The Palestine Chronology

In s. Lebanon, Amal detonates roadside bomb as SLA vehicle passes, killing 2 SLA mbrs., wounding 1. (RL, VOL 10/31 in WNC 11/4)

In Cairo, Russian FM Primakov announces that Dep. FM Posuvalyuk has been named to the new posiition of Russia's special envoy to the Middle East, on a par with U.S. special envoy Ross, EU special envoy Moratinos. Primakov also outlines 12-pt. "code of conduct" for achieving peace. (MENA 10/30 in WNC 11/3; MENA 10/31 in WNC 11/4; JP 11/8)

Iraq forbids entry to 2 American UNSCOM mbrs. (see 10/29)

Afghanistan's Taliban, the militia which controls 2/3 of the country, says that it is holding Saudi dissident and alleged "terrorist financier" Osama Bin Laden under house arrest. (WP 10/31) (see 7/31)

At FM Levy's request, Israeli inner cabinet meets to try to decide on a unifed negotiating position for FM Levy to take to Washington for much-delayed talks with PA negotiator Abbas. (MM 10/29; IDF Radio, QY 10/29 in WNC 10/30; ITV 10/29, 10/30 in WNC 11/3; CSM, MM, NYT 10/30; MM 10/31; YA 11/2 in WNC 11/4; WP 11/3)

Russian FM Primakov arrives in Egypt for 2-day visit--the last stop on his regional tour. (MM 10/29; MENA 10/29 in WNC 10/30; MENA 10/30 in WNC 11/3)

Al-Shuhada Street in Hebron partially reopens to Palestinian civilian traffic. (WP, WT 10/30)

41 yrs. after Israeli border policemen killed 49 Palestinians in Qufr Qassim on the day the 1956 war began, Israeli Tourism M Moshe Katsav returns to the village to give official apology. On departing, he is booed by villagers. (MM 10/30)

U.S. agrees to sell China nuclear technology after China promises to stop aiding Iran's nuclear development program. (WP 10/30)

Iraq orders all 10 American UNSCOM mbrs. to leave the country and the U.S. to cancel planned U-2 intelligence flights. (MM 10/31; CSM 11/3) (see 10/23)

In Amman, Russian FM Primakov meets with King Hussein, Crown Prince Hassan. (ITAR-TASS [Moscow], JT, RJ 10/28 in WNC 10/29; MM 0/19; RJ 10/29 in WNC 10/30)

Iraq, Syria hold water talks in Damascus, again urge Turkey to join in 3-way discussion. (INA 10/28 in WNC 10/30; al-Thawra 10/31 in WNC 11/6) (see 10/22)

At the close of 4 days of mtgs., Iran, Lebanon have signed 4 agmts. covering land and maritime transport, dual taxation, boosting trade, encouraging investment btwn. the 2 countries. Iran also agrees to request to provide Lebanon with crude oil at preferential prices. (SA 10/29 in WNC 10/30; see also MM 10/27, IRIB Television [Tehran] 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

PC mbr. Musa Abu Sabha is detained by Israeli police at Gaza checkpoint for driving a car reported stolen in Israel. PA atty. gen. demands that Abu Sabha's immunity be lifted, but PC Legal Council refuses, saying that he cannot be tried while in Israeli detention, he must be extradited to PA. (PR 11/7)

IDF demolishes 3 Palestinian homes nr. Bethlehem. (LAW 10/29)

IDF clashes with Hizballah in s. Lebanon, leaving at least 2 Hizballah mbrs. dead. (ITV 10/28 in WNC 10/29)

Russian FM Primakov arrives in Amman for 3-day visit, meets with Jordanian FM Tarawnah, then leaves for unscheduled visit to Syria. (ITAR-TASS [Moscow], SANA 10/27, MBC, RMC 10/28 in WNC 10/29; WT 10/28; MM 10/29; RL 10/29 in WNC 10/30; MEI 11/7; JP 11/8)

