The Palestine Chronology

Barak holds talks with top officials, advisers regarding upcoming round of talks with Syria. Barak has not yet appointed the negotiating team, which is scheduled to begin mtgs. on 1/3. (AFP 12/27 in WNC 12/29)

The Shas party threatens to leave Barak's governing coalition if he does not approve funding in the FY 2000 budget for its religious schools, which are $24 m. in debt. If Shas shifts its 17 Knesset seats to the opposition, Barak would be left with a minority government that might not be able to win a referendum on a peace deal with Syria. (XIN 12/27 in WNC 12/29; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/28)

In Tel Aviv, annual 2-day strategic mtgs. btwn. Israel, Turkey begin. Israel assures Turkey that a peace deal with Syria would not harm Turkish interests. A Jordanian observer attends. (ATL 12/27 in WNC 12/28; ATL 12/29 in WNC 12/30)

Barak forbids the Supreme Planning Council in the Israeli Civil Administration to meet unless its agenda has been approved in advance by him or someone appointed by him. Peace activists had disclosed that the council had approved 2,757 new units in West Bank settlements despite Barak's 12/7 decision to suspend settlement expansion until 2/00 to facilitate FAPS talks. (WT 12/28)

PA military court sentences to death a PA Preventive Security Force officer Hashim Abu Nahil for the murder of Ayman Abu Nahil during a family feud on 11/23. This is the 27th death sentence issued by the military court since it was set up in 1994. (LAW 12/28; al-Quds 12/28 in WNC 12/30; al-Quds 12/29 in WNC 1/2; JP 1/7)

Arafat says final status talks with Israel are deadlocked, accuses Israel of using talks as a cover for settlement expansion, urges U.S. intervention. (WP, WT 12/4) (see 12/2)

In Nablus, 100s of Palestinians rally in support of PC mbr. Masri, who was wounded by masked gunmen on 12/1. (WP 12/4; WJW 12/9)

Elsewhere in the West Bank, IDF troops clash with 200 Palestinians demonstrating against Israeli settlement expansion, leaving 4 injured. (NYT 12/4)

Israel submits to Jordan a proposal that would allow direct ("door-to-door") transportation of goods fr. Jordan to the West Bank as of mid-1/00. (JT [Internet] 12/4)

In Irbid, 100s of Jordanians participate in a rally organized by the Islamic Action Front to urge the government to reconsider its deportation of 4 Hamas leaders on 11/21. (JT 12/4 in WNC 12/6) (see 11/26)

Several high-ranking Iranian clerics traveling to Washington on special State Dept. visas to participate in a Georgetown seminar are halted by U.S. customs officials in New York, who fingerprint, photograph, and subject them to racist insults. The delegation returns to Iran in protest. The State Dept. says only that mistakes were made. (WT 12/4) (see 11/22)

PM Barak says Israel will not accept PA demands to redraw the maps for the 2d stage of the 2d FRD. (al-Quds 12/3 in WNC 12/7)

In Cairo, Orient House head Faisal Husseini holds talks with FM Musa on the final status talks, Jerusalem. (MENA 12/2 in WNC 12/6)

Israel approves construction of another 493 new housing units in 2 West Bank Jewish settlements. (WP 12/6) (see 11/26)

In Haifa, 42 Palestinian companies hold a trade fair to market their goods to Israeli businessmen and consumers, to promote joint projects. (AYM 12/3 in WNC 12/8)

Overnight, settlers fr. Kiryat Arba uproot 400 grape vines on nearby Palestinian land. (NYT 12/3)

In Moscow for a 2-day visit, Arafat holds talks with Russian PM Vladimir Putin on the peace process; bilateral relations in education, culture, communications, transportation; developing a regular flight route btwn. Gaza, Moscow. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS 11/29 in WNC 11/30; Interfax, ITAR-TASS 11/30 in WNC 12/1)

PM Barak says that he will insist that the FAPS, due to be completed by 2/00, contain a PA promise that the refugees' right of return will not be raised again at a later time; reiterates that no refugees will be allowed to return to inside the Green Line. (MM 11/30; MM, WT 12/1)

In Jerusalem, Israeli, PA final status teams hold their 6th mtg. PA team hands Israelis a letter urging PM Barak to end Jewish settlement expansion. (AFP 11/30 in WNC 12/1; AYM 11/30 in WNC 12/2; MM, WT 12/1; MENA 12/4 in WNC 12/6) (see 10/26)

As the final status mtg. is taking place, the IDF demolishes 2 Palestinian homes, a store in al-Khader, in the West Bank, apparently as part of the expansion of Efrat settlement. (LAW 11/30; WT 12/1; MM 12/2) (see 11/26)

