The Palestine Chronology

Israeli PM Rabin meets Jordan's King Hussein in Aqaba to discuss border issues. Hussein demands return of land transferred to Israel when border was moved in 1968. Rabin agrees in principle, but requires increased Jordan-Israel cooperation in return. Hussein disagrees saying return should follow fr. end of hostilities. (MM 9/29; RJ 9/30 in FBIS 9/30; ITV 9/30, AFP, IDF Radio 10/2 in FBIS 10/3)

Israeli FM Peres addresses UNGA, says Israel is fully committed to implementing the DOP in spirit and letter. (MM 9/30; Jerusalem Govt. Press Office 10/3 in FBIS 10/3)

Labor MK Kahalani submits controversial bill on special majority for Golan referendum to Knesset. PM Rabin threatens to pull out of talks with Syria if bill is passed. Golani settlers end hunger strike. (MM 9/29; QY 9/29 in FBIS 9/30; JP 10/8)

Israeli-Palestinian border crossing comm. meets at Rafah checkpoint to finalize draft agmt. for PNA administration of Allenby Bridge, Rafah crossings. (ITV 9/29 in FBIS 9/30)

Mike Guzofsky, head of Kahane Chai, New York, says he is sending delegation to Jordan to buy land for East Bank settlement, adds "If such a tiny thing, like Jews wanting to buy a little land and settle there, causes an uproar, then it's proof this isn't . . . peace." Jordan calls move irresponsible, provocative. (WJW 9/29) (see 9/16)

Guatemala announces it will move its embassy to Jerusalem. (WJW 9/29) (see 8/15)

Arab League "strongly denounces" Israeli PM Rabin's decision to build new housing in West Bank settlement, calling it a "flagrant violation" of the DOP. (MENA, RE 9/27 in FBIS 9/28)

Israeli FM Peres meets with Argentinean Pres. Carlos Menem in New York, asks him to help arrange mtg. btwn. PM Rabin, Syrian Pres. al-Asad. (QY 9/27 in FBIS 9/29)

Jordan renounces religious links to West Bank, reaffirms spiritual authority in Jerusalem in move to avoid conflict with PLO. PNA says it will assume administrative, financial duties for West Bank religious institutions next mo. (JTV 9/27 in FBIS 9/28; NYT 9/28; MM 9/28; QY 9/28 in FBIS 9/28; AFP 9/28 in FBIS 9/29; MEI 10/7; JP 10/8)

Hamas calls on its mbrs. to avoid clashes with Palestinian police. (VOP 9/27 in FBIS 9/28; WT 9/28) (see 9/24)

Arafat chairs weekly PNA cabinet mtg. announces committee will be set up to draft tax laws; says PNA will begin administering, financing Awqaf dept. in October; notes recent positive discussions with Hamas, PFLP. (VOP 9/24 in FBIS 9/26)

MK `Abd-al-Wahhab Darawshah, MK Talab Al-Sani', mbrs. of Arab Democratic Party (ADP), announce they sent Iraqi Pres. Saddam Hussein a message expressing ADP's willingness to send Arab/Jewish delegation to Iraq to meet with him, discuss peace negotiations; say they will travel upon receipt of permission fr. Iraq, even if Israeli FMin. opposes visit. (Al-Dustur 9/24, Ma'ariv 9/25 in FBIS 9/26)

Israeli border police arrest 3 Palestinian policemen in Nablus for being in the area without permits. (QY 9/25 in FBIS 9/26)

Hamas issues leaflet ordering its fighters not to engage in battles with the Palestinian police. (AFP 9/25 in FBIS 9/26)

U.S. envoy Dennis Ross arrives in Jerusalem, talks with PM Peres and FM Rabin, says "real gaps" remain btwn. Israeli, Syrian positions. Later meets with Arafat, discusses aid, elections. (MM 9/21; WT 9/22; VOP 9/22 in FBIS 9/22)

PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi, Jordanian PM al-Majali meet in Jordan, agree to resume PLO-Jordanian contacts at the "ministerial level" before end of the month. (JT 9/24 in FBIS 9/26)

Al-Qaddumi vows to fight new U.S. position in UN, strengthen language of resolutions presented. Egypt, Jordan say they will also oppose U.S. moves. (Reuters 9/21; RJ 9/26 in FBIS 9/26)

Israeli PM Rabin holds consultations on Palestinian elections with FM Peres, MK Shahal, MK Sarid, Chief of Staff Barak, IDF, police officials. Rabin, Barak want negotiations on elections only, talks on extending autonomy later. Peres, others say there is no choice but to discuss all issues simultaneously. (ITV, QY 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

