The Palestine Chronology

Israeli Cabinet Secy. Dani Nave resigns to run for a Knesset seat in upcoming elections. He will be replaced on the PISMC by Tomer Orni, head of the FMin. political team; as cabinet secy. by Gideon Sa'ar. (ITV 12/23 in WNC 12/28; YA 12/27 in WNC 12/29; Prime Minister's Report 2/1)

PA releases Hamas's Shaykh Yasin fr. house arrest imposed 10/29. Israel protests PA's alleged "revolving door" policy. (NYT, WT 12/24; MA 12/24 in WNC 12/28; NYT 12/27; PR 1/1; JP 1/4)

After Ecevit is unable to form a coalition, Turkish Pres. Demirel asks independent centrist Yalim Erez to try form a government. (WP 12/24; ATL 12/24 in WNC 12/28; ATL 1/4, ATL, MIL 1/5 in WNC 1/6) (see 12/2)

Jordan's Lower Parliament issues nonbinding statement urging the government to expel U.S., British, Israeli, Kuwaiti diplomats and ignore UN sanctions on Iraq in response to the U.S.-led attack on Iraq. Jordan's 100,000-mbr. professional associations launch campaign to boycott U.S., UK goods. (JT 12/24 in WNC 12/28)

In response to death of 6 civilians in IDF attack 12/22, Hizballah fires 20-30 rockets into n. Israel, injuring 13. (CSM, WP 12/23; NYT, WP, WT 12/24; al-Quds al-Arabi 12/24 in WNC 12/29; PR 1/1; JP 1/4)

On the 3d day of its attack on Iraq, the U.S. can confirm that only 18 of its 89 targets have been severely damaged or destroyed, despite having fired more laser-guided missiles in 2 days than during the entire 1991 Gulf War. Only U.S. planes stationed in Kuwait, Oman have flown; Saudi Arabia, Turkey have not permitted their bases to be used as staging grounds. (ATL, ITV 12/18 in WNC 12/22; NYT, WP, WT 12/19; MEI 12/25)

For the 2d day, U.S.-British strikes on Iraq prompt street protests across the Middle East. 15,000 Palestinians demonstrate in Nablus, while 1,000s of others protest in Bethlehem, Gaza City, Hebron, Jinin, Ramallah. PA police break up protest in Gaza City only; the PA closes some television, radio stations, news bureaus for reporting on the demonstrations. Syria's grand mufti denounces the U.S.-led operation. Pro-Iraq demonstrations are held in Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, Morocco, Yemen. (MM 12/18; SANA 12/18, al-Ra'i 12/19, JT 12/20 in WNC 12/22; NYT, WT 12/19; MEI 12/25)

Fmr. UNSCOM cheif inspector Scott Ritter claims that UNSCOM head Butler chose sites for inspection that he knew would provoke the Iraqis, then ordered halt to inspections on 12/13 to meet U.S. bombing time table; also says that the White House national security staff helped draft Butler's 12/15 report to ensure it contained sufficiently tough language to justify an attack. Butler denies showing his report to the U.S. in advance of its release, but National Security Adviser (NSA) Sandy Berger admits Butler briefed him personally 12/13. (WT 12/19; WP 12/20; MENA 12/20, al-Akhbar, MA 12/21 in WNC 12/22) (see 12/16)

PA police arrest 4 leading Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) mbrs., 8 journalists at march marking PFLP's 31st anniversary. (NYT, WT 12/19)

Knesset approves additional NIS 20 m. to fund expanding settlements in the West Bank, Golan. (PR 1/1)

Egypt's Pres. Mubarak arrives in Ankara for 2-day talks with Turkey's Pres. Demirel on boosting political, economic cooperation. (MM 12/7; MENA 12/9 in WNC 12/11)

Arafat attends ceremony in Sweden to mark the 10th anniversary of his 1988 Stockholm visit in which he "renounced terrorism," sought to revive the peace process. In his speech, Arafat says that he has not set a deadline for declaring a state, that any Palestinian state wound not make alliances with parties hostile to Israel. (WP 12/7)

Nr. Ramallah, IDF breaks up demonstration by 300 Palestinians protesting Israel's release of criminals 11/20, new conditions to Wye implementation issued 12/2; injures 14. 5 Palestinians are injured in similar clashes in Bethlehem. PA Prisoners' Affairs M Hisham `Abd al-Raziq, 1,700 Palestinian prisoners begin hunger strike. (WT 12/6; WP, WT 12/7; MM 12/9; MEI 12/11; PR 12/18)

IDF demolishes 5 Palestinian homes, animal pens in Jiftlik nr. Nablus. (PR 1/8)

Israel carries out 1st stage of FRD. (MM 11/20; YA 11/20 in WNC 11/23; NYT, WT 11/21; RE 11/22 in WNC 11/24; MEI, PR 11/27)