PA intelligence officers arrest another 3 Palestinians who signed the 11/27 statement criticizing PA corruption. (CSM, NYT, WP 11/30; SA 12/1 in WNC 12/2; MEI 12/10)

In Gaza, 35 opposition leaders representing the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, and the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine hold mtg. in support of the Petition of the 20, call on the PA to release the detainees and allow the freedom of expression. (AFP 11/29 in WNC 11/30; SA 12/3 in WNC 12/6)

In Moscow, Russian dep. FM Vasily Sredin meets with ambs. of Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, the PA, Syria and the Arab League envoy to discuss the peace process. (ITAR-TASS 11/26 in WNC 11/29)

Chmn. of China's National People's Congress, Li Peng, arrives in Israel on a 6-day visit aimed at strengthening bilateral ties, especially in military cooperation. (XIN 11/25 in WNC 11/26, 11/29; WP, WT 11/26; XIN 11/29 in WNC 12/1; AFP 11/30 in WNC 12/1; XIN 11/30, 12/1 in WNC 12/2; NYT, WT 12/2)

In Tulkarm, 600 Palestinians fr. West Bank refugee camps hold mtg. to demand that the PA to fight for the refugees' right of return during final status negotiations. (BADIL press release 11/29)

Palestinians in Gaza City strike to protest price hikes on basic goods, such as flour and gas; they accuse PA monopolies of banning imports fr. Israel, then increasing prices. PA says it will investigate. (MENL 11/25)

Turkey's court of appeals upholds the death sentence against Kurdish Workers Party (PKK) leader Abdallah Ocalan. The European Union (EU) warns that the decision may affect Turkey's chances of joining the EU. (MM 11/25; ATL 11/25 in WNC 11/26; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 11/26) (see 6/29)

In Jerusalem, U.S. spedal envoy Dennis Ross meets with Israeli FM David Levy to discuss progress on final status talks. Although they discuss differences btwn. Israel and the Palestinian Authority (PA) delaying the 2d stage of the 2d further redeployment (FRD) outlined in Wye II, Ross says the problem should be worked out btwn. the 2 sides. Later in the day, Ross meets with PA head Yasir Arafat (MM 11/16; WP 11/17; MEI 11/26)

In Amman, the PA-Jordanian joint Technical Comm. ends a 2-day mtg. on bilateral trade and economic ties. (al-Quds 11/16 in WNC 11/22)

Algeria says it will agree to establish diplomatic relations with Israel as soon as it withdraws fr. the Golan Heights, s. Lebanon, the occupied territories. (ANSA (Rome] 11/16; MM 11/19)

The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) expels 300 Palestinians fr. the caves in which they reside nr. Yatta on the West Bank, after declaring the area a closed military zone. (Gush Shalom press release 1/25; NYT 2/22)

IDF troops clash with Islamic Jihad mbrs. in s. Lebanon, killing 2 mbrs. On 11/15, Lebanese PM Salim al-Huss warned Palestinian groups that it is not in Lebanon's interest for them to stage attacks on Israeli targets in or fr. Lebanese territory. (APP 11/16 in WNC 11/21; al-Quds, al-safir 11/16 in WNC 11/22; RL 11/19 in WNC 11/23)

In Cairo, Egypt, Saudi Arabia close 2 days of higher comm. mtgs., agree to reduce barriers to bilateral trade. (MENA 11/16 in WNC 11/21) 

Israeli negotiators present Arafat with the map for the 11/15 FRD, but Arafat refuses to sign it, saying some areas are too thinly inhabited, areas do not link existing islands of PA control. (AFP 11/12 in WNC 11/15; WP 11/13)

In Ramallah, Eran, `Abid Rabbuh resume final status meetings, continue work on drafting an agenda for talks. (MM, NYT 11/11)

French FM Vedrine arrives in Damascus to follow up with Pres. Asad on Bashar al-Asad's 11/7 mtg. with Chirac regarding Israeli-Syrian negotiations. (AFP 11/11 in WNC 11/12; MM 11/12; RFI 11/12 in WNC 11/15)

First Lady Hillary Clinton visits Ramallah briefly to attend a grant-giving ceremony hosted by Suha Arafat, who gives a speech condemning Israel's occupation of the West Bank for causing ecological and health disasters. Israeli and American Jews condemn Clinton for failing to denounce Arafat's statements on the spot. Palestinians criticize Clinton's refusal to repeat her 5/98 statement supporting establishment of an independent Palestinian state. (MM 11/12; NYT, WP, WT 11/12; NYT, WP, WT 11/13)

