The Palestine Chronology

On his way home fr. Moscow, Arafat stops in Cairo for a 2-day visit to brief Pres. Mubarak on the peace process, discuss increasing bilateral trade exchange. (MENA 11/30 in WNC 12/1; MENA 11/30, 12/1 in WNC 12/2)

King Abdallah of Jordan begins a 5-day visit to Japan for talks on boosting bilateral cooperation, economic assistance to the kingdom. (JT 12/2 in WNC 12/3)

In New York, the UN Comm. on the Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People meets to observe the annual International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People. (WT 12/1)

PA intelligence officers detain for questioning another signatory of the Petition of the 20, bringing to 11 the number who have been detained. The other 9 are PC mbrs. (all Fatah mbrs.), who are immune from prosecution. Arafat has reportedly asked the PC to lift their immunity so they may be arrested. PA police also arrest 2 Palestinians suspected of distributing the leaflet. (LAW 11/30; AFP, SA 11/30 in WNC 12/1; WP 12/1; AYM 12/2 in WNC 12/6)

In Cairo, Egyptian FM Musa, PA Planning M Nabil Shaath end 2 days of consultations on the peace process. Shaath also meets with Arab League secy. gen. Ismat `Abd al-Majid to request that the Arab League intervene with Lebanon to ease tensions regarding Palestinian refugees (see 11/20). (MENA, 11/21, MENA, al-Nahar 11/22 in WNC 11/23)

Israeli Education M Yossi Katz, who handles Labor party relations with the PA, says Israel bears some responsibility for the Palestinian refugee problem, should allow 100,000 Palestinian refugees to return to areas inside the Green Line. Labor says it may remove Katz fr. his party posts because of his comments. PM Barak says no refugees will be allowed to return to Israel in a final settlement. (MM 11/23, 11/24; al-Quds 12/1 in WNC 12/3; MM 12/2; JP, MM 12/3)

Jordan "suspends" cases against all Hamas mbrs. detained since 8/30; sends 4 senior Hamas leaders (Ibrahim Ghawshah, Musa Abu Marzuq, Khalid Mishal, and Muhammad Nazzal, who were arrested 9/22) to Qatar; and releases the remaining 20 Hamas activists. (SA 11/21, AFP, DUS 11/22 in WNC 11/23; MENA 11/21, JT, SA 11/23 in WNC 11/24; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/22; MM 11/25; MEI 11/26; AYM 11/27 in WNC 12/1; JP 12/3)

The Israeli cabinet asks the Knesset to renew the state of emergency law for 6 mos. rather than 1 yr. as has been the case since the law was adopted in 1948. The 6-mo. extension would be the 1st legislative step toward abolishing the state of emergency, under which Israel may legally hold Arabs without charge or trial and confiscate civilian goods for military use. (MEI 11/22)

Israelis living along the n. border with Lebanon hold a 1-day strike to show concern for their safety following a withdrawal of IDF troops fr. s. Lebanon. (MM 11/22)

Turkish officials arrive in Israel for 4 days of talks on joint tourism programs. (ATL 11/21 in WNC 11/23)

In Ramallah, PA, Israeli teams start talks on a framework agmt. on final status. Mtg. focuses on procedures for future talks, which will be held 2-3 times per wk., alternating btwn. Jerusalem, Ramallah. (MM 11/8; AFP 11/8 in WNC 11/9; al-Quds 11/8, 11/9 in WNC 11/10; MM, NYT, WP, WT 11/9; ITAR-TASS 11/10 in WNC 11/12; MEI 11/12)

In Paris, Arafat holds separate mtgs. on the peace process with French pres. Chirac, Egyptian pres. Mubarak. PM Barak discusses Syrian track with French PM Jospin. Arafat, Barak are in France to attend the 21st congress of the Socialist International. (MM 11/8; AFP, MENA 11/8 in WNC 11/9)

Israel's Atomic Energy Commission, which rarely makes public statements, releases a announcement saying "an employee died in a 12-foot fall while preparing scaffolding for a welding job at the nuclear research center [Dimona] in the Negev." The agency may have been seeking to prevent speculation about the cause of death. (NYT 11/9)