Israel releases the 1st 250 Palestinian prisoners. (MM 11/20; NYT, WP 11/21; AFP, RE, YA 11/22 in WNC 11/24; YA 11/26 in WNC 11/30; MEI 11/27)

Israel, Britain sign a 10-yr. military cooperation pact aimed at facilitating joint research in defense technologies, especially naval high-tech, unmanned aerial vehicles. (JP 11/30)

Italian court rejects Turkey's request for extradition of Kurdish separatist leader Abdallah Ocalan, citing law that bars extradition to country that has the death penalty. Ocalan, head of the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK), is freed fr. custody but ordered to stay in Rome. Turkey orders boycott of Italian goods in protest. (RAI Televideo Teletex 11/20 in WNC 11/23; NYT 11/21; ATL 11/21 in WNC 11/24; WP, WT 11/22; MM 11/23; NYT 11/24; CSM 11/30) (see 11/12)

Israeli FM Sharon, PA cheif negotiator Mahmud Abbas meet at the Israeli FMin. in Jerusalem to discuss final status talks, progress of the PA-Israeli comms. on the economy, Gaza port, FRDs. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/19; ITV 11/20 in WNC 11/23)

Israel, the PA finalize procedures for Gaza airport. (ITV 11/19 in WNC 11/20; MM 11/24)

The PA runs text of the 5/98 Palestinian Weapons Control Law in Palestinian local newspapers. (MEI, PR 11/27)

In Amman, PC Speaker Ahmad Qurai` meets with Crown Prince Hassan to discuss final status negotiations. (Petra-JNA 11/18 in WNC 11/19, 11/20)

Israel complains that the U.S. is blocking its sale of Falcon air surveillance system, Arrow missiles to India. (ITV 11/18 in WNC 11/19)

Russia says that it is prepared to sell Syria hundreds of millions of dollars worth of military hardware; expects bilateral arms trade to be worth $5 b. over the next 5 yrs. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS 11/18 in WNC 11/19; al-Quds al-Arabi 12/2 in WNC 12/7; ITV 12/24 in WNC 12/28)

Israeli PM Netanyahu admits that 2 Israelis arrested in Cyprus 11/7 are Mossad agents but says that Israel was not spying on Cyprus or on Turkey's behalf. (ITV 11/18 in WNC 11/20)

IDF evicts settlers fr. hilltop nr. Keddumim, but takes no action against settlers who set up 6 mobile homes on hill nr. Halamish. (WT 11/19) (see 11/17)

U.S. continues preparations for strike on Iraq, including deployment of stealth, B-52 heavy bombers. Regarding a diplomatic resolution, White House spokesman Joe Lockhart says "We have made clear this is no time for negotiations." Damascus Declaration states (Bahrain, Egypt, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, UAE) issue statement saying that Saddam Hussein alone bears responsibility for consequences of his refusal to cooperate with the UN. (MM 11/12; MENA, Radio Qatar, al-Rayah, RE, SANA, SATN 11/12 in WNC 11/13; NYT, WT 11/13)

Israel begins accepting bids for settlement construction at Har Homa/Jabal Abu Ghunaym in East Jerusalem. (MM 11/12; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/13; MEI 11/16)

At Rafah airport, Israeli, PA teams practice security procedures for checking passengers. (WT 11/13)

Italian police arrests PKK leader Ocalan when he arrives in Rome on flight fr. Russia. Turkey asks for his extradition. (WP 11/14; WP 11/15; NYT, WP 11/17) (see 11/4)

Israeli FM Sharon sends envoy to Cairo with message for FM Musa on Wye implementation. No details are released. (MENA 11/9 in WNC 11/12)

Despite U.S. opposition, Turkey begins work on pipeline that will carry natural gas fr. Iran, Turkmenistan to Europe. (IRNA 11/9 in WNC 11/13) (see 10/29)

Turkey sends 20,000 troops into n. Iraq in pursuit of Kurdish rebels expelled fr. Syria since the 10/20 Turkish-Syrian security agmt. (WT 11/11)

Israel, PA hold security mtg. to discuss coordination in wake of 11/6 car bombing. Israel asks PA to ban Islamic Jihad, Hamas as political groups. PA refuses. (AP [Internet] 11/8)

Islamic Jihad's Damascus spokesman takes responsibility for 11/6 car bombing, but Gaza headquarters denies it. PA says it has jailed several mbrs. of Islamic Jihad, closed a nursery school in Bethlehem run by the group. (NYT, WP 11/8; SA 11/8 in WNC 11/13; NYT 11/9; JP 11/16) (see 11/6)