Jordan's Crown Prince Hasan, Likud head Binyamin Netanyahu meet in London, discuss Jordanian, Likud views on negotiations. Netanyahu suggest Jordan, Israel reach a "strategic consensus" opposing PLO; Hassan gives no reaction. (JTV 9/21 in FBIS 9/22; MM 9/22; JP 10/1)

Arafat meets with Hamas mbrs. inc. spokesmen Mahmud al-Zahhar, Isma'il Haniyah; discusses ways to enhance national unity, safeguard security in autonomous areas; releases 3 Hamas mbrs. detained after shooting 9/17. (VOP 9/22 in FBIS 9/22; AFP 9/22 in FBIS 9/23)

IDF imposes curfew on village of Biddu nr. Ramallah after riot sparked by death 9/18 of Palestinian by IDF at roadblock. (QY 9/21 in FBIS 9/21)

Arafat approves license of pro-Islamist daily newspaper, Al-Istiqlal to be run by `Ala' al-Saftawi, `Adnan `Abu-Hasnah. (VOP 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

Israeli border police arrests 7 Palestinian policemen for being in Jerusalem area without permits. (ITV 9/21 in FBIS 9/22)

U.S. issues "angry warning" to PM Rabin to stop talks with Iraq following reports 2 Iraqi-born MK's initiated contacts in July; suggests military, economic aid is at risk. Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer admits secret negotiations with Syria over a peace treaty occurred. Rabin claims he knew nothing, Syrian government denies reports. (AFP, ITV, JP, QY 9/19 in FBIS 9/19; WT 9/23)

PECDAR concludes econ. mtg. in Cairo. PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi issues statement encouraging new mtg. of donor states, quick disbursal of aid so autonomy process is not hampered. (Al-Hayat 9/20 in FBIS 9/20)

Islamic Unification Movement issues leaflet in Gaza announcing its establishment; claims it advocates unity and coordination, does not oppose any Islamic or national faction (inc. PNA). (Al-Manar 9/19 in FBIS 9/22)

Declassified British documents admit British intelligence secretly established, ran Sharq al-Adna radio in Palestine fr. 1941-56. The station, fronted as an Arab radio, was influential during the Suez crisis, broadcasting anti-Nasir/anti-Israeli propaganda. (WT 9/19)

Arafat arrives in Cairo for the opening of PECDAR mtg.; talks with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, FM `Amr Musa on aid, mtg. with Israeli FM Peres in Oslo. (MENA 9/17 in FBIS 9/20)

Azmi Shuabi, head of PNA Sports and Youth Dept., announces negotiations with Israel on elections will begin 9/28; says date was decided during Arafat-Peres mtg. in Oslo 9/13. (CSM 9/21)

PNA declares itself sole party in charge of all Islamic sites in Jerusalem. All Islamic institutions will fall under PNA's new Awqaf Ministry to be headed by Hassan Tahboub, a pro-Jordanian. King Hussein denounces call saying he is still guardian of holy places. (JP 9/17; WT 9/18; MM 9/19) (see 8/18)

Unsigned leaflets are distributed throughout Damascus, stating "Peace is in the interests of..Syria," call on Syrians to prepare themselves for peace with Israel. (WT 9/23)

2 Hamas gunmen kill 1 Palestinian policeman in Rafah in 1st fatal clash btwn. PNA security forces, groups opposed to self-rule agmts. (AFP, VOP 9/18; MM, NYT, WT 9/19; MEI 9/23)

Palestinian military delegation arrives in Moscow for wk.-long stay, signs agmt. with Russian DMin. for delivery of 45 BT-82 armored personnel carriers, spare parts, ammunition for use by Palestinian police. (MM 9/15; Al-Hayat 9/27 in FBIS 9/29)

UNRWA approves $250 m. worth of projects for Gaza, West Bank to be implemented over the next 2 yrs. (UNRWA News 9/21)

Libya's Pan-Arab Unity Min. releases statement saying Palestinian autonomy "must be fought," bringing Palestinian-Libyan relations to new low. (MM 9/15)

Arab League FM's meeting in Cairo reject Israeli steps to give Jordan distinguished religious role in Jerusalem; pledge they will not sign NPT unless Israel signs in move planned by Syria to pressure Israel to adhere to NPT, open installations to inspection. (AFP 9/15, VOP 9/16 in FBIS 9/16) (see 8/31)

Arafat stops in Moscow for mtg. with Russian Dep. FM Igor Ivanov, says he is "deeply satisfied with the role Russia is playing" in peace process, invites Russian observers to oversee elections scheduled for 11/1. Ivanov briefs Arafat on Russian efforts on Syrian-Israeli track. (MM 9/15)