PM Netanyahu gives address to opening of the Knesset's winter session, which is interrupted frequently by hecklers; calls for peace with Arabs based on firm security, self-defense; vows to prevent creation of Palestinian state or return of Golan and to build more settlements. Labor Chmn. Barak gives speech, urging Netanyahu's resignation. (ITV 10/27 in WNC 10/29; MM, NYT, WT 10/28; WJW 10/30)

Yemen announces plans to send low-level delegation to Doha economic summit; says it delegation will attend only to visit "a sisterly country . . . , not to hold talks with the Israeli government." (JTV 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

Israel warns Holland that it may expel diplomat Ferdinand Schmidt if he does not stop criticizing Israel in the media. (IDF Radio 10/28 in WNC 10/29)

In Beirut, 2 bombs, one at the American University of Beirut (AUB) and one at a newly completed bus station, explode, causing no injuries. The bombing at AUB, which occured just hrs. after a reception for AUB's new pres., marks the 1st attack on a foreign institution in Lebanon in 4 yrs. (NYT 10/28; MBC, RL, RMC, VOL 10/28 in WNC 10/29; MM 10/29; RL  10/29 in WNC 10/30; al-Quds al-`Arabi 10/29, RL 10/30 in WNC 11/3; WP 10/30)

Russian FM Primakov arrives in Israel for 2-day visit, meets with PM Netanyahu, FM Levy. (IDF Radio, ITAR-TASS [Moscow], QY 10/26, Interfax [Moscow], ITV 10/27, YA 10/28 in WNC 10/29)

PA's Arafat, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Yemen's Pres. Ali `Abdallah Salih hold talks on peace process in Cairo. (MENA 10/26, RE 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

YESHA settlers council decides to build a new settlment west of Gush Etzion settlement nr. Bethlehem if Isarael accepts any sort of settlement freeze at the upcoming Washington talks; says general plan for the new settlement was approved in the 1970s by PM Golda Meir, but  exact location would be kept secret until the government's stand on settlements is clarified. (MM 10/27; JP 11/8)

PA Preventive Security Force arrests journalist and human rights worker Khalid al-Amayreh following the publication in an Israeli Arab newspaper of his report on the torture of Hamas activists arrested by the PA over the past few mos. (Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group press release 10/27)

Israel commutes to 24 yrs. the life sentence Alan Goodman, a dual U.S.-Israeli citizen found guilty of killing 2 Palestinians, wounding 9 at al-Aqsa Mosque on 4/11/82; releases him after he agrees to spend the remaining 8 yrs. of his sentence in the U.S. (WT 10/27; WP 10/30)

IDF shells strike medical center affliated with PFLP-GC in s. Lebanon, killing a nurse. (MM 10/27; RL 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

Russian FM Primakov begins 2-day visit to Syria, meets with Pres. Asad, FM Shara`. (ITAR-TASS [Moscow], SANA 10/25, SANA 10/26; Interfax [Moscow] 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

Jordan, PA hold talks on water, Jordan Valley development. (RJ 10/25 in WNC 10/29; MM 10/27) (see 10/20)

Lebanese PM Hariri arrives in Iran for 4 days of talks on expaning economic, political ties. (RL 10/25 in WNC 10/29; IRNA 10/25, 10/28 in WNC 10/29; MM 10/27; SA 10/29 in WNC 10/30)

In Bethlehem, Israeli police clash with Palestinians demonstrating in solidarity with Palestinian prisoners, injuring 11. Israel currently is holding some 3,000 political prisoners, a third of whom have never been tried. (WT 10/26)

Russian FM Primakov arrives in Beirut for mtg. with Lebanese pres. Ilyas Hrawi, FM Faris Buwayz. He also meets with Hizballah Sec. Gen. Hassan Nasrallah. (RL 10/24 in WNC 10/28; SA 10/25 in WNC 10/29)

UN Security Council (UNSC) passes resolution threatening to impose travel restricitons on Iraqi officials if UNSCOM is unable to certify in its 4/98 report that Iraqi has been cooperating with inspectors. (MM 10/24; MM 10/27; JT 10/29 in WNC 10/30) (see 10/15)

