The Palestine Chronology

Israeli, PA talks on Hebron resume for 1st time in 9 days. (ITV 12/16 in WNC 12/18; PR 12/20)

PA negotiator Erakat, Netanyahu adviser Molho meet briefly in Jerusalem to try to ease tensions that have built up since Israel's 12/13 decision to restore settler benefits. (CSM, WP, WT 12/17) (see 12/5)

Pres. Clinton criticizes Israel for planning to expand Jewish settlements in the West Bank, reinstating benefits to West Bank settlers. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/17; CSM, MM 12/18; WJW 12/19; IDF Radio, YA 12/19 in WNC 12/23; MEI 12/20; JP 12/28) (see 12/13)

IDF unseals Ramallah. (PR 12/20) (see 12/11)

In Washington, representatives of 29 nations (incl. Arab states, Brazil, Canada, the EU, Japan, the U.S.) pledge $3.2 b. toward the post-civil war reconstruction of Lebanon. The U.S. promises $20 m. over several yrs. (incl. $12 m. next yr. for education, environment). EU states pledge $1.5 b. (MM 12/16; RL 12/16 in WNC 12/17; MM, WP, WT 12/17; RL 12/17 in WNC 12/18; MM 12/18; al-Safir 12/18 in WNC 12/23; MEI 12/20; RL 12/23 in WNC 12/24; WJW 12/26; al-Safir 1/14 in WNC 1/17; CSM 1/15)

In Ankara, the 13th Iranian-Turkish joint economic commission session opens. (IRNA 12/16 in WNC 12/18, 12/19; MM 12/19)

ILMG meets at Naqura to consider a complaint by Israel regarding the launching of rockets into n. Israel 12/13. Although the Lebanese delegation does not believe katayushas actually were fired, the group concludes that at least 1 rocket, launched by an unknown party, landed in n. Israel. (RL 12/16 in WNC 12/17; RL 12/16 in WNC 12/18; RL 12/17 in WNC 12/19; MM 12/19; IGPO 12/26)

After further negotiations with the Israeli parties, PM Peres changes the date of elections to 5/29. (QY 2/20 in FBIS 2/21; MM, WP 2/21; NYT 2/22) (see 2/19)

Fmr. Likud mbr. and fmr. FM David Levy formally announces he will run for PM and his Gesher party will put up a list for parliament. This election will mark the 1st time Israelis will vote separately for the PM. (QY 2/20, JP 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MM, WT 2/21)

Fearing a backlash after the Rabin assassination, Israel's YESHA settlers' council decides not to hold militant demonstrations before the elections. (WT 2/21)

Lt. Gen. Hussein Kamel and family return to Iraq, are met at the border by Uday Hussein, Saddam's son. (MM 2/20; WP, WT 2/21; MM 2/23)

Israeli security sources say a Hizballah mbr. attempted to hang glide into n. Israel fr. Lebanon today but crashed just n. of the Israeli self-declared security zone. Hizballah denies responsibility. (ITV, RL 2/20, IDF Radio, QY, RL 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MM 2/21; QY 2/24 in FBIS 2/26)

In celebration of Id al-Fitr, Hizballah releases 3 SLA soldiers in s. Lebanon. 2 of the men were captured in 1992, the 3d in 1986. (VOL 2/20 in FBIS 2/20; WT 2/21)

First Lady Hillary Clinton hosts prominent Muslim-Americans for Id al-Fitr reception at the White House to mark the end of Ramadan. (MM 2/21; WJW 2/22)