Israeli cabinet approves plan for 2d stage of Wye II FRD. (MM, NYT 11/11)

In Beirut, Syrian heir apparent Bashar al-Asad, Lebanese pres. Lahoud reaffirm the unity of the Syrian and Lebanese tracks of the peace process, discuss resuming ties with Israel. (MM 11/11; RL 11/11 in WNC 11/12)

In Cairo, PSF West Bank head Jibril Rajub briefs Egyptian FM Musa on PA security concerns in the occupied territories. (MENA 11/10 in WNC 11/12)

Before dawn, the IDF moves into Havat Maon, forcibly evicts settlers fr. the enclave. (MM 11/10; MM, NYT, WT 11/11; CSM, MM 11/12; WJW 11/18)

First Lady Hillary Clinton arrives in Israel on a 2-day visit intended to boost her chances of winning a Senate seat in New York. (NYT, WP 11/12)

In s. Lebanon, an SLA soldier is wounded in a clash with Amal. (RL 11/10 in WNC 11/12)

Barak, Arafat hold generally positive mtg. on the sidelines of the Socialist International congress in Paris, but Barak sparks controversy afterward by saying that Israel no longer sees UN Res. 242, one of the bases of the Oslo process, as fully applicable to the West Bank and Gaza Strip. In his speech to the congress, Barak says that while Israel wants political separation fr. the Palestinian areas, "economic cooperation between us must and will continue"; calls on Syrian pres. Asad to resume bilateral negotiations. (MM 11/9; AFP 11/9 in WNC 11/10; AYM 11/9 in WNC 11/12; MM, WT 11/10; MEI 11/12)

Following the Socialist International mtg., Arafat heads to London to brief British PM Tony Blair on the status of the peace process. (LPA 11/9 in WNC 11/10)

In Paris, Egyptian pres. Mubarak holds talks on the peace process with Israeli PM Barak, condemns the PM's position on UN Res. 242. (MENA 11/9 in WNC 11/10; AFP 11/11 in WNC 11/12)

With the passage of the 2d deadline for the voluntary evacuation of 10 West Bank settlement enclaves, Israel announces that the IDF will forcibly evacuate the remaining occupied outpost, Havat Maon. Over the past few days, some 300 ultranationalist settlers have joined the 4 families originally encamped at the site, set up prefabricated houses in protest, hoping to make it impossible for the government to remove the settlement. A group of rabbis for the settlements issues a ruling forbidding the use of force against soldiers, but also calling the eviction a "crime against the Torah and the homeland." Barak cuts his trip to Paris short to return home to deal with the evacuation. (MM 11/9; NYT, WP 11/10; al-Quds 11/10 in WNC 11/12)

In Moscow, Russian FM Igor Ivanov discusses the peace process with EU special envoy Moratinos. Ivanov says Russia is willing to host a multilateral steering comm. mtg. whenever the parties agree that talks should resume. (Interfax, ITAR-TASS 11/9 in WNC 11/10)

A day before PA-Israeli final status negotiations are to begin, 3 pipe bombs explode in Netanya, Israel, lightly injuring 27 people, including a number treated for shock; a 4th pipe bomb is dismantled. Israeli police arrest and later releases 2 Palestinians on suspicion of planting the devices; no group claims responsibility for the act. Israeli authorities think the crude bombs mark the work of individual Arabs, not Hamas or Islamic Jihad; PA suggests Israel's Russian mafia may be to blame. PM Barak, PA negotiator `Abid Rabbuh condemns the bombing but says talks will not be delayed. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/8; WP 11/9; WJW 11/11; MEI 11/12)

PM Barak tells his cabinet that UN Res. 242 is not applicable to the West Bank, Gaza on the grounds that the res. deals with sovereign states and not organizations. Arafat protests. DFLP head Hawatimah urges the PA to halt talks with Israel in response. (AFP 11/8 in WNC 11/9; al-Quds 11/9 in WNC 11/12; MEI 11/12)

In Paris on his 1st high-level official visit, Syrian heir-apparent Bashar al-Asad meets with Pres. Chirac, discusses resuming Israeli-Syrian talks. (AFP 11/7 in WNC 11/8; MM, WT 11/8; SA 11/10 in WNC 11/12; MM 11/11; MEI 11/12)

U.S. Asst. Secy. of State Indyk arrives in Cairo to discuss the peace process with Egyptian FM Musa. (MENA 10/30 in WNC 11/2)