Cyprus arrests 2 Israelis caught in a sensitive military area, charges them with spying on behalf of Turkey. (ITV 11/7, MA, QY, YA 11/9 in WNC 11/12; WP, WT 11/8; MM, NYT 11/9; MM 11/10; WJW 11/12; NYT 11/13) (see 6/17, 11/2)

In Gaza, an IDF jeep intercepts a car bomb, absorbing the blast before it can ram a settler school bus. IDF seals the Gaza Strip. Hamas claims responsibility. PA places Shaykh Yasin under house arrest, detains more than 100 alleged Hamas activists. (MM 10/29; AFP, IDF Radio 10/29 in WNC 10/30; ITV, JTV, QY 10/29 in WNC 11/2; MM, NYT, PCHR, WP, WT 10/30; SA 10/30, JT 10/31, al-Ahram 11/2 in WNC 11/6; NYT 10/31; PR 11/6; JP 11/9; MEI 11/16)

In Ankara, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Kazakhstan, Turkey, Turkmenistan, U.S., Uzbekistan sign a "political declaration of support" for construction of a Baku-Ceyhan pipeline. (Interfax 10/29 in WNC 11/2; MM 11/6) (see 10/22)

Arafat returns to Gaza. (NYT, WP 10/29)

In Jericho, PA military court sentences 4 military intelligence officers to prison terms of 3-4 yrs. for raiding Fatah office in Ramallah 10/25. (AFP [Internet] 10/28; PR 10/30)

IDF lifts curfew on Palestinians in Israeli-controlled Hebron. (AP [Internet] 10/28; PR 11/6)

In Damascus, Syria, Turkey hold follow-up security mtg., plan to meet again in early 11/98. (ATL, SATN 10/28 in WNC 10/29) (see 10/20)

Egypt upgrades its diplomatic mission in Iran. (WP 10/29)

Amal attacks an SLA patrol in s. Lebanon, wounding 4 SLA mbrs. (VOL 10/29 in WNC 11/2)

Pres. Clinton, King Hussein rejoin Wye talks. By evening, some agmts. have been reached, others are near. Over dinner, King Hussein gives an "impassioned speech," calling on Arafat, Netanyahu to keep making progress. Egypt's Mubarak phones Clinton to discuss the talks. (MM 10/22; VOA 10/22 in WNC 10/23; ITV, MENA 10/22 in WNC 10/26; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/23; JT, JTV, al-Ra'i 10/22, Shihan 10/24 in WNC 10/23 [dates as published]; JTV 10/22, IDF Radio 10/23 in WNC 10/26; NYT 10/25)

State Dept., White House meet with major U.S. oil companies to press them to build a pipeline to bring Caspian crude fr. Azerbaijan to Turkey, avoiding Russia, Iran. Oil companies do not believe the region can export enough oil in the nr. future to justify the $3.7-b. project, which the U.S. does not want to fund. (WP 10/28; MEI, WP, WT 10/30) (see 10/21)

An Israeli court orders 3 border policemen detained on suspicion of having shot at a Palestinian van 10/18. (WP 10/23) (see 10/21)

Israeli police arrest a mbr. of a right-wing Jewish group for carrying out 7 knife attacks on Palestinians in Jerusalem btwn. 11/97 and 5/98, killing 1. (AFP [Internet] 10/22)

U.S. announces plans to present a text outlining what it believes to be the points of accord btwn. Israel, the PA reached thus far, which could be signed as a partial agmt. Fearing an ultimatum, Netanyahu threatens to send his delegation home, holds conference call with Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations to mobilize its support in an anticipated public row with the White House. Clinton cancels plans to return to Wye, Albright suspends U.S. participation until Netanyahu agrees to resume security talks. After several hrs. of security talks involving CIA Dir. Tenet, Netanyahu agrees to stay. (MM 10/21; IDF Radio, ITV 10/21 in WNC 10/22; ITV 10/21 in WNC 10/23; al-Akhbar, ITV 10/21, Globes [Internet] 10/22 in WNC 10/23; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/22; ITV, al-Quds 10/22 in WNC 10/26; MM, WP 10/23; WP 10/24; NYT 10/25; MEI 10/30)

The U.S. asks Israel to investigate 2 incidents in 3/98 (3/10, 3/13) in which the IDF shot Palestinians, raising the issue for the 1st time under a U.S. law that can limit foreign aid when troops abuse human rights. (WP 10/22)

During morning rush hr., Jewish settlers block traffic at 3 major junctions in the West Bank to protest possibility of a compromise agmt. with the PA. (WP 10/22)

To block a rider on an unrelated issue, Pres. Clinton vetoes a bill that would pay $1 b. in late dues to the UN. Although a separate spending bill has been passed to pay the UN enough to allow the U.S. to keep its voting rights in the UNGA, UN Secy. Gen. Kofi Annan says that the UN feels "deceived," having carried out reforms demanded by Congress in exchange for payment of U.S. arrears. (NYT, WP 10/22)

