The Palestine Chronology

Arafat issues presidential decree delaying start of campaign period to 1/7. CEC calls on candidates to follow original campaign schedule. Nomination period is extended through 12/31 because of additional seats. Voter registration is reopened until 1/5. (JMCC, VOP 12/30 in FBIS 1/2; CSM 1/19)

1st round of Syrian-Israeli talks ends. Delegations decide to stay in Washington for further informal discussions until negotiations resume 1/3. (ITV, SATN 12/29, RMC 12/30, RMC, SARR 12/31 in FBIS 1/2; NYT, WP 12/30)

After rumors that Israel proposed an interim agmt. with Syria that would recognize the Syrian presence in Lebanon spark Lebanese-American fears of a shift in U.S. policy, Pres. Clinton issues statement reaffirming the U.S. commitment to "Lebanon's full independence, sovereignty, and territorial integrity." (MM 12/14; WJW 1/18)

Arafat issues presidential decree, calling for the establishment of an election appeals court composed of judges Zuhayr al-Surani, `Abdallah Ghazlan, Imad Salim, Sami Saba, Shukri al-Nashashibi; extends nomination period, set to close today, to 12/29. (al-Nahar 12/24 in FBIS 12/27)

Arafat arrives in Bethlehem to open the city's first Christmas celebrations under Palestinian rule. (NYT, WP, WT 12/23; CSM, WT 12/25 12/26)

Lebanese Pres. Hariri says Lebanon would be willing to negotiate a separate peace deal with Israel but would only sign it when an overall agmt. with Syria had been reached. (AFP 12/23 in FBIS 12/26)

In Cairo, Egyptian Pres. Mubarak meets separately with Syrian Pres. Asad, Israeli FM Barak in preparation for the opening of Syrian-Israeli negotiations 12/27. After the mtg., in his 1st public statement on resuming talks with Israel, Pres. Asad says Syrian negotiators will go into the talks with no preconditions. (WT 12/24; RE 12/23, ITV 12/24, 12/25 in FBIS 12/26; JP 12/30)

PA temporary election commission extends deadline for accepting nomination applications for president, Palestinian Council to midnight 12/23. (VOP 12/23 in FBIS 12/26)

Arafat issues presidential decree forming the Central Election Commission (CEC) to replace the temporary election commission. Groups such as the Palestinian Centre for Human Rights immediately criticize the high percentage of Fatah mbrs. on the CEC, which is supposed to be entirely independent, with mbrs. chosen fr. among judges, academics, lawyers. (VOP 12/22 in FBIS 12/22)

PM Peres says Israel would be prepared to close its nuclear program if there was a regional peace in the Middle East, but does not admit Dimona is a nuclear facility. (NYT 12/23; ITV, QY 12/22, ITV 12/23, ITV, QY 12/24 in FBIS 12/26; QY 12/26 in FBIS 12/27; JP 12/30)

IDF kills 2 Hizballah mbrs. in clash in s. Lebanon. 2 SLA soldiers are killed in separate incident. (QY, VOL 12/22, RL 12/23 in FBIS 12/26)

IDF completes withdrawal fr. Bethlehem. (MM 12/21; QY, VOP 12/21 in FBIS 12/22; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 12/22; JP 12/30)

At PISMC mtg. in Jerusalem, PA demands Israel withdraw immediately fr. Abu-Dis, Sawahirah villages nr. Jerusalem, both part of Bethlehem municipality under Oslo II. Israel says there was a mistake on the Oslo II maps, incorrectly placing the 2 villages in the withdrawal zone; it expects the PA to agree to the corrected maps that exclude them fr. the municipality. (QY 12/22 in FBIS 12/22)

Samiha Khalil, fmr. gen. secy. of the General Union of Palestinian Women and head of a respected West Bank charity, announces she will run against Arafat for the presidency as an independent in 1/20 elections. A PNC mbr., she says she will vote against amending the PLO covenant. (WT 12/28; CSM 1/4; WP 1/19)

PA, Hamas closed 4 days of their 1st formal, high-level reconciliation talks in Cairo, agree talks were positive but fail to reach accord. Hamas refuses to sign pledge to participate in Palestinian elections, cease attacks on Israeli targets, but agrees not to call for election boycott. (MM 12/18; MENA, VOP 12/18, MENA 12/19 in FBIS 12/19; CSM, WT 12/19; MENA, VOP 12/19 in FBIS 12/20; MM 12/20; MBC, RE, VOP 12/20, MENA, VOP 12/21 in FBIS 12/21; MENA, RMC, VOP 12/21, RE, SA 12/22 in FBIS 12/22; CSM, NYT 12/22; al-Quds 12/22 in FBIS 12/26; JP 12/30) (see 11/18)

Likud MK and fmr. DM Ariel Sharon announces that he will not run for PM, endorses party chmn. Benjamin Netanyahu. (QY 12/21, JP 12/22 in FBIS 12/22; JP 12/30)

Ahmad Tibi, Arafat adviser and head of the Israeli Islamic Movement, says his movement has created a party, the Arab Movement for Change, to participate in the 10/96 Knesset elections. (ITV 12/21 in FBIS 12/22) (see 9/10)

In s. Lebanon, IDF clashes with Amal, killing 3 Amal mbrs. (WT 12/26)

Arafat meets with Qatari officials in Doha. (MM 12/20)

Israel bars entry to 7 U.S. Jews, incl. Rabbi Abraham Hecht of New York, calling them security risks in light of the Rabin assassination. (QY 12/20 in FBIS 12/20; NYT, WT 12/21; JP 12/30; WJW 1/18)

Syrian parliament ratifies general amnesty agmt. (SARR 12/20 in FBIS 12/20) (see 11/16, 12/13)

IDF kills 3 Amal mbrs., wounds 2 in clash in s. Lebanon. (QY, RL 12/21 in FBIS 12/21)

Jordan's Press and Publications Dept. cautions newspapers that it is illegal to publish proceedings of the Shubailat case (see 12/9). Press law states papers may only write on proceedings of a case once the court has issued a verdict, given permission for the article. (JT 12/19 in FBIS 12/19) (see 12/18)

UN comm. in charge of distributing reparations to Israelis who were injured by Iraqi missiles during the Gulf War transfers $307,500 in damages to 93 persons who submitted claims of serious physical, emotional suffering. 430 claims have yet to be assessed. (IL 12/20)

Rand Institute, working on behalf of the U.S. Defense Dept., estimates Israel could build 70 nuclear weapons with its estimated 770 lbs. of weapons-grade plutonium produced by Dimona since 1964; estimates Dimona is producing 35 lb./yr. of plutonium (or 3 bombs/yr.). (HA 12/19 in FBIS 12/21; WT 2/7)

SLA soldier is wounded by roadside bomb in s. Lebanon. (IDF Radio 12/20 in FBIS 12/20) 

In Jericho, Secy. of State Christopher announces that Syria, Israel will resume negotiations in Washington 12/27. (ITV, QY, SATN, VOP 12/16, ITV 12/17 in FBIS 12/18; NYT, WP, WT 12/17; MM 12/18; JP 12/23)

In Gaza, 30,000 attend rally to celebrate Hamas's 8th anniversary. (WT 12/17; PR 12/29)

PA temporary election commission begins accepting nominations for president, legislative council. (VOP 12/13, AFP 12/14 in FBIS 12/14; VOP 12/14 in FBIS 12/15; MM 12/15)

In Damascus, U.S. Secy. of State Christopher meets with Pres. Asad. (MM, NYT, WT 12/15; SARR 12/15, 12/17 in FBIS 12/18)

Syria reports it has warned Syrian-based Iraqi opposition leaders against collaborating with Israel after detecting "stepped-up Israeli intelligence activity" in the Kurdish enclave n. of Iraq, receiving information that Israel has set up fixed intelligence-gathering outposts at border crossings with Turkey. (MM 12/14)

In Hebron, Palestinian stabs, wounds 2 Jewish settlers; is shot dead by Israeli border police. IDF places curfew on the city. (MM 12/14)

IDF declares Nablus area a closed military zone, begins final redeployment 6 days ahead of schedule. IDF arrests 13 yeshiva students who refuse to leave Joseph's tomb, inside the closed zone; 40 others settlers who arrive at the tomb to confront the IDF are detained. After withdraw, Jewish settlers who attend yeshiva in the city will continue to receive IDF protection. (IL, NYT, WP 12/12; QY 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; CSM 12/13; MEI 12/15)

Pres. Clinton holds positive telephone conversation with Pres. Asad, then meets with PM Peres. Peres asks for assurances that money fr. its $3 b. 1996 aid package will be received by 1/1/96 even if the foreign aid bill has not been passed (aid for FY 1996 was to begin 10/95); gives Clinton a letter, asking for Pollard's release (see 11/21). (ITV, QY, SARR 12/11, QY 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/12; MM 12/13; MA, SARR 12/13 in FBIS 12/13; WJW 12/14; MM 12/15; HA 12/15 in FBIS 12/15; CSM 1/4; WJW 1/18)

Israel Amb. to the U.S. and chief negotiator with Syria Rabinovitch says Israel is ready to make unspecified "significant concessions" to Syria. (WT 12/12)

In Paris, PA, France sign $15-m. cooperation agmt. (VOP 12/11, 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; PR 12/29)

PA announces creation of National Dialogue Office (NDO) to be headed by fmr. Hamas mbr. Faluji. At the same time, Faluji announces the indefinite closure of al-Watan. NDO will promote dialogue btwn. the PA, other political, social forces amid recognition of the "changed reality" following fr. the Oslo process. (HA 12/12 in FBIS 12/14)

In Gaza, Arafat, Hamas delegation meet to discuss of Hamas-PA talks on elections scheduled for 12/18-21 in Cairo. (VOP 12/12 in FBIS 12/12)

In Gaza, Arafat discusses joint ventures opportunities with Poland's Construction M Barbara Blida, delegation of Polish businessmen. (VOP 12/11 in FBIS 12/12)

Syria grants special amnesty to fmr. secy. gen. of Syria's Muslim Brotherhood `Abd al-Fattah Abu Ghuddah, allowing him to return to Damascus after 16-yrs. exile. (RMC 12/11 in FBIS 12/11; MM 12/14) (see 11/30)

After strongly criticizing King Hussein during a press conference, Laith Shubailat, head of Jordan's engineers' union and leading opponent of normalization with Israel, is arrested on charges of inciting sedition that could get him up to 5 yrs. in jail. (NYT, WT 12/10; AFP, MENA, RMC 12/9, JT, al-Ra'i 12/10 in FBIS 12/11; MM 12/11; JT 12/12 in FBIS 12/12; JP 12/16; al-Safir 12/30 in FBIS 1/4)

In s. Lebanon, despite being warned that UN personnel are operating in the area, IDF tanks mistakenly open fire on UN patrol, injuring 3 UNIFIL (UN Interim Force in Lebanon) soldiers. (QY 12/10 in FBIS 12/11; NYT, WP 12/11)