Jordan arrests leading Hamas activist `Abd al-Aziz Umary (also known as Izzat Rushuq), the 22d Hamas mbr. to be detained since the government crackdown began in 8/99; 2 other individuals are arrested, released on $5,000 bail each for "harboring" Umary. Hamas considers the arrests an escalation of hostilities. (MM, WP, WT 11/10; JT 11/10 in WNC 11/12; NYT 11/11; DUS 11/12 in WNC 11/15)

U.S. special envoy Ross meets with PM Barak in advance of the Oslo mtg. 11/2. (MM 10/29; JP 11/5)

Israeli-PA ad hoc economic comm. meets to discuss economic requirements of the Wye II agmt., adjourns without taking any decisions. (al-Quds 10/29 in WNC 11/2)

In Gaza, the PA-Egypt-Jordanian trilateral comm. on displaced persons meets to discuss implementation of Wye II, upcoming final status talks; calls for convening quadripartite comm. (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, PA) on displaced persons. Under Wye II, the quadrilateral comm., which has not met since 1997, was to have resumed mtgs. by 10/1. (MM 10/27; MENA, al-Quds 10/27 in WNC 10/28; DUS 10/28 in WNC 11/2) (see 10/6)

Iranian pres. Khatami arrives in France for 3 days of talks on improving bilateral relations, meets with Pres. Chirac. (MM, WT 10/27; CSM, NYT, WP 10/28; MM, WP 10/29; WT 11/3; MEI 11/12)

Clashes in Bethlehem btwn. Palestinian demonstrators, IDF continue for 3d day, leaving 12 Palestinians injured. (MM 10/27; NYT, WP 10/28)

A Lebanese military court issues a death sentence in absentia against Sultan Abu al-Aynayn, a senior Fatah official who has lived in Lebanon for yrs., for heading a subversive armed group. Abu al-Aynayn was unaware he was under prosecution until the verdict was announced. (AFP 10/27 in WNC 10/28; RL 10/28 in WNC 10/29; AFP 10/28, RL 10/29, 10/31 in WNC 11/2; WT 10/29; AYM 10/30 in WNC 11/3)

The Clinton administration authorizes the 1st direct military training for Iraqi opposition forces, which will begin next wk. (NYT 10/28; WT 10/29)

In Paris, PM Barak discusses with Pres. Chirac the role of France, the EU in restarting the peace process. Chirac stresses that he has conveyed no messages btwn. Barak and Syrian pres. Asad, whose FM was in Paris on 9/18. (MM 9/22; AFP, France-Info Radio, LCI Television 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, NYT 9/23; MA 9/23 in WNC 9/26)

On the sidelines of the UNGA mtg. in New York, Secy. of State Albright holds a breakfast mtg. with Egyptian FM Musa to discuss the peace process, Iraq, bilateral ties; urges Egypt to take the lead in resuming multilateral talks now that Wye II has been signed and final status talks formally resumed. Egypt has not decided whether the time is right for multilateral working groups to restart mtgs. (MM 9/22; MENA 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, WT 9/23; MEI 10/1)

Later in the day, Albright meets with Syrian FM Shara` to discuss resuming Israeli-Syrian negotiations. (MM 9/22; MENA 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, WT 9/23; MM 9/24; RMC 9/25 in WNC 9/27; MEI 10/1)

This evening, Albright hosts a reception for Israeli FM Levy. 12 Arab, several EU reps. attend. Lebanese PM Huss, Syrian FM Shara` stay away. The U.S. and Russian cohosts urge attendees to resume multilateral talks regardless of the degree of progress in other negotiations. (MM 9/22; MENA 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, WT 9/23; MM 9/28; WJW 9/30; MEI 10/1, 10/29)

Jordan arrests 3 Hamas leaders (Abu Marzuq, Ghawshah, Mishal), 4 bodyguards on their return to Amman fr. Iran, charging them with membership in an illegal organization and possession of handguns. Abu Marzuq, a Yemeni-passport holder, is deported to the UAE, his point of departure for Jordan. (MM 9/22; AFP 9/22 in WNC 9/25; MM, NYT, WP 9/23; AFP, RMC 9/23 in WNC 9/26; CSM, MM 9/24; WT 9/26; MM 9/27; WJW 9/30; JP, MEI 10/1; NYT, WP 10/7; MEI 10/15) (see 9/13)