Saying it impedes the ability of the pres. to conduct foreign policy in the interest of national security, Pres. Clinton signs a determination waiving legislation that allows property held by a foreign state to be subject to legal claim, blocking the Flatow's attempt to take possession of 12 Iranian holdings. (Federal Register 11/2) (see 9/27)

U.S. grants Turkey $823,000 in technical assistance to help plan its part of a proposed oil/gas pipeline linking Azerbaijan with the Turkish port of Ceyhan. (WP 10/23) (see 5/14)

At Wye, Pres. Clinton, King Hussein meet with Arafat, Netanyahu. Talks break at 1 a.m., having made little progress. On the sidelines, FM Sharon meets with reps. of Victims of Terror (see 10/18). Clinton phones Egyptian pres. Mubarak to brief him on talks. (MM 10/20; AFP, RJ 10/20 in WNC 10/21; ITV, MENA 10/20, al-Ahram, MA, RJ 10/21 in WNC 10/22; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 10/21; al-Quds 10/21 in WNC 10/23; al-Ra'i 10/21 in WNC 10/26; NYT, WP 10/25)

Israeli Finance M Yaakov Neeman says that Israel will not pay the costs of redeployment fr. the West Bank, money "should come from abroad." (WT 10/21)

Hamas claims responsibility for 10/19 grenade attack in Beersheba. PSF detains 20 alleged Hamas mbrs. in PA-controlled Hebron. (AFP 10/20 in WNC 10/22; NYT, WP, WT 10/21; LAW 10/22; PR 10/23)

Overnight, shots are fired, Molotov cocktails thrown at IDF post in Hebron, causing no damage or injuries. (IDF Radio 10/20 in WNC 10/21)

After 2-days of talks, Syria, Turkey reach agmt. under which Syria promises to halt all support to the PKK; arrest, bring to court any Kurdish rebels found in its territory; deny entry to PKK leader Ocalan, who, according to Turkish PM Yilmaz, has been in Russia for over a wk. (ATL 10/20, ATL, HUR, MENA 10/21 in WNC 10/22; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/21; MM, NYT, WP 10/22; al-Ahram, MENA, RJ 10/22 in WNC 10/23; SATN 10/22, MIL 10/23 in WNC 10/26; MIL 10/23 in WNC 10/27; MEI 10/30) (see 10/19)

In s. Lebanon, SLA opens fire on a civilian car, injuring 1. In a separate incident, a child is injured by IDF shelling. (RL 10/20 in WNC 10/21)

A Palestinian throws 2 grenades at a bus stop in Beersheba, Israel, injuring 64 Israeli civilians, soldiers, 3 of them seriously. Salim Rajab al-Sarsur, an alleged Hamas mbr. fr. PA-controlled Hebron, is detained by Israeli police. (MM 10/19; AFP, IDF Radio, MENA 10/19 in WNC 10/20; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/20; al-Dustur, IDF Radio, MA, SA, SANA, YA 10/20 in WNC 10/21; JTV 10/20 in WNC 10/22; WJW 10/22; JP 10/29; MEI 10/30)

At Wye, PM Netanyahu suspends all but security talks in light of Beersheba attack. Pres. Clinton cancels fund-raising trips for 10/20+n21, returns to Wye. Jordan's King Hussein flies fr. the Mayo Clinic to the airport nr. Wye, confers with Secy. Albright by phone, but does not join talks. Israeli pres. Weizman, Egyptian pres. Mubarak are also on standby. Syrian pres. Asad phones Mubarak to discuss Wye mtgs. (JTV 10/19 in WNC 10/20; MENA, SATN 10/19, al-Ahram, al-Dustur, HA, JTV, YA 10/20 in WNC 10/21; NYT, WP, WT 10/20; ITV 10/20 in WNC 10/22; WT 10/21; PR 10/23; MM 10/30; MM 11/10)

Turkey, Syria open security talks in Adana. (MM 10/19; ATL 10/19 in WNC 10/20; ATL, MIL 10/20 in WNC 10/21) (see 10/15)

After a brief 3-way mtg. at the White House, Pres. Clinton, Arafat, PM Netanyahu, their delegations head to Wye Plantation in Maryland for negotiations. (MM, WJW 10/15; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/16; YA 10/16 in WNC 10/19; al-Akhbar 10/16 in WNC 10/20)

Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Jordan's King Hussein discuss Wye talks by phone. In Cairo, Jordanian PM Tarawnah briefs Mubarak on Crown Prince Hassan's mtgs. with Arafat (10/12), Netanyahu (10/14). (MENA 10/15 in WNC 10/16; JTV 10/15 in WNC 10/19)

