The Palestine Chronology

At the invitation of Secy. of State Christopher, Syrian FM Shara` arrives in Washington for 2-day working visit. (MM 10/5; RMC, SARR 10/5, SARR 10/6 in FBIS 10/6; MM 10/6; SARR 10/6 in FBIS 10/10; WJW 10/12)

In Jerusalem, 20,000-30,000 Israelis gather in Zion Square to urge MKs to vote against the Oslo II accord. (NYT 10/6; JP 10/6 in FBIS 10/6; JP 10/14)

PM Rabin opens the Knesset debate on the Oslo II agmt., for the 1st time outlining his vision of a final settlement. Labor coalition MKs vote unanimously for resolution calling the vote on the interim agmt. binding on all faction, coalition mbrs. (MM 10/5; QY 10/5 in FBIS 10/5)

Arab FMs meet at the UN to discuss Israeli memorandum circulated 10/3, issue their own memorandum calling on the UN committees dealing with Palestine, particularly the UNRWA, to continue their work until Palestinians regain their national rights, Israel completes its withdrawal fr. the o.t., the issue of settlements is solved. (VOP 10/5 in FBIS 10/6)

PA police arrest 20 Hamas mbrs in connection with 10/4 shooting of Israeli policeman. (JP 10/6 in FBIS 10/6)

In s. Lebanon, Hizballah attacks 2 SLA convoys, killing or wounding 6. (VOL 10/5 in FBIS 10/6) 

In Gaza, FM Peres, Arafat discuss industrial parks. In a gesture of goodwill in light of land conflict, Peres increases number of Palestinians allowed to work in Israel to 35,000, says PA will be allowed to take over 8 more spheres (5 agreed upon 5/16 plus agriculture, census and statistics, local administration) before 7/1. (MM 5/22; IDF Radio, QY, VOP 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; NYT 5/23; PR 5/28)

PM Rabin suspends confiscation of 134 acres of land in Jerusalem, killing no-confidence vote brought by Arab and rightist MKs that could have collapsed the government (see 5/17). Arab nations postpone minisummit on Jerusalem (see 5/21). (MM 5/22; ESC Television, IDF Radio, MENA, QY, VOP 5/22, MA, MENA, QY, VOP 5/23 in FBIS 5/23; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/23; CSM, MM 5/24; WJW 5/25; MEI 5/26; PR 6/28; JP 6/3; WSJ 6/6; MEI 6/9)

FM Peres tells Arafat that Israel will loan the PA $125 m.--the sum Israel should hand over for tax collection on behalf of PA but cannot due to delays in Knesset legislation. (QY 5/22 in FBIS 5/23)

PLO's Qaddumi meets with heads of Palestinian opposition groups in Damascus, incl. DFLP's Nayif Hawatmeh, Islamic Jihad's Fathi Shiqaqi, Palestinian National Grouping's (PNG) Bassam al-Shak'a, a Hamas rep. (RMC 5/23 in FBIS 5/24)

UNRWA Commissioner Gen. Ilter Türkman meets with Arafat in Gaza to discuss UN activities in Gaza, Jericho. (UNRWA News 6/2)

IDF soldier opens fire on, throws grenades into Jaffa church, causing extensive damage but no casualties. 11 Palestinians are injured when clashes erupt outside church btwn. Palestinians, Israeli police. (ITV, QY 5/22 in FBIS 5/23; WT 5/23; MM, WT 5/24)

2-day, informal Major Donor and Host Governments mtg. opens in Amman. Participants fr. 28 countries, organizations reaffirm their pledges to reassure Palestinians. Additional pledges announced: U.S., $15 m.; Sweden, $2 m.; Britain $1 m. After mgt. Britain says it will give another $7 m. to PA. (UNRWA News 3/8, 3/9, 3/22)

En route to Morocco, Arafat stops in Tunis to meet with al-Qaddumi, Abbas to discuss convening Fatah Central Comm. 3/16 to reassess peace talks. (VOP 3/8 in FBIS 3/9)