In s. Lebanon, a Lebanese soldier is killed, 6 are wounded by IDF shelling. (WP 9/23; RL 9/23 in WNC 9/26; WP 9/24)

King Abdallah of Jordan ends 2-day visit to Kuwait, officially marking a new stage in bilateral relations, which soured during the 1990+91 Gulf War. On his way home, he stops in Sharm al-Shaykh to meet with Pres. Mubarak. (MM, NYT, WP 9/7; MENA, Radio Kuwait 9/7 in WNC 9/8; WP, WT 9/8; JT 10/18 in WNC 10/19)

Israel confirms that the 3 bombers who staged the 9/5 suicide attacks were Israeli Arabs, marking the 1st time that Arab citizens have taken part directly in such attacks. Israeli security forces arrest 7 Israeli Arabs in connection with the bombings, as part of a hunt for an Islamist network inside Israel. (MM, NYT, WT 9/8; CSM 9/10; JP 9/17; MEI 9/22; JP 9/24) (see 9/6)

For unknown reasons, the IDF fires missiles at a hill nr. Chouwaghir village, deep inside Lebanon, nr. the border with Syria, causing no injuries. (WP 9/8)

Before attending the Wye II signing, Secy. of State Albright makes a quick trip to Damascus for talks with Pres. Asad on resuming negotiations with Israel. (AFP, MENA, RL, VOL, XIN 9/4, JT, MENA, SA, XIN 9/5, Interfax 9/6 in WNC 9/7; NYT, WP, WT 9/5; MM 9/6; RL 9/7 in WNC 9/8; al-Nahar 9/8 in WNC 9/9; MM 9/9; MEI 9/17)

On her way fr. Damascus to Sharm al-Shaykh, Secy. Albright stops in Lebanon, where she reportedly presents Pres. Emile Lahoud with a draft proposal on s. Lebanon. (AFP, MENA, RL, VOL, XIN 9/4, JT, MENA, SA, XIN 9/5, Interfax 9/6 in WNC 9/7; NYT, WP, WT 9/5; MM 9/6; RL 9/7 in WNC 9/8; al-Nahar 9/8 in WNC 9/9; MM 9/9; al-Ittihad 9/11 in WNC 9/13; MEI 9/17; al-Watan al-Arabi 9/17 in WNC 9/25)

In Sharm al-Shaykh, Egypt, Arafat, Barak sign Wye II accord. Secy. of State Albright, Pres. Mubarak of Egypt, King Abdallah of Jordan also sign as witnesses. Palestinian opposition groups denounce the agmt. for containing more "gratuitous concessions" to Israel, further weakening the Palestinian negotiating position. (NYT, WP, WT 9/5; MM 9/6; AYM 9/6 in WNC 9/10; WJW 9/9; JP 9/10; AFP 9/11 in WNC 9/13; MEI 9/17)

In Amman, Jordan arrests 4 mbrs. of the Muslim Brotherhood--including Islamic Action Front parliament mbr. Muhammad Khalil Aqil--attending a mtg. expressing solidarity with Hamas. (AFP 9/13 in WNC 9/14)

Erakat, Sher continue talks on Wye implementations. (MM 8/31; WT 9/1)

Arafat goes to Cairo to discuss with Pres. Mubarak the outstanding issues blocking an agmt. with Israel on Wye implementation. After Arafat leaves, Egyptian FM `Amr Musa phones French FM Hubert Vedrine to brief him on the peace process. (NYT 8/31; MENA 8/31 in WNC 9/1)

