The Palestine Chronology

Pres. Clinton hosts luncheon for fmr. Israeli PM Shimon Peres, Leah Rabin, widow of assassinated PM Yitzhak Rabin. (MA 11/23 in WNC 11/26; NYT, WT 11/24; MM 11/25; NYT 11/26; WJW 11/27)

Palestine Report says that Israel is considering a plan to use Har Homa settlement for military housing. (PR 11/21)

Iraqi Dep. PM `Aziz makes unexpected visit to Syria, marking 1st trip by top Iraqi official since Baghdad, Damascus severed ties 17 yrs. ago; proposes reopening Iraq's oil pipeline to Syria. (WP 11/22; SATN 11/22, al-Dustur, Saudi Arabian Television 11/23, SA 11/24 in WNC 11/26; MM 11/24, 12/1; WT 1/8)

UNSCOM inspectors return to Iraq. (CSM 11/21; NYT, WT 11/22) (see 11/20)

In East Jerusalem, unidentified gunmen fire on 2 rabbinical students, killing 1, seriously injuring the other. (MM, NYT 11/20; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/21; WJW 11/27; PR 11/28; JP 11/29)

Citing lack of evidence to convict, Israel's State Attorney's Office, IDF decide not to prosecute the 3 PA policemen arrested 7/14. They will be held as administrative detainees. (IDF Radio 11/20 in WNC 11/25)

Following talks with Russia, Iraq announces it will allow UNSCOM inspectors to resume their search for weapons of mass destruction. Pres. Clinton says he will "wait and see whether [Saddam Hussein] does, in fact, comply." Russia promises Iraq it will push for easing of sanctions. (MM, WP 11/20; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/21; al-Dustur 11/21 in WNC 11/27) (see 11/18)

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)