2-day Euro-Arab cooperation mtg. opens in Toledo, Spain. 30 experts fr. the region discuss political, economic, cultural issues. (RNE  International [Madrid] 10/23 in WNC 10/28)

In Damascus, Iraq, Syria discuss regional water sharing; express regret that Turkey refuses to participate in talks. (INA 10/23 in WNC 10/28)

Unnamed Turkish cabinet mbr. says that 8,000 Turkish troops have been deployed in n. Iraq to establish a "security zone," have installed sophisticated electronic surveillance system. Turkish FMin. does not confirm or deny, says only that Turkey has made most of n. Iraq "secure." Arab League condemns Turkey's actions. (MM 10/23; al-Ba`th, RE 10/23 in WNC 10/28; MM 10/27; MEI 11/7) (see 10/13)

In Gaza, Arafat, Israeli DM Mordechai discuss improving security cooperation, try to finalize accord on Rafah airport, but reach no  agmts. U.S. special envoy Ross observes. (NYT, WP, WT 10/22)

Unaware that a live microphone is broadcasting his statements, PM Netanyahu tells Rabbi Yitzhak Kadouri that the "people on the left have forgotten what it means to be Jewish. They think that if we . . . give [the Arabs] part of the land . . . they will look after us. Who has ever heard anything like it?" (MM 10/22; WP 10/23; MM 10/28)

In Jerusalem, U.S. special envoy Ross hosts mtg. btwn. Israeli FM Levy, Arafat adviser Abbas; encourages them to speed up subcomm. negotiations. Levy says Israel is willing to limit settlement construction to a "necessary minimum." Ross aslo meets separately with Netanyahu, Arafat. (MM 10/20; IDF Radio 10/20 in WNC 10/22; CSM, MM, NYT, WT 10/21; MEI 10/24)

Israel, Jordan agree in principle to set up a joint authority to oversee Jordan Valley development (incl. tourism, water, agriculture, industrial park projects); Israeli proposal for a Las Vegas-style tourism, commercial center in the Aqaba-Elat area. (Globes [Internet] 10/20 in WNC 10/22)

Jordan announces it will send high-level delegation to Doha economic summit. At mtg., Jordan plans to submit projects for transforming Aqaba region into free trade and tourist zone; improving water and waste-water infrastructure; enlarging petroleum refinery at al-Zarqa'; creating small industries, magnesium plant in Dead Sea area; building railway, port; developing tourist sites. (RJ 10/20 in WNC 10/22; see also JT 10/19 in WNC 10/22; RJ 10/24, JT 10/26, al-Ra'i 10/27 in WNC 10/29)

In Beirut, 2 gunmen open fire on 2 of Abu Nidal relatives, killing Omar Banna, wounding Nasireddin Banna. Lebanese officials claim the shooting stemmed fr. intra-Palestinian disputes. (WP 10/21; WT 10/22; MM 10/29)

U.S. special envoy Ross returns to the Middle East; meets separately with Netanyahu, Arafat; listens to complaints fr. both sides to try to forge compromise package/new framework for further negotiations. (WT 10/19; MM, NYT, WT 10/20)

Shaykh Yasin announces that Hamas has temporarily halted attacks on Israel; cooling-off period will last if Israel halts punitive measures against Palestinians, such as economic sanctions, closures, house  demolitions, land seizures. (WP, WT 10/20)

Israel agrees to extradite Sheinbein, must now fight appeal by Sheinbein's lawyers. (WT 10/18; NYT, WP 10/20; WJW 10/23; MEI 10/24) (see 9/29)

Japan creates $60 m. fund to support Jordan's socioeconomic development, discusses possibility of rescheduling Jordan's $72 m. debt to Tokyo. (JT 10/20 in WNC 10/22)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates roadside bomb as SLA vehicle passes, killing 2 SLA mbrs. (IDF Radio, RL 10/19 in WNC 10/22)

In s. Lebanon, 1 IDF soldier is killed, 2 are wounded when their tank is hit by what is thought to be a U.S.-made TOW antitank missle fired by Hizballah. IDF is alarmed at Merkava tank's vulnerability. (VOL 10/18 in WNC 10/22; WT 10/19, 10/22; MEI 10/24; see also YA 10/15 in WNC 10/16; MM 10/21; al-Safir 10/23 in WNC 10/30; Hatzofe 11/12 in WNC 11/14)

Israeli police announce arrest of 10 Jewish building contractors for illegal posession of 200 kg. of explosives. Contractors say they were planning to sell explosives to Palestinian quarries. Israel says explosives confiscated are same type used in recent suicide bombings. (IDF Radio 10/17 in WNC 10/20)

IDF shells Hizballah targets in s. Lebanon, wounding 1 civilian. (RL 10/17 in WNC 10/20; VOL 10/17 in WNC 10/22)

Israeli Amb. to the UN Dore Gold presents "code of conduct" that PA should adopt if it wants to resume negotiations. (WT 10/17) (see Peace Monitor)

Egypt announces that it is banning the import of Israeli goods produced in the West Bank, Gaza, Golan Heights. Origin of Israeli exports must now be certified by Egyptian embassy in Tel Aviv. (ITV 10/16 in WNC 10/20)

Germany officially protests to Israel that its amb., who has been in Tel Aviv for 18 mos., has not been received by FM Levy despite numerous requests. (YA 10/15 in WNC 10/16)

After the U.S., UK propose that the UN impose more sanctions on an increasingly recalcitrant Iraq in order to pressure it to better cooperate with the UN Special Commission (UNSCOM) in charge of overseeing the destruction of Baghdad's weapons of mass destruction, Iraq threatens to halt cooperation altogether. (MM 10/17)

Israel releases $57 m. of tax money owed the PA. (MM, WT 10/15; MA 10/15 in WNC 10/16) (see 9/28)

Israel, Jordan hold 2 mtgs. in Israel (Jerusalem, Ma'ale Efrayim) aimed at enhancing security cooperation, especially to prevent border infiltrations. (ITV, QY 10/14 in WNC 10/15; al-Ra'i 10/16 in WNC 10/20) (see 10/10)

PA prisoner dies in PA custody, reportedly as a result of a heart attack. (Palestinian Human Rights Monitoring Group press release 11/11)

IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes in al-Arub refugee camp nr. Bethlehem; also plans to demolish homes of relatives of 3 suicide bombers identified 9/23, seal home of 4th bomber. (LAW 10/14; NYT, WT 10/15)

SLA Cmdr. Antoine Lahd warns that his men are likely to turn against Israel if the IDF unilaterally withdraws fr. s. Lebanon; thinks half would joint Hizballah, half would form new anti-Israeli militia. (MM 10/14; ITV 10/14 in WNC 10/15; MM 10/17)

Israel air force attacks Hizballah radio station in s. Lebanon, causing extensive damage. (RL 10/14 in WNC 10/15)

Palestine Observer Mission at the UN announces plans to introduce a resolution in the UN General Assemby (UNGA) by early 11/97 that would deny Israel's right to represent East Jerusalem, Golan Heights, meaning credentials for Israeli reps. would have to be issued fr. Tel Aviv, symbolically cutting Israel's territory back to pre-1967 lines. The mission will also try to have its observer status upgraded to "special observer," so that reps. can participate in plenary session, on comms. and working groups. (WT 10/14, 10/17; NYT 10/24)

Jordan, Syria end 2 days of mtgs. on  water; sign minutes of mtg., agreeing to go ahead with construction of al-Wahda dam on the Yarmuk River in Syrian territory. (RJ 10/13, JT 10/14 in WNC 10/15)

After Canada receives an official apology fr. Israel for using forged Canadian passports in Mishal attack 9/25, Canadaian amb. returns to  Tel Aviv. (Radio Canada International 10/13 in WNC 10/15) (see 10/2)

Israel releases 2d batch 9 Jordanian detainees, flies them to Amman. (JTV 10/13 in WNC 10/15; CSM, WT 10/14; NYT 10/15) (see 10/6)

4,000 Palestinians attend rally in Nalbus to celebrate Shaykh Yasin's return to Gaza. (WT 10/14) (see 10/6)

Turkey begins pulling troops out of n. Iraq after its latest incursion against the PKK, which began on 9/21. (WT 10/14)

In Amman, Jordan's FM Tarawnah, Israel's Amb. to Jordan Eran discuss peace process. Israel pledges not to violate 10/94 peace treaty, particularly articles pertaining to security. (RJ 10/12 in WNC 10/15; al-Quds, al-Ra'i 10/15 in WNC 10/16)

Israel opens official inquiry into botched assassination of Hamas's Mishal. (NYT, WP 10/13; JP 10/18; ITV 11/2, 11/3 in WNC 11/4)

Jordan, Iraq discuss expanding bilateral trade under UN oil-for-food deal. (RJ 10/12 in WNC 10/15)

In the 1st legal judgement against Israel's nuclear reactor, a Tel Aviv court finds Dimona managers guilty of negligence by allowing least 3 radioactive leaks since the 1960s. (YA 10/12, QY 10/13 in WNC 10/15; WT 10/13)

IDF demolishes Palestinian home in Hula, believed to have been used in an anti-Israeli attack. (VOL 10/11 in WNC 10/15)

Roadside bomb expolodes in s. Lebanon, killing 2 SLA mbrs. (RL 10/11 in WNC 10/15)

A Jordanian trying to sneak into Israel is shot dead by the Israeli border guards. (ITV 10/11, al-Dustur 10/12 in WNC 10/15)

EU releases to Jordan $44 m. for economic reform projects. The $44 m. is part of a $110 m. package fr. the "MEDA project," an aid instrument adopted in 7/96 following the 11/95 Barcelona conference to launch EU-Mediterranean partnership. (JT 10/18 in WNC 10/22)

U.S. Defense Secy. William Cohen receives official Israeli delegation. (NYT 10/10)

In Damascus, Iran, Syria hold talks on agricultural, research cooperation. (IRNA 10/9 in WNC 10/14)

In Halhul, IDF arrests 10s of Palestinians after clash, which began when IDF troops demolished 10s of "illegal" vegetable stands along the main roads. (PR 10/17)

 U.S. Amb. to Tel Aviv Martin Indyk is confirmed as asst. secy. of state for Near Eastern affairs. He will be replaced by Amb. to Cairo Edward Walker Jr., who will be replaced by Daniel Kurtzer. (Near East Report 10/20)

Results of the vote by American Jews for U.S. delegates to the World Zionist Congress are released: Reform and Conservative slate pulls 72.7%, Orthodox 10.8%, Labor 3.4%, Likud 1.9%. (NYT 10/10)

Before dawn at Erez checkpoint, Arafat, Netanyahu meet for the 1st time since 2/9, leave without speaking to reporters. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; IDF Radio 10/8 in WNC 10/9; CSM 10/9; PR 10/10)

King Hussein reveals that 2 days before the 9/25 attempt on Mishal's life, he sent Netanyahu a letter informing him that Hamas might be ready to establish a dialogue, halt suicide attacks. Israeli officals claim that the letter reached the PM a day after the attack. Hamas denies letter was sent. Despite the statement, King Hussein phones PM Netanyahu to says that he wants to rebuild the relationship btwn. Jordan, Israel. (MM 10/8; ITV, YA 10/8, SA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM, WT 10/9; PR 10/10)

2 IDF soldiers, 1 SLA mbr. are killed, 6 IDF soldiers are wounded in clash with Hizballah in s. Lebanon. (IDF Radio, RL, VOL 10/8 in WNC 10/9; MM, NYT, WP 10/9; JP 10/18; MEI 10/24)

PA-Israeli subcomm. mtgs. resume for 1st time in 7 mos. with a security subcomm. mtg. in Tel Aviv. Joint Steering Comm. will meet once every 2 wks. to discuss progress of 8 subcomms.(ITV 10/7 in WNC 10/8)

LACC meets in Ramallah. (UNSCO press release 10/26)

In Washington, Pres. Clinton discusses status of peace process with Israeli pres. Ezer Weizman; rejects Weizman proposal for Camp David-style summit, saying sides are too far apart for success. (MM 10/8, WT 10/9; PR 10/10)

In Gaza, Hamas's Shaykh Yasin meets with Arafat; says that suicide bombings could be abandoned under certain conditions, but full truce would require full Israeli withdrawal fr. West Bank and Gaza, removal of settlements; stresses that Hamas is not challenging PA authority. (CSM, NYT 10/8)

In Beirut, Iraq, Lebanon hold talks on expanding trade, economic ties. (RL 10/7 in WNC 10/8)

In response to U.S. dipatch of an aircraft carrier to the Gulf 10/3, Iran announces that 10-day naval exercises involving more than 50 ships will begin 10/11. (NYT, WT 10/8; NYT, WP, WT 10/13; WT 10/14)

U.S. special envoy Ross holds separate mtgs. with Israeli FM Levy, Arafat adviser Abbas in preparation for Israeli-PA subcomm. talks 10/7. (NYT, WP 10/6; al-Quds 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MEI 10/10)

Hamas's Shaykh Yasin returns to Gaza, is greeted by 30,000 Palestinians at Yarmuk stadium. (MM 10/6, RJ  10/6 in WNC 10/7; NYT, WP, WT 10/7; MEI, PR 10/10; JP 10/18) (see 10/2)

Israel frees 11 Palestinian prisoners, 9 Jordanian detainees, says 50 others will be released over the next 2 wks. In exhange, Jordan allows the 8 Mossad agents (2 who carried out the attack, plus 6 who helped) involved in the assasination attempt against Mishal to return to Israel. (NYT, WP, WT 10/7; JT, JTV, MENA, RMC 10/7 in WNC 10/8; SA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/10)

After mtg. with Netanyahu, Labor Chmn. Barak says that the PM admitted approving Mishal's assassination. Though the government does not admit to the attack, the cabinet issues statement defending Israel's right to "fight terror without compromise." Newly released details suggest attackers sprayed a nerve toxin on Mishal; King Hussein threatened to break relations with Israel unless he received antidote, which Israel quickly supplied. Although King Hussein condemns the assassination attempt, he accepts the credential of the new Israeli Amb. to Jordan Oded Eran. (al-Ra'i 10/5 in WNC 10/7; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/6; YA 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MM 10/7; WT 10/10, NYT 10/17)

An explosive device detonates in a s. Lebanon field, killing a civilian woman, child. Hizballah blames Israel. (RL, VOL 10/5 in WNC 10/7)

Israeli Infrastructures M Sharon makes emergency visit to Amman, Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan makes emergency trip to Washington to discuss Mishal incident with Pres. Clinton. (WP 10/6; NYT 10/7; RJ 10/8 in WNC 10/10; al-Watan al-Arabi 10/17 in WNC 10/22)

U.S. orders an aircraft carrier to the Gulf; officially warns Iran not to stage attacks against Mujahidin al-Khalq, which violate the Iraqi no-fly zone. (NYT 10/4) (see 9/29)

Arafat flies to Amman to meet with Hamas's Shaykh Yasin. (RJ 10/2 in WNC 10/3, 10/6; CSM, NYT 10/3; JP 10/11) (see 9/30)

Canada recalls its amb. to Israel to protest Mossad's use of forged Canadian passports in the attempted assasination of Mishal 9/25. It is the 3d time Mossad hit squads have used Canadian passports. (MM, CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/3; WT 10/4; SANA 10/6, YA 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MM 10/8) (see 9/30)