Jordan issues arrest warrants for 4 senior Hamas officials (Ibrahim Ghawshah, Musa Abu Marzuq, Khalid Mishal, Muhammad Nazzal). Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin condemns Jordan's crackdown on Hamas as appeasement of Israel, the U.S. in advance of Secy. of State Albright's visit to the region. (AFP 8/31 in WNC 9/1; WP, WT 9/1; JT, SA 9/1 in WNC 9/2; Tehran Times 9/1, AFP, QA 9/2 in WNC 9/3; AYM 9/1, 9/2, 9/4, al-Sabil 9/7 in WNC 9/8; MM 9/2; MEI 9/3; QA, SA 9/3 in WNC 9/7; MM 9/6; QA 9/8 in WNC 9/9; WJW 9/9; SA 9/10 in WNC 9/13)

PLO Exec. Comm. convenes national unity mtg. in Ramallah, attended by reps. of the Arab Liberation Front (ALF), DFLP, Fatah, FIDA, Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP). Hamas, Islamic Jihad do not attend. PFLP urges PA to halt negotiations with Israel. DFLP recommends that all groups agree on "red lines" that the PA would not cross in final status negotiations. (AYM 9/1 in WNC 9/8; al-Istiqlal 9/2 in WNC 9/9; al-Ra'i 9/5 in WNC 9/7) (see 8/28)

In s. Lebanon, Amal shells an SLA post, wounding 1 SLA mbr. (RL 8/31 in WNC 9/1)

PA chief negotiator, Local Government M Saeb Erakat says that Israel, the PA have agreed to begin construction on Gaza port on 10/1, open a 2d safe-passage route on 1/1/00. Israel also announces that it will lower the minimum age for Palestinian laborers seeking to enter Israel fr. Gaza fr. 25 to 21. The sides also reportedly reach an agmt. on safe passage. (MM, WT 8/24; JP 9/3)

Jordan, Israel inaugurate the new Japan-financed Shaykh Husayn Bridge crossing in n. Jordan. (RJ 8/23 in WNC 8/24)

In Cairo, Arafat, Hawatimah agree to set aside their differences over the Oslo process, work for a united Palestinian position in talks with Israel. (MENA 8/23 in WNC 8/24; NYT, WP, WT 8/24; MEI 9/3; al-Quds 10/ 14 in WNC 10/18) (see 8/22)

Israeli military delegation leaves for Ankara to discuss Turkey's aid needs in light of the recent earthquake, its ability to pay for defense deals with Israel, which are valued at 100s of millions of dollars. (MA 8/23 in WNC 8/24)

Following the EA on 7/29, Palestinian officials say that PM Barak's request to delay Wye implementation is unacceptable, therefore the 2-wk. delay to examine the issue agreed to by Arafat on 7/27 is a "waste of time." Barak reiterates concerns that the 3d stage of the FRD outlined in Wye, which would isolate several Jewish settlements, could spark violence. (NYT, WT 8/1; CSM 8/3; JP 8/6; WJW 8/12)

In Alexandria, Arafat, Mubarak discuss their latest mtgs. with PM Barak, Barak's proposal to delay Wye implementation. (MENA 7/31 in WNC 8/2)

Also while in Cairo, Arafat leads a mtg. of the Fatah Central Comm. (FCC), seeking to unify Fatah's ranks ahead of final status talks. (NYT, WP, WT 8/1; MENA 8/1 in WNC 8/2)

In Ramallah, Jordan, the PA sign an protocol to improve agricultural cooperation. (JTV 7/31 in WNC 8/2)

PA-Israeli comm. to examine the Wye implementation timetable holds its 1st mtg. The PA team is headed by Local Government M Saeb Erakat. The Israeli team is headed by Barak's chief negotiator Gilead Sher. (WJW 8/12) (see 7/27)

The PA Executive Authority meets to discuss Israel's proposal for a delay in implementing the Wye FRDs. (MM 7/29; NYT 8/1)    

In Alexandria, Israeli PM Barak, Pres. Mubarak hold talks on the peace process. Barak asks Egypt to urge the PA to agree to a delay in carrying out the Wye FRDs. (MM 7/29; MENA, RE 7/29 in WNC 7/30; MM, NYT, WP 7/30; al-Akhbar 7/30 in WNC 8/2; JP 8/6)

Express rail service btwn. Jordan, Syria begins. (NYT 7/30)