Salah `Abd al-Shafi, in charge of U.S. aid to Gaza, blames Arafat for economic delays, says "no one [in PNA] knows who is responsible for what, to the extent where foreign businessmen have to go directly to . . . Arafat . . . to make any progress with their plans." (La Tribune Desfosses 9/14 in FBIS 9/15)

French FM Alain Juppé criticizes Israeli PM Rabin's statements on Syria, Lebanon made 9/5, says "Lebanon must be the master of its destiny and sovereignty." (MM 9/14)

Arab League session opens in Cairo with speech by SG 'Ismat `Abd al-Majid praising Arab-Israeli negotiations, encouraging Israel to progress on Syrian, Lebanese tracks. (MENA 9/14 in FBIS 9/15)

PLO Political Dept. head al-Qaddumi meets with Arab FM's after Arab League opening, discusses PNA financing, Jerusalem, progress on self-rule; issues statement saying there have been no positive results in the past yr. except more Palestinians can return to their homes, occupation continues. (MENA 9/14 in FBIS 9/15)

Islamic Jihad welcomes Hamas' plan to set up Islamic party, says it will take part in elections, hinting Islamic party may become umbrella for all Islamist groups. (HA 9/16 in FBIS 9/20) (see 9/7)

Gaza military court sentences Palestinian policeman to 7 yrs. in jail for selling his M-16 rifle to a Palestinian civilian. (AFP 9/14 in FBIS 9/15)

Israeli PM Rabin publicly outlines timetable for early withdrawal fr. Golan for 1st time: proposes initial "very slight" pullback for 3 yrs. (preserving all settlements) in exchange for full normalization of relations, inc. exchange of ambs. Syrian FM al-Shara` replies Syria is ready for a "warm peace," but long period of withdrawal is unacceptable. (MM 9/8; ITV 9/8 in FBIS 9/14; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 9/9; JP 9/17)

IDF says it will change patrol routes in southern Gaza after study shows 1 soldier wounded in earlier attack was shot accidently by Palestinian police. New roads will be built for IDF use only; joint patrols will "only meet at junctions." (HA 9/8 in FBIS 98)

Arafat meets with Hamas leaders for 1st time, says PNA will give financial aid to Islamic University in Gaza, a Hamas stronghold. (AFP 9/8 in FBIS 9/9; JP 9/17)

Israeli FM Peres says Orient House is open for political meetings with diplomats, contradicting previous government statements. (Al-Hamishmar 9/8 in FBIS 9/8)

IDF arrests 1 settler fr. Qiryat Arba, 1 fr. Hebron on charges of harassing Arabs. (IDF Radio, QY 9/8 in FBIS 9/9; MM 9/9)

Hizballah fires on IDF patrol in Marj `Uyun in southern Lebanon, kill 1 soldier. 2 hrs. later, 2 Lebanese civilians wounded by IDF retaliatory fire. (ITV 9/8 in FBIS 9/9; WP 9/9; WJW 9/15)

Palestinian police release 10 Islamic Jihad mbrs. arrested 9/6. (QY 9/8 in FBIS 9/9)

American Jewish Comm. release survey showing 77% of American Jews approve of Israel's handling of peace negotiations; 53% believe PLO's true intent is to destroy Israel; 44% believe Palestinians are interested in "lasting peace." (Near East Report 9/19)

200 released Palestinian prisoners clash with Palestinian police in Jericho, protest their conditions. (AFP 9/4 in FBIS 9/6)

Vatican announces decision to establish official ties with PLO. (VOP 9/3 in FBIS 9/6)

Arafat appoints Hakam Bal'awi chief of Palestinian intelligence/security services to rein in quarrelling heads of security branches. (HA 9/4 in FBIS 9/6) (see 8/30)

Morocco, Israel announce they will open liaison offices in Tel Aviv, Rabat, making Morocco 1st Arab country to establish official ties with Israel since Egypt. Morocco also to open liaison office in Gaza, but diplomatic contacts with PNA will still go through Tunis. (MM 9/1; NYT, WP, WT 9/2; NYT 9/4; WJW 9/8)

Israeli FM Peres tells Arafat that Pakistani PM Bhutto may enter Gaza after all. Pakistan say it is too late to reschedule visit. (MM 8/31; QY 8/31 in FBIS 8/31; JP 9/10)

Schools open for classes in West Bank under PNA control. (NYT, WT 9/2)

Palestinian police release last 4 Hamas mbrs. being held for 8/14 attack. (AFP 9/1 in FBIS 9/2)