Nr. Tarqumiyya, in an Israeli-controled section of the West Bank, unidentified assailants open fire on a bus, injuring 5 Israelis fr. Kiryat Arba settlement. (NYT, WT 10/31; JP 11/5)

Israel opens the s. safe-passage route linking Gaza, the West Bank. (MM 10/25; NYT, WP, WT 10/26; WJW 10/28; NYT 10/31; JP 11/5)

In Washington, Israel's Internal Security M Ben-Ami meets with Asst. Secy. of State Indyk, special envoy Ross for talks on the peace process. (WT 10/25; MM 10/26; WP 10/27; MM 10/29)

In Gaza, British FM Robin Cook meets with Arafat. (LPA 10/25 in WNC 10/26; MM 10/26)

In Ankara to inaugurate a housing complex that Israelis have built for Turkish earthquake survivors, PM Barak pledges to boost military cooperation, economic ties with Turkey; briefs Pres. Suleyman Demirel on status of Israeli-Syrian track; discusses possible bilateral military trade, water projects. (MM 10/25; ATL 10/25 in WNC 10/26; ATL 10/25, 10/26 in WNC 10/27; MM, WP 10/26; JP 11/5)

At Rachel's Tomb in Bethlehem, an IDF soldier fatally shoots a Palestinian man. Officially, the IDF says the man came at the soldier with a knife, but a number of Palestinian witnesses claim that the solider's gun went off accidentally, and, after leading the distraught soldier away, other IDF troops planted the knife. The incident prompts demonstrations by 100s of Palestinians who throw stones, bottles at the troops, who respond by firing rubber bullets and tear gas, injuring 15. (MM, NYT, WP 10/26; MEI 10/29; JP 11/5)

Israel approves Arafat's request to allow DFLP leader Hawatimah to take up residence in the PA self-rule areas. Hawatimah currently lives in Damascus. (MM 10/25; NYT 10/26; AYM 10/28 in WNC 11/2)

The IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in East Jerusalem. (LAW, MM 10/26; MM 10/28)

According to his spokesman, PM Barak is considering plans to erect a border fence btwn. Israel and the PA areas as part of a final peace agmt. (WT 10/23; WP 10/24) (see 10/17)

CIA Dir. George Tenet arrives in Israel for a wk. of talks with Israeli, PA political and security officials on prevention of terrorism, the "Iranian threat." (WT 10/28) (see 10/1)

YESHA mbrs. dismantle another uninhabited settlement in the West Bank. They had tried to clear it earlier, but were blocked by protesting yeshiva students. 5 of the 12 illegal settlements ordered removed by Barak have been vacated. (NYT 10/23; MEI 10/29)

The London-based al-Sharq al-Awsat reports that Sabri al-Banna (Abu Nidal) has asked Egyptian pres. Mubarak to halt a crackdown on his organization. Banna claims Egyptian security services raided and shut his Fatah Revolutionary Council (FRC) office in Cairo on 9/6, confiscating papers, detaining FRC mbrs., and freezing the organization's assets, which amount to $4 m. Egypt denies the report. (SA 10/22, 10/23 in WNC 10/25; MM 10/22; NYT 10/23) (see 1/26/99)

PM Barak's office says that despite a 2/00 deadline, Israel will not begin final status talks until Barak decides on Israel's strategy, names a negotiating team. According to his spokeswoman, Barak is considering using informal mtgs., such as the secret mtg. with Arafat on 9/16, to hammer out a framework agmt. by 2/00. (WT 10/16)

Israel frees 151 Palestinian prisoners (83 fr. Gaza, 31 fr. West Bank, 37 fr. other Arab countries), completing the 2d stage of the Wye II prisoner release. (MM, WP, WT 10/15; WT 10/16; JT, MENA 10/16, DUS 10/17 in WNC 10/18; al-Quds 10/16 in WNC 10/19; JP 10/22; DUS, JT 10/24 in WNC 10/25)

100s of Palestinians in Wihdat refugee camp in Amman hold a rally in support of Hamas. 10s of antiriot, plain clothes police surround the main entrances to the camp to prevent the demonstrators fr. taking the protest outside. (JT 10/16 in WNC 10/18; AYM 10/20 in WNC 10/21)

In Luxembourg, Israeli FM Levy meets with EU FMs to discuss "reinvigorating" Israeli-EU relations. (EU press release 10/11; MEI 10/15)

A day after his cabinet gives him the permission to remove 42 settlements constructed since Wye, PM Barak approves Housing Min. tenders for new housing units in West Bank settlements. (NYT 10/12; CSM, WJW 10/14) (9/27)