In s. Lebanon, 4 Lebanese youths hunting in the brush run into IDF troops on patrol, leading to a shootout which wounds 1 IDF soldier, 3 youths, kills the 4th youth. (RL 7/29 in WNC 7/30)

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)

World leaders attend funeral of King Hassan II of Morocco in Rabat. Egypt's Mubarak, Israel's Barak, Jordan's King Abdallah, PA's Arafat, U.S.'s Clinton attend. Although Syria's Asad stays in Damascus to avoid meeting Barak, his brother, Rifat, attends, grants an interview to the Israeli daily Ma'ariv afterward. On the sidelines, Barak holds brief, warm mtg. with Algerian pres. Bouteflika; also speaks with leaders of Kuwait, Qatar, the UAE, Yemen. Kuwaiti crown prince Saad Abdallah Sabah refuses to shake hands with Arafat. Clinton speaks briefly with Arafat, Barak, Mubarak about the peace process. (ATL, MAP [Rabat], MENA 7/25 in WNC 7/26; CSM, MM, NYT, USIS Washington File, WP, WT 7/26; RE 7/26 in WNC 7/27; MM, WT 7/27; MA, QA 7/27 in WNC 7/28; MM, WP 7/28; QA 7/28 in WNC 7/29; MEI, MM 7/30; al-Watan [Algiers] 7/31 in WNC 8/2; Le Monde 8/1-2; JP 8/6)

Israeli PM Barak sends the IDF to remove 5 mobile homes placed by Jewish settlers on a West Bank hilltop on 7/23 to expand an existing encampment, Shvut Rahel. Barak does not order the dismantling of Shvut Rahel itself--1 of 25 new enclaves that have been set up since the Wye agmt. was signed in 10/98. (NYT, WP 7/26)

In Amman, Iran, Jordan hold talks on expanding cooperation in culture, religion, tourism. (IRNA, RJ 7/25 in WNC 7/26)

IDF bulldozes the temporary shelter constructed by the Palestinian family whose home was demolished on 7/14. (INFOPAL [Internet] 7/30)

In Cairo, Egyptian FM Musa, Jordan's Chief of the Royal Court Kabariti confer on the peace process. Kabariti brings a message fr. King Abdallah to Pres. Mubarak. (MENA 7/21 in WNC 7/22; JT 7/24 in WNC 7/26)

Spanish PM Aznar holds talks on the peace process with Lebanese pres. Lahoud, PM Huss in Beirut. Aznar, Huss also sign a $100-m. trade agmt. (al-Nahar 7/21 in WNC 7/22)

In Ankara, Israeli, Turkish air force cmdrs. hold talks on military training cooperation. (ATL 7/21 in WNC 7/22)

In Amman, Arafat aide Tayyib `Abd al-Rahim meets with PFLP Dep. Secy. Gen. Abu Ali Mustafa to discuss a possible reconciliation mtg. btwn. Fatah, the PFLP (ideally btwn. Arafat, as head of Fatah, and PFLP head George Habash). (RMC 7/21 in WNC 7/22; al-Ayyam 7/22 in WNC 7/27; JP, MEI 7/30; IDF Radio 8/5 in WNC 8/6) (see 6/16, 7/19)

IDF reports that in the past 3 wks., attacks on IDF, SLA troops in s. Lebanon have dropped to their lowest level in several yrs. (QA 7/21 in WNC 7/22; WP 7/22; WT 7/28; JP 7/30)

On the 1st stop of his regional tour, Turkish pres. Suleyman Demirel meets with Israeli pres. Ezer Weizman, PM Barak in Jerusalem; says that resumption of Syrian-Israeli negotiations would not affect Turkish-Israeli ties, despite tensions btwn. Ankara, Damascus. (MM 7/14; ATL 7/14 in WNC 7/15; MA 7/14 in WNC 7/16; NYT 7/15; WA 7/23 in WNC 7/26)

Arafat discusses peace process with Egyptian pres. Mubarak on the sidelines of the Organization of African Unity mtg. in Algiers. Arafat then departs for brief visit to Lithuania. (BNS [Tallinn], MENA 7/15 in WNC 7/16)

