds to Amman for talks with Jordan's King Hussein. (MM 11/19; SARR, JNA 11/18 in FBIS 11/18)

Israeli archaeologists in "Operation Scroll" report finding 2d century A.D. manuscripts and artifacts in Wadi Qarantal, nr. Jericho. (NYT 11/19)

West Bank settlers continue riots sparked by 10/29 killing of Beit El settler by Hamas militants. Also, Palestinian shot dead by IDF while trying to avoid roadblock at Qalqilya, West Bank, another killed by settler he stabbed. (NYT 11/1; Qol Yisra'el 10/31 in FBIS 11/1)

Ahmad al-Nahas, VP of Hilton International, announces hotel chain has been approached by Palestinian investors seeking to erect new hotel in Jericho to take advantage of new Palestinian self-governing authority. Israeli legislators also confirm that Moroccan businessmen have expressed interest in developing Israeli tourism. (CSM, WT 11/1)

PNC Dep. Speaker Taysir Qubba'a of PFLP resigns to protest DoP, failure of PLO leadership to put it to PNC vote. (MM 10/8)

Arab Lawyers' Union condemns DoP. In statement released in Cairo, group says accord denies legitimate Palestinian rights, urges world to press Israel to release Palestinian prisoners, allow return of 1967 refugees. (MM 10/8)

U.S. officials say that U.S. assistance to Palestinian autonomous entity will amount to $500 m. over 5 years, $375 m. fr. U.S. Agency for International Development (AID) and $125 m. in guarantees by Overseas Private Investment Corp. (OPIC). AID funds for FY 1994 will amount to $75 m., $48 m. fr. Economic Support Fund and $14 m. in development assistance, food aid grants, housing guarantees, and private-sector loan guarantees. (WT 10/9)

10,000 spectators attend soccer match between Palestinian and French teams in Jericho. Palestine wins, 1-0, at playing field decorated with Palestinian flags. Game features playing of Palestinian national anthem. (NYT 10/9; MM 10/11)