Lacking sufficient evidence to prove his complicity in the 1996 Khobar barracks bombing, the U.S. deports suspect Hani `Abd al-Rahim Sayigh to Saudi Arabia, which is expected to try and execute him for the crime. The U.S. does not have an extradition treaty with Saudi Arabia, which did not want Sayigh back. The U.S. Justice Dept. refused to Sayigh's request that he be granted asylum since he would be probably executed if extradited. (NYT, WP, WT 10/12; MM 10/13) (see 10/6)

Israel, PA reached agmt. on safe-passage route fr. Tarqumiyya in the West Bank to Erez crossing in Gaza, which could open in days. Signing is set for 10/5. (MM 10/4; AFP 10/4 in WNC 10/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; AFP 10/5, QA 10/6 in WNC 10/8; CSM, NYT, WP 10/6; WJW 10/7; DUS 10/7 in WNC 10/11; JP, MEI 10/15)

Syrian FM Shara`, who has been in charge of Syria's foreign policy throughout the peace process, is admitted to a Beirut hospital for emergency heart surgery. (AFP, RL 10/4 in WNC 10/5; MM 10/5)

In Virginia, Israeli national Shalom Shaphyr pleads guilty to a charge of attempting to export U.S. defense equipment to Israel without a license. Shaphyr attempted to buy restricted video intercept equipment, designed to covertly receive electromagnetic signals fr. computers, fr. an undercover agent. (WP 10/5)

PSF releases talk show host Disouqi, who was arrested 9/15. Disouqi announces on his program that he was tortured during questioning by PA police, names his interrogators on the air, dares them to arrest him again. (LAW 10/4; NYT 10/14; WP 10/15)

A Palestinian prisoner dies soon after being transferred to the hospital fr. the PA's Hebron jail. His family accuses the PA police of torturing him during his 2 days of detention. (LAW 10/5)

Iraq's Dep. PM Tariq Aziz meets with Jordanian PM Rawabida in Amman, gives him a message (verbal by most accounts, written by some) to deliver to the U.S. No details of the message are released, but reports speculate that Iraq wants to open a dialogue with the U.S. (SA 10/5, 10/6 in WNC 10/8; WT 10/6; GIU, MM, NYT 10/7; SA 10/9 in WNC 10/12; JP 10/15; MM 10/11; MEI 10/15)

Israel, the PA delay opening s. safe-passage route linking the West Bank, Gaza after failing to reach an agmt. on security procedures; plan to resume talks on 10/4. Under the Wye II agmt., Israel, the PA were to have concluded a protocol on safe passage by 9/30, opened the route by 10/1. Israel demands that it retain sovereignty over the 28-mile route, which will follow existing Israeli roads; that it have sole control over which Palestinians could use the road; that it be able to arrest Palestinians on the road, escort busses. (AFP 10/2 in WNC 10/4; WT 10/3; AYM 10/3 in WNC 10/5; NYT, WP 10/4; JP 10/8; MEI 10/15)

In Tel Aviv, the U.S.-Israeli Defense Police Advisory Group holds its 1st mtg. on bolstering bilateral defense cooperation. (JP 10/8)

PA police release 3 Palestinian journalists after detaining them for 24 hrs. of questioning regarding articles critical of the PA that they published in the London daily al-Sharq al-Awsat. (WP 10/2)

PFLP official Mustafa returns to the West Bank after a 32-yr. exile. (HA 10/1; JP, MM 10/8; AYM 10/21 in WNC 10/25) (see 9/16)

Jordan releases al-Arab al-Yawm editor Yunis, fmr. MP Abu Zant. (JT 10/3 in WNC 10/4; MEI 10/15) (see 9/29)

Reps. of 13 West Bank Palestinian refugee camps reject the PA's order to surrender illegal weapons. The PA has reportedly arrested at least 17 residents of Balata camp for refusing to turn in their arms. (NYT 9/29; JP 10/8)

In Amman, Fatah, PFLP hold mtg. to discuss final status negotiations, democratic reform of the PLO. They do not reach an agmt. on participation in talks with Israel, but issue final statement urging all PLO factions to take part in an upcoming PLO Central Council session to discuss organizational matters, and "coming political challenges." (DUS, JT 9/29 in WNC 9/30; AYM 10/4 in WNC 10/8; AYM 10/28 in WNC 11/2) (see 9/23)

PA police in Ramallah, Gaza arrest 4 Palestinian journalists for writing stories "harmful to the PA." (AFP 9/29 in WNC 9/30; LAW 9/30; JP 10/8)

Jordanian police detain fmr. MP `Abd al-Munim Abu Zant, a Muslim Brotherhood mbr., for questioning regarding a Friday sermon and 2 articles in al-Arab al-Yam in which he condemned the government crackdown on Hamas. He is the 2d fmr. parliamentarian in a wk. to be arrested for a pro-Hamas sermon. (MM 9/30; MEI 10/15) (see 9/28)

In Los Angeles, the Anti-Defamation League (ADL) settles out of court a class-action lawsuit filed by the Arab-American Anti-Discrimination Committee (ADC) and a coalition of 800 individuals and groups accusing the Jewish organization of illegally obtaining information on them. The ADL agrees to turn over information collected by questionable means, including criminal arrest records, mug shots, Social Security and license plate numbers, and to pay the plaintiffs' legal fees. (WJW 9/30)

In New York, Israeli FM Levy briefs Secy. of State Albright on the difficulties Israel envisions in meeting Barak's ambitious timetable for the peace process. Apparently in response to Egyptian FM Musa's statement (9/26) on resumption of multilateral talks, Levy says that Israel rejects efforts to link "wider Middle East peace" to resumption of talks with Syria. (MM 9/28, 9/29; WJW 9/30)

Israeli Housing Min. reports that in the 1st 3 mos. of Barak's government, it has authorized construction of 2,600 new housing units in West Bank Jewish settlements, mostly in settlements nr. Jerusalem. Under fmr. PM Netanyahu's tenure, the ministry approved an average of 3,000 new units a yr. (MM 9/27; NYT 9/28; AYM 9/30, MENA 10/3 in WNC 10/4; MEI 10/1)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates a roadside bomb, killing a top SLA official, wounding another SLA mbr. In a separate Hizballah attack on an SLA post, 5 SLA mbrs., 1 IDF soldier, 1 Hizballah mbr., 1 civilian are injured. The IDF stages 15 air raids against Nabatiyya, Iqlim al-Tuffah during the day. (RL 9/27 in WNC 9/28; WP 9/28; VOL 9/28 in WNC 9/30)

UN General Assembly (UNGA) opens its annual session in New York. UN Secy. Gen. Kofi Annan names Terje Larsen of Norway as UN special coordinator for the Middle East peace effort and as his personal envoy to the PLO/PA. Israel protests the appointment. (MM, WT 9/21; MENA, YA 9/21 in WNC 9/24; MM, WP 9/22)

On the sidelines of the UNGA mtg., Secy. of State Albright meets with a delegation of 16 Iraqi opposition leaders who are in New York to lobby for support of their efforts to overthrow Iraqi pres. Saddam Hussein. Albright urges other UN delegates to "join us in listening to these brave, free voices of Iraq." Of the 16, 13 are mbrs. of Iraqi National Congress (INC), 3 represent Kurdish groups. (MM 9/21, 9/24, 10/4)

Israel announces approval of some 14 military orders to seal off large areas of agricultural land belonging to some 79 Palestinian villages in the West Bank. (LAW 9/30; MEI 10/15; AYM 10/21 in WNC 10/25)

Inside Israel, Arafat holds 3 hrs. of secret talks with Barak. After mtg. is leaked to the Israeli press, Barak's office says that the PM wants to establish a pattern of regular mtgs. with Arafat so that the 2 leaders can closely monitor negotiations. FM Levy, who heads Israel's final status team, is reportedly angry that he was not told about Arafat's visit in advance. (MM 9/17; NYT, WP, WT 9/18; WJW 9/23; JP, MEI 10/1)

Arafat appoints PA Culture and Information M `Abid Rabbuh to lead final status talks with Israel. Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas will oversee both the final status and interim negotiating teams, liaise btwn. teams and Arafat. Israel reportedly is not happy with the choice of `Abid Rabbuh, thinks he is an "extremist." (AFP 9/16 in WNC 9/17; WP 9/21, 9/22; MM 10/6, 10/26)

In Amman, Arafat, King Abdallah hold their 1st mtg. since the resumption of bilateral negotiations, agree to forge a common position on finals status issues. (JT 9/19 in WNC 9/21)

Barak's adviser for settlement affairs, Shilo Gal, says that some Jewish settlers in the West Bank may be forced to relocate some settlements may be dismantled under a final peace agmt. with the PA. For 20 yrs., Gal headed the Gush Etzion settlement council, which is opposed to Israeli withdrawals fr. the occupied territories. (MM, WP, WT 9/17; MEI 10/1)

Israel approves PA request to allow Ali Abu Mustafa, the dep. secy. gen. of the PFLP, to return to the occupied territories to live. (MM 9/16; WP 9/17; JP 9/24)