After 6 days of proreform student protests in Iran, crowds across the country (including 100,000 people in Tehran alone) turn out for counterdemonstrations organized by conservative officials. (CSM, NYT, WP 7/15; CSM, MEI, MM 7/16; MM 7/19; WJW 7/22)

Jordan holds local municipal elections. Islamic Action Front, the main Islamist opposition, wins majority of seats in Irbid, Russayfa, Zarqa; takes 5 of 20 elected seats in Amman. (Petra-JNA, RJ 7/14 in WNC 7/15; MM 7/16; NYT 7/17; MEI 7/30; MM 8/5)

Syrian pres. Asad grants amnesty to 150,000 prisoners jailed for cheating on food rations, dodging military service, smuggling, economic offenses. 100s of Palestinians, Jordanian nationals are among those freed. A number of Jordanians held as political prisoners will not be released. (MM 7/14; NYT 7/15; JT 8/3 in WNC 8/5)

Iran wins $50 m. contract to construct a power plant, repair several existing plants in Syria. (Iran News 7/15 in WNC 7/19)

IDF dismantles, confiscates a telephone communications network serving 10s of residents in the Palestinian neighborhood of al-Ram in East Jerusalem. The network was set up 18 mos. ago by the Palestinian Communications Company. (al-Ayyam 7/15 in WNC 7/19)

For the 1st time since the Barak government was sworn in, the IDF demolishes a Palestinian home in the West Bank. (INFOPAL [Internet] 7/30)

Iranian FM Kamal Kharrazi arrives in Amman fr. Lebanon for talks with Jordanian FM `Abdallah Khatib on expanding bilateral political, economic relations. This is the 1st high-level visit by an Iranian to Jordan in 30 yrs. (IRNA, RL 6/19, IRNA, JTV, RMC 6/20 in WNC 6/21; WT 6/20; `Ukaz 6/23 in WNC 6/28)

In Cairo, Egypt, Yemen sign 12 cooperation agmts. (MENA 6/19 in WNC 6/21)

In Cairo, Egypt, Slovenia discuss expanding political, defense, economic relations. (MENA 6/19 in WNC 6/21)

In Aqaba, King Abdallah of Jordan receives Shaykh Hamad bin Isa al-Khalifa of Bahrain for 2 days of talks on bilateral, regional issues. Both men express support for an independent Palestinian state. (WT 6/13; RJ 6/13 in WNC 6/14)

In Algiers, Egypt's Pres. Mubarak, Algeria's Pres. Bouteflika hold talks on bilateral, regional issues, including the peace process. Mubarak then heads to Morocco for 2 days of similar talks with King Hassan. (MENA 6/12 in WNC 6/14; JUM, RE 6/14 in WNC 6/15; MM 6/15)

In Amman, King Abdallah of Jordan, Crown Prince Abdallah of Saudi Arabia call on Israeli PM-elect Barak to exchange land for peace with the Palestinians. The crown prince then heads to Cairo, where he meets with Pres. Mubarak. (MM 6/4; MENA, RJ 6/4 in WNC 6/8; WP 6/5)

Lebanese PM Salim al-Huss makes 1st visit to Jazzin in 17 yrs. by a top Lebanese official. (VOL 6/4 in WNC 6/8; NYT, WT 6/5; al-Ba`th 6/6 in WNC 6/11; MEI 6/18)

In Cairo, Egyptian FM Musa holds talks on the peace process with EU special envoy Moratinos, who says that the EU expects Israeli PM-elect Barak to restore confidence btwn. the parties to the peace process by freezing settlement activity, urges him to restart talks with Syria. (MENA 6/1 in WNC 6/2; al-Quds 6/2 in WNC 6/8; MEI 6/18)

In Tunisia, King Abdallah of Jordan holds talks with Pres. Zein al-Abidine Ben Ali on the peace process, bilateral relations. (Tunis-7 Television 6/1 in WNC 6/2; Tunisian Republic Radio Network 6/2 in WNC 6/3)

For 2d day, Hizballah strikes SLA mbrs. evacuating Jazzