The Palestine Chronology

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)

King Hussein returns home fr. trip to Morocco, UK, Germany, Ireland. (JTV 2/20 in WNC 2/24)

FBI chief Louis Freeh arrives in Jordan to discuss extradition of Hamas political leader Musa Abu Marzuq, raising speculation the U.S., Israel prefer to deport him to a 3d country. Freeh arrived in Amman fr. Israel, is heading to Egypt. (NYT 2/21; SA 2/22 in WNC 2/25; al-Ra'i 2/24 in WNC 2/26; JP 3/1; MEI 3/7) (see 2/11)

ILMG closes 2-days of talks on death of 1 Lebanese civilian, wounding of 2 others during IDF shelling 2/18; blames Israel for the death. (RL 2/19 in WNC 2/20; RL 2/20 in WNC 2/21; RL 2/20, 2/21 in WNC 2/24; al-Nahar 2/21, RL 2/22 in WNC 2/25)

IDF mine explodes in s. Lebanon, killing 1 Lebanese civilian. (RL 2/21 in WNC 2/24)