In Amman, Jordanian PM Rawabida, Israeli Regional Cooperation M Shimon Peres for talks on joint projects, promoting the economic objectives of the Jordan-Israel peace treaty and the greater peace process. (Petra-JNA 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

In Amman, Jordanian, Israeli communications Ms discuss bilateral ties, agree to link fiberoptic networks. (Petra-JNA 9/16 in WNC 9/17; JT 9/18 in WNC 9/21) (see 9/14)

In Beirut, retired Lebanese gen. Yasin Suwayd announces the formation of the National Comm. to Resist Normalization with Israel. (RL 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

An explosive charges goes off at a car parts store in `Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp in s. Lebanon, causing damage but no injuries. (VOL 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

In s. Lebanon, 1 IDF soldier, 1 civilian IDF employee are injured by Hizballah shelling. (AFP 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

PM Barak tours Ma'ale Adumim, which he vows will remain "forever part of Israel"; vows to "strengthen" the settlement. (Qol Yisra'el 9/14 in WNC 9/15; MM, NYT 9/15)

In Aqaba, Jordanian, Israeli transportation Ms discuss Aqaba airport expansion project, transportation of goods across their common border. (JT 9/15 in WNC 9/16) (see 9/6)

In Ramallah, FIDA, PPP, PPSF meet to discuss final status negotiations, call on PA to press Israel to halt arbitrary measures against Palestinians, Judaization efforts in Jerusalem; end all settlement activity; release Palestinian prisoners. (HJ 9/16 in WNC 9/21)

An Israeli truck driver is stabbed, wounded nr. Tapuah junction in the West Bank. IDF suspects assailants are Palestinians, imposes curfew on the area but captures no suspects. (IDF Radio 9/14 in WNC 9/15)

Israel transfers 7% (147 mi²) of West Bank land fr. area A (full Israeli control) to area B (Israeli security, PA civilian control). Under Wye II, this FRD was to have taken place on 9/5. (NYT, WP, WT 9/11) 

Israel releases 1st 199 of 350 Palestinian prisoners, 4 days late by the new Wye II timetable. (MM 9/9; NYT, WP, WT 9/10; VOA 9/10 in WNC 9/13; JP 9/17)

Israel turns over to Arafat the maps of the 1st stage of the Wye II FRD. (WT 9/10)

Israel seals borders with the West Bank, Gaza for Rosh Hashanah. (MM 9/9; NYT 9/10)

Russia signs contract to build $60-m. power station for Jordan. (ITAR-TASS 9/9 in WNC 9/13)

In Jerusalem, Erakat, Sher meet again on Wye implementation. (NYT 8/31; QA 8/31 in WNC 9/3; NYT, WT 9/1)

Jordanian security forces arrest 12 Hamas activists, close Hamas's Amman offices on the grounds that the offices were registered for use for political activities. (MBC 8/30 in WNC 8/31; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/31; MM, WP, WT 9/1; al-Ra'i 9/2 in WNC 9/3; JP 9/3; MEI 10/1)

2 Israelis are murdered by unknown assailants nr. Megiddo forrest, a nature reserve that straddles Israel, the West Bank. (MM, WP 8/31; MM, NYT 9/1; MA 9/1 in WNC 9/2)

The U.S. gives Jordan $50 m. in additional economic aid to help the kingdom reduce its debt burden, support its balance of payments. (NYT, WT 8/31)

Israeli military court finds fmr. PA policeman Ammar al-Zibben guilty of helping to carry out 2 Hamas suicide bombings that killed 26 people. Sentencing is deferred. (NYT 8/31)

A Barak aide meets with Arafat in an "urgent" attempt to reach a Wye implementation agmt. before U.S. Secy. of State Albright arrives on 9/1. Barak warns that if Israeli, PA teams fail to close a deal "within hours," he could carry out the Wye agmt. unilaterally, as he sees fit. Barak's office also issues a statement, saying that the PA is not providing "satisfactory answers" on the further redeployment (FRD) issue, prisoner release. (WP 8/30; CSM, NYT 8/31; MEI 9/3)

In Amman, Jordan, PA discuss transportation of goods btwn. Jordan, the West Bank. (RJ 8/29 in WNC 8/30)

In 2 bombs explode nr. Fatah offices in `Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp in s. Lebanon, wounding 3 Palestinians. A 3d bomb is discovered, disarmed. No one takes responsibility. (RL 8/29 in WNC 8/30)

In s. Lebanon, 4 Lebanese civilians are wounded, several homes are damaged by IDF shelling. (VOL 8/29 in WNC 8/30)

Hamas, PA officials say that PA police have detained 40 Hamas activists in Gaza, 50 in the West Bank in the last few days on charges of plotting attacks on Israelis. (HJ, SA 8/26 in WNC 8/30; NYT, WP 8/27)

PA military court sentences to death Palestinian Ayman Abu Saada for fatally injuring PA police lt. Hani Abu Zayna during a confrontation btwn. 2 families on 8/23; Abu Zayna died on 8/25. Human rights groups denounce the summary trial, capital sentence. (PCHR 8/27; AYM 8/27 in WNC 8/30; LAW 8/28; JP, MEI 9/3)

Lebanese military court sentences 29 fmr. SLA mbrs. to prison terms of 6 mos. to 2 yrs. for collaboration with Israel. 83 of the 200 SLA mbrs. who surrendered when the SLA withdrew fr. Jazzin in 5+n6/99 have been convicted. (NYT 8/27)

Amal attacks an SLA patrol in s. Lebanon, wounding 2 SLA mbrs. (RL, VOL 8/26 in WNC 8/27)

Israeli PM Barak meets with Arafat at Erez crossing to discuss Wye implementation, allay Palestinian fears that Israel will prioritize talks with Syria over negotiations with the PA. Barak asks Arafat to delay implementation of Wye FRDs until a final status agmt. is close to completion, but says he would implement Wye as signed if the PA objects. Arafat says he prefers Wye to be implemented in full as soon as possible, but agrees to Barak's request to have a PA-Israeli comm. examine ideas for a delay over the next 2 wks. before giving a final answer. (MM 7/27; MA, QA 7/27 in WNC 7/28; CSM, MM, NYT, WP 7/28; MENA 7/27, MENA, RMC, SA 7/28 in WNC 7/29; al-Quds, QA 7/29 in WNC 7/30; CSM 7/29; AYM 7/29 in WNC 8/2; MEI 7/30; JP, MM 8/6; MEI 8/20)

Israel, the PA agree to begin work on a joint industrial park, modelled on Gaza's Qarni industrial zone, to be located along the Israel-West Bank border in Jinin. (WT 7/28)

Georgia, Israel sign a memorandum of understanding on defense cooperation. (Radio Tbilisi 7/27 in WNC 7/28)

Israel, Uganda sign an agmt. to expand economic relations. (Radio Uganda 7/27 in WNC 7/29)

Hadassah, the Women's Zionist Organization of America, awards Hillary Clinton, who is considering a run for New York's Senate seat, its highest honor for humanitarian service. Some Hadassah mbrs. protest the decision to honor Clinton, given her statements in 5/98 in favor of a Palestinian state. (WP, WT 7/27; WT 7/28; WJW 7/29; see also WJW 7/15; WJW 8/5)

After 2 days of talks in Damascus, the PFLP Central Comm. recommends accepting Fatah's invitation to engage in national unity talks. (al-Dustur 7/27 in WNC 7/28) (see 7/24)

Hamas says it is not opposed to taking part in national unity talks with the PA, but says it will not take part in final status talks, since doing so would imply Hamas accepts the Oslo process. (al-Dustur 7/27 in WNC 7/28)

Jordan's King Abdallah stops in Damascus on his way home fr. Morocco to hold previously unannounced talks with Pres. Asad on strategies for reviving Israeli-Syrian negotiations. On his return to Amman, the king phones PM Barak to brief him on his talk with Asad. (JTV, RJ 7/26 in WNC 7/27; WP, WT 7/27; QA, SA 7/27 in WNC 7/28; YA 7/28 in WNC 7/29; QA 7/29 in WNC 8/2; NYT 7/30)

PC speaker Ahmad Qurai` visits the Knesset as a guest of the new Knesset speaker, Burg. (MM 7/26; MM, NYT, WT 7/27; NYT 7/28; WT, MEI 7/30; JP 8/6)

At the Knesset, Likud brings a no-confidence motion against Barak, charging that he informed Arab leaders of his peace plans before briefing his own government. Few MKs show up for the vote, and the motion fails by a large majority. (NYT 7/27)

In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak receives Turkish pres. Demirel for talks on the peace process, regional issues. (ATL, MENA 7/26 in WNC 7/27; ATL 7/26 in WNC 7/27)

The IDF enters the West Bank village of Aqaba, dismantles and removes the village's electricity system, which residents had installed at their own expense, because the Israeli Civil Administration had never provided them with electricity. (Israel Peace Bloc press release 8/5)