The Palestine Chronology

Arab League, Bahrain, Morocco, UAE announce that they will not attend the Doha economic summit. Oman says it will send a low-level delegation. Israeli FM Levy says Israel will send a delegation, but he himself may not attend as previously planned. Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Saudi Arabia, Sudan, Syria already have said that they will not attend. (MENA, Radio Oman [Muscat] 11/12 in WNC 11/14; CSM, NYT 11/13)

Israel lifts quotas on Palestinians working in Israel. (YA 11/12 in WNC 11/14)

In Amman, Jordanian security arrests an Israel Arab businessman on suspicion of being a Mossad agent. The man's office is located in the same building as Hamas leader Mishal's. (YA 11/12 in WNC 11/14)

UNSC votes unanimously to ban international travel by Iraqi officials, to postpone review of sanctions until Iraq cooperates with UNSCOM by allowing Americans on inspection teams. Resolution does not threaten use of force, but U.S. Amb. to the UN Bill Richardson says U.S. is considering a military option. In the last 10 days, Iraq has turned back UNSCOM teams with American mbrs. 9 times. (NYT, WP, WT 11/13) (see 11/2)

U.S. says that over the past wk. and a half, it has moved 4 F-16s fighters, 5 KD-135 tankers to Incirlik air base nr. Adana, Turkey, to expand monitoring of n. Iraq no-fly zone. (WP 11/12)

U.S. special envoy Ross extends his stay in the region after Israel, PA agree to hold informal mtg. at Amb. Indyk's residence. Israeli team will be led by DM Mordechai, Netanyahu personal atty. Yitzhak Molho. PA side will be led by Local Government M and PISMC head Erakat, Culture M `Abid Rabbu. (MM 5/13; YA 5/13 in WNC 5/14)

In Amman, Norwegian FM Godal meets with King Hussein. (RJ 5/13 in WNC 5/14; JTV 5/13 in WNC 5/15)

Israeli amb. to Jordan Eran, quits after 8 days on the job because he was not informed about the 5/8 mtg. btwn. PM Netanyahu, King Hussein until 1 hr. before it happened; hopes that his resignation leads to improved relations btwn. Netanyahu's office, the FMin. (MM 5/13; JTV 5/13 in WNC 5/15; CSM 5/14; JP 5/24) (see 5/5)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak travels to Morocco for talks on the peace process with King Hasan. (WT 5/14)

Turkish PM Erbakan postpones indefinitely joint naval maneuvers with Israel. (Analtolia [Ankara], ITV 5/13 in WNC 5/14; MM 5/14; IGPO, SANA 5/14 in WNC 5/15; al-Nahar 5/14 in WNC 5/19) (see 5/1)

Labor party mbrs. vote down a proposal (37% for, 63% against) to create the post of party pres. for fmr. PM Peres, defer further debate until 9/97 (well after the new party leadership is selected 6/3). Decision heralds end of Peres's formal leadership of the party, is seen as victory for party rival IDF Chief of Staff Barak. (MM, NYT 5/14; YA 5/14 in WNC 5/15; JP 5/24)

In testimony before Congress regarding domestic and international terrorism, FBI Dir. Louis Freeh states that several Middle Eastern "terror groups" (including Hamas, Hizballah) "have placed supporters inside the U.S. who could be used to support an act of terrorism here." (WP 5/13)

After discussions with MKs, Netanyahu approves the construction of 6,500 housing units for 30,000 Israelis at Har Homa in East Jerusalem. (MM 2/19; CSM, MM, WP, WT 2/20; YA 2/20 in WNC 2/21; MM 2/21; MA 2/21 in WNC 2/24; MM 2/27) (see 2/18)

IDF demolishes 2 buildings nr. Nablus in area B, 1 of which belongs to the UNRWA. In recent mos. most homes demolished by the IDF have been in area C, the rest in area B. Almost 300 Palestinian homes have been demolished since the signing of the Declaration of Principles in 9/93. (al-Hayat al-Jadida 2/20 in WNC 2/24; PR 3/28)

Arafat makes 1-day visit to Anakara, Turkey; heads to Russia for 2-day official visit. (WT 2/20; WJW 2/27; MM 3/3)

Jordan's King Hussein's 2-day visit to Morocco, heads to Ireland for official visit. (RJ 2/19 in WNC 2/20; JTV, London Press Association 2/19 in WNC 2/21)

The FBI announces that David Tenenbaum, a mechanical engineer working for the army, has informed the Bureau that, for the past 10 yrs., he has "inadvertently" passed classified military information to Israeli officials. FBI, Defense Investigative Service say they are investigating, but have not filed charges. Israel denies any wrongdoing. (NYT, WT 2/20; ITV 2/20 in WNC 2/24; JP 3/1)

IDF arrests a Lebanese shepherd n. of the self-declared security zone, takes him and his flock to s. Lebanon. (RL 2/19 in WNC 2/20)