Lebanese parliament elects (118-0, with 10 absentees, including Druze leader Junblatt, his bloc) Gen. Lahoud as Lebanon's new pres. He will take office 11/24. (MM 10/15; RL 10/15 in WNC 10/16; SATN 10/15 in WNC 10/19; al-Nahar 10/15, RL 10/18 in WNC 10/20; NYT, WP, WT 10/16; RL 10/16 in WNC 10/19; al-Ittihad 10/18 in WNC 10/23; IRNA 10/19 in WNC 10/21; MM 10/28) (see 10/13)

Turkey rejects Syrian offer to discuss water sharing, says Syria must first drop support for Kurdish separatists. (NYT, WP 10/16; HUR 10/16 in WNC 10/19) (see 10/14)

PSF detains 2 Israelis outside PA negotiator Abbas's home in al-Bireh. The Israelis, who turn out to be settler security guards dressed in civilian clothes, claim they entered th PA area to pursue stone-throwers. (PR 10/23)

30 Jewish settlers led by a Molodet party MK occupy a vacant Palestinian home in East Jerusalem, sparking scuffles with Palestinians. 100 Israeli policemen are brought in to quell the disturbances. (IDF Radio 10/15 in WNC 10/19; NYT 10/16; PR 10/23)

Unidentified assailants fire bomb several Palestinian homes in Bethlehem, seriously damaging 1. Palestinians blame local Jewish settlers. (AFP [Internet] 10/17)

PM Netanyahu, FM Sharon stop in Amman to brief Crown Prince Hassan on talks with the PA before heading to Washington. (MM 10/14; RJ 10/14 in WNC 10/15; NYT 10/14; JTV, al-Dustur 10/15 in WNC 10/17; YA 10/18 in WNC 10/20; MM 10/19; al-Watan al-Arabi 11/6 in WNC 11/12)

1,000s of right-wing Israelis outside PM Netanyahu's home demonstrate against FRD. (ITV 10/14 in WNC 10/16)

Turkey announces preparations for talks with Syria. (MENA 10/14 in WNC 10/15; MIL, Sabah 10/14 in WNC 10/16; IRNA 10/19 in WNC 10/20) (see 10/13)

The UN secures the Taliban's agmt. to hold talks with Iran in Jiddah, Saudi Arabia, toward ending the military standoff along their common border. (WP 10/17) (see 10/8)

Nr. Nablus, a Palestinian boy is critically injured, his mother lightly wounded when a munition fr. an IDF firing range 700 meters away that had landed unexploded in the family's olive grove detonates. (Infopal News Bulletin [Internet] 10/14)

Construction begins on 1,200 new houses for Jewish settlers in the West Bank. Contractors claim the new buildings are an expansion of Alei Zahav settlement, which is over a mile away. Alei Zahav has 330 residents (90 families). (Infopal News Bulletin [Internet] 10/15)

PA, Israeli security teams work on draft security MOU. (QY 10/15 in WNC 10/16) (see 10/6)

Unidentified gunmen open fire on 2 Israelis at a spring nr. Jerusalem, killing 1. IDF places curfew on the nearby Palestinian village of Walaja. (MM 10/13; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/14; MA 10/14 in WNC 10/16; CSM, WJW 10/15; JP 10/29)

Turkish DM Ismet Sezgin says that PKK leader Ocalan has left Syria, that Syria has closed some PKK camps, which could help defuse tensions. Meanwhile, Ocalan tells PKK mbrs. to prepare for end to cease-fire on Turkey (see 9/1). (ATL, MIL 10/13 in WNC 10/14; MM, WP, WT 10/14; MENA, MIL, VOA 10/14 in WNC 10/15; ATL 10/15 in WNC 10/16; HUR 10/19 in WNC 10/20; MED Television 10/19 in WNC 10/22) (see 10/12)

Lebanese parliament amends the constitution to allow the election of Gen. Lahoud as the next pres. on 10/15. Only 4 legislators, all associated with Druze leader Walid Junblatt, opposed amending article 49, which requires senior public employees to leave their posts 2 yrs. before seeking the presidency. (RL 10/13 in WNC 10/14; WP, WT 10/14; al-Quds al-Arabi 10/14 in WNC 10/27) (see 10/5)

Israel eases closure on the occupied territories, allowing 25,000 Palestinian workers, 8,000 businessmen into Israel; but says it will not be lifted until after Washington talks. The curfew on Palestinians in Israeli-controlled Hebron, imposed 9/30, is lifted. (HA [Internet] 10/13; ITV 10/14 in WNC 10/16; NYT 10/15; MEI 10/16)

In Amman, Arafat consults with Crown Prince Hassan on upcoming Washington talks. (RJ 10/12, al-Dustur 10/13 in WNC 10/14)

Egyptian FM Musa shuttles btwn. Ankara, Damascus to mediate their dispute. Turkey, Syria say that they see signs of defusing the crisis. (MM 10/12; ATL, al-Hadath, MENA, SATN 10/12, MENA 10/13 in WNC 10/14; WP, WT 10/13; AFP, MENA, Sabah 10/13, SA 10/14 in WNC 10/15; MEI 10/16)

In Tehran, Iran, Turkey set up comm. to demarcate their common border. (IRNA 10/12 in WNC 10/14)

Syrian FM Shara` meets with Pres. Mubarak, publicly expresses Syria's "sincere" wish to settle differences with Turkey. (MENA, RE, SATN 10/10, al-Bayan, al-Dustur 10/11 in WNC 10/14; WT 10/11; MEI 10/16)

In s. Lebanon, 2 Hizballah mbrs. are killed in a clash with the IDF. (VOL 10/11 in WNC 10/14)

PM Netanyahu meets with his security cabinet to discuss upcoming Washington talks; for the 1st time presents Ms with 2 2d FRD maps. (ITV 10/8 in WNC 10/14; NYT 10/10)

U.S. envoy Ross, Palestinian-Israeli Steering and Monitoring Comm. (PISMC) heads Saeb Erakat and Dani Nave discuss security at Gaza airport. (ITV 10/8 in WNC 10/14)

U.S. Asst. Secy. Indyk phones Syrian FM Shara` fr. Cairo to discuss crisis btwn. Syria, Turkey. Shara` calls on the U.S. to adopt a clear stand, back mediation efforts. Indyk publicly calls on Turkey to exercise self-restraint, then heads to Jordan to brief Crown Prince Hassan on Albright trip. (MENA 10/8 in WNC 10/9; SATN 10/8, RJ 10/9 in WNC 10/14)

In Moscow, Arafat briefs Russian Pres. Boris Yeltsin, PM Yevgeny Primakov, Duma Chmn. Gennady Seleznev on his recent mtgs. with Pres. Clinton, Secy. Albright. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS 10/8 in WNC 10/14)

Iran reports clash with Taliban troops along the border with Afghanistan, marking the 1st significant military incident in their 2-mo.-old standoff. Taliban denies any clash took place. 270,000 Iranian troops are facing 10,000 Taliban troops along the border. (NYT, WP, WT 10/9; MEI 10/16) (see 9/12)

Iranian FM Kharrazi arrives in Syria for talks with senior officials on lowering tensions with Turkey. (IRNA, SANA 10/8 in WNC 10/9; MM 10/9; IRNA, SANA 10/9 in WNC 10/14)

In a ceremony attended by Israeli mayor of Jerusalem Ehud Olmert and 50 mbrs. of the Ateret Cohanim settler group, 3 Jewish settler families move into a home in East Jerusalem. Israel also announces that 150 new housing units will be added to Ma'ale Mikhmas settlement nr. Ramallah. (AFP 10/9 [Internet])

In continuing clashes in Hebron, IDF troops open fire, killing a Palestinian protester, seriously wounding a news photographer, 20 other Palestinian protesters. (MM 10/8; CSM, NYT, PR, WT 10/9; WP 10/10; MEI, PR 10/16; JP 10/29)

Secy. Albright holds 2d round of mtgs. with Arafat, Netanyahu. Netanyahu then heads to Ariel settlement for celebration marking Ariel's new city status (see 6/11) also attended by DM Mordechai, Infrastructures M Ariel Sharon. (MM 10/6; ITV 10/6, JT 10/7 in WNC 10/8; NYT, WP 10/7; ITV 10/7 in WNC 10/9; NYT 10/8; PR 10/9; MEI 10/16; JP 10/17)

CIA Dir. George Tenet meets with Israeli, PA officials on security MOU. Israel, PA reach understanding on long-delayed opening of Gaza industrial park after an FRD agmt. is finalized, discuss forming an "anti-incitement" comm. (WP 10/8; ITV, QY 10/13 in WNC 10/15; MEI, PR 10/16) (see 9/8)

While Egypt's Mubarak shuttles btwn. Turkey's Demirel in Ankara and Syria's Asad in Damascus, Turkish PM Mesut Yilmaz cancels leaves for all troops, gives Syria a "last warning" on support for Kurdish separatists. (MM 10/6; ATL, ESC Television, INA, ITAR-TASS, MENA 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MENA, al-Sabil, SATN 10/6, ATL, al-Dustur 10/7 in WNC 10/8; CSM, MM, WP, WT 10/7; ATL, HA, HUR, Iran News, al-Liwa', MENA, MIL 10/7, ATL, MIL 10/8 in WNC 10/9; MM 10/8; MA 10/9 in WNC 10/14) (see 10/5)

In s. Lebanon, Hizbullah mbrs. detonate roadside bombs as an IDF convoy passes, killing 2 soldiers, wounding 6. (MM 10/6; WT 10/7; JP 10/17)

Secy. Albright, envoy Ross, Asst. Secy. of State Martin Indyk arrive in the Middle East to prepare for talks in Washington beginning 10/15. Albright meets with Netanyahu, then travels to Gaza to meet with Arafat. (MM 10/5; HA [Internet], WT 10/6)

Turkish pres. Demirel postpones mtg. with Egyptian pres. Mubarak that was set for today. Jordan's Crown Prince Hassan phones Demirel to urge him to find a diplomatic solution to crisis with Syria. (MM 10/5; ATL, JT, RJ, RL 10/5 in WNC 10/6; IRIB Television, JTV, Petra-JNA, SATN 10/5, IRNA, Petra-JNA, Sabah 10/6 in WNC 10/7; CSM 10/6; MEI 10/16) (see 10/4)

In a mtg. with outgoing Lebanese pres. Ilyas Hrawi in Damascus, Syrian pres. Asad taps army chief Gen. Emile Lahoud as the next Lebanese pres. Lahoud is widely considered to be an incorrupt, popular "new face," untainted by politics and unlikely to draw the military into the government. (RL, SANA 10/5 in WNC 10/6; AFP, RL al-Safir, SANA 10/5, RL, VOL 10/6 in WNC 10/7; MM, WP, WT 10/7; RL 10/7 in WNC 10/8; RL, RMC 10/8 in WNC 10/9; al-Watan al-Arabi 10/9 in WNC 10/15; Petra-JNA 10/11 in WNC 10/14; MM 10/12; MEI 10/16)

In s. Lebanon, Amal detonates 2 bombs as an IDF-SLA patrol passes, killing 1 IDF soldier, wounding 4. (AFP, RL, VOL 10/5 in WNC 10/6)

Egyptian pres. Mubarak meets with Syrian pres. Asad in Damascus on 1st leg of shuttle aimed at reducing avoiding military conflict btwn. Syria, Turkey. Syria also accepts Iran's offer to mediate. To reassure Syria, Israel scales back its routine maneuvers in the Golan. (IRIB Television, Radio Kuwait, SATN 10/4, ATL, MENA, RL, VOA 10/5 in WNC 10/6; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; HUR, Sabah 10/5, MA, al-Quds 10/6 in WNC 10/7; al-Quds al-Arabi 10/5 in WNC 10/14; MM 10/6, 10/7; WP 10/8) (see 10/3)

U.S. holds 1-day naval exercise with Algeria as part of a quiet effort to rebuild ties; says maneuvers are a reward to Algeria for allowing foreign groups to investigate human rights allegations, not backing of it's war against Islamists. However, State Dept. says that "we're not going to . . . join their war until we're sure they are for reform and the human rights situation gets better." (WP 11/12)

Clashes btwn. Palestinians, IDF continue in Hebron, spread to Halhul. IDF says curfew will remain in place indefinitely. PSF arrests 2 prominent Hamas activists, 10 other suspected Hamas mbrs. in Hebron. (ITV 10/4 in WNC 10/6; HA [Internet] 10/6; PR 10/9)

Jewish settlers at the Ma'ate Hever settlement nr. Hebron move their boundary fences to enclose another 7 acres of Palestinian land. (MEI 10/16)

Israel seals borders with the occupied territories to prevent what DM Mordechai claims are plans for an "unprecedented, horrific" attack by Hamas. (MM 10/2; ITV 10/2 in WNC 10/6; WT 10/3)

Syria calls for dialogue with Turkey on security issues, accuses Israel of being behind Turkey's recent belligerent tone. (MM 10/2; SANA 10/2 in WNC 10/5; Sabah, SATN 10/2, ATL, JT, SA, SATN 10/3 in WNC 10/6; WP, WT 10/3; NYT 10/4; Anatolia 10/5 in WNC 10/7) (see 10/1)

A British analysts claims that Israel is the government referred to in a passage of the Starr report (see 9/19) in which Lewinsky testified that Clinton said that he suspected a foreign emb. of tapping his phones. The analyst claims that Mossad installed the tap after the FBI began looking into reports of an Israeli mole, Mega, in the administration (see 5/6/97); used its recordings of more than 30 sexually explicit calls btwn. Lewinsky, Clinton to force Clinton to call off the Mega investigation. A Washington source confirms that Israeli bugging, blackmail halted the FBI hunt. (MEI 10/2; see also MM 9/18)

In Hebron, 7 Palestinians are injured as clashes with the IDF continue. (WT 10/3)

Jewish settlers fr. Yitzhar settlement nr. Nablus fire on Palestinians in the neighboring village of Burin. In East Jerusalem, settlers throw molotov cocktails at a Palestinian home causing light damage. (PR 10/9)

In Cairo, Arafat briefs Pres. Mubarak on his talks with Pres. Clinton, Secy. Albright; discusses idea of holding international summit on the peace process. (MENA 10/1 in WNC 10/2)

Turkey sends 10,000 troops to its border with Syria. Pres. Suleyman Demirel threatens "counter" Syrian support Kurdish separatists. (ATL 10/1 in WNC 10/2; HUR 10/1, ATL 10/2 in WNC 10/5; HUR 10/2 in WNC 10/6; MM, WP, WT 10/2; MM 10/6; MEI 10/16) (see 9/30)

El Al confirms that the cargo plane that crashed in Amsterdam in 1992 carried DMMP with the permission of the U.S. Dept. of Commerce. (Globes [Internet] 10/1 in WNC 10/2; NYT, WP 10/2; al-Bath 10/2 in WNC 10/6; WP 10/3; MEI 10/16) (see 10/1)

Palestinians, IDF troops clash in Hebron for 2d day, injuring 8 Palestinians. (HA [Internet], WP 10/2)

Turkey's national security council discusses accusations that Syria is aiding the PKK; considers imposing diplomatic, economic sanctions on Syria. (WT 9/30; MIL, Zaman 10/1 in WNC 10/6; NYT 10/4) (see 9/1)

In Hebron, an unidentified Palestinian throws 2 grenades at an IDF post, wounding 13 soldiers, 11 Palestinians, 1 Israeli border policeman. IDF shoots, wounds the attacker, who flees into PA-controlled territory. IDF reimposes curfew on Palestinian residents in Israeli-controlled area of the city. (ITV 9/30 in WNC 10/2; LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/1; CSM 10/2; WJW 10/8; PR 10/9; JP 10/10)

In Biddu, West Bank, 100s of Palestinians clash with IDF troops after the funeral of the alleged Hamas mbr. killed 9/29. 6 Palestinians are injured. (MM, WP 10/1)

Dutch newspaper NRC Handelsblad reports that the El Al cargo plane that crashed in Amsterdam in 1992 was carrying 3 of the 4 chemicals used to make sarin nerve gas, including 50 gallons of dimethyl methylpohsphonate (DMMP). According to the plane's cargo manifest, the chemicals were sent fr. a U.S. factory in Pennsylvania to the top secret Israeli Institute for Biological Research. (ITV 9/30 in WNC 10/2; MM, WT 10/1; NRC Handelsblad 10/3 in WNC 10/6; WT 10/7; JP 10/10; Sunday Times [London] 10/4; MEI 10/16)

In New York, Secy. Albright meets with PM Netanyahu, Arafat, Egyptian FM Musa, Lebanese PM Hariri. Arafat, Musa also meet. (MENA, RL 9/26, MENA 9/27 in WNC 9/29; WT 9/28; MEI 10/2)

Turkey upgrades its diplomatic relations with Iraq to the ambassadorial level in response to a U.S.-backed agmt. btwn. the KDP, PUK (see 9/17), which it fears will encourage Kurdish separatists in Turkey. (ATL 9/26 in WNC 9/29; NYT, WT 9/27; MM 10/1; MIL 10/3 in WNC 10/14 MM 10/9)

In Maryland, Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Abdullah meets with executives fr. 7 U.S. oil companies to discuss allowing them back into the kingdom for the 1st time since the Saudi oil industry was nationalized in 1973. (WP 9/30; MEI 10/2)

Iran resumes maneuvers on the border with Afghanistan. (WP, WT 9/27) (see 9/16)

The state-owned Israel Aircraft Industries wins a $71-m. contract with Turkey to upgrade 48 Turkish F-5 aircraft. (MM 9/25; JP 10/3)

In s. Lebanon, 2 SLA mbrs. are wounded in a clash with Hizballah. In 2 other incidents, 2 Lebanese civilians are wounded by IDF shelling. (VOL 9/25 in WNC 9/28; VOL 9/26 in WNC 9/29)

U.S. special envoy Ross arrives in the Middle East for the 1st time in 4 mos. (WT 9/9; WP 9/10; MEI 9/18)

CIA offers the PSF Israeli modifications to the 12/97 memorandum of understanding (MOU) on Israeli-PA security cooperation rejected by PM Netanyahu. (MM 9/11)

In Amman, PA negotiator Abbas briefs Crown Prince Hassan on talks with Israel. (Petra-JNA 9/8 in WNC 9/9)

Turkish PM Yilmaz meets with Arafat in Ramallah. (MM 9/8; JP 9/19)

The Lebanese army breaks up an armed clash btwn. Amal, Hizballah mbrs. nr. Sidon. (VOL 9/8 in WNC 9/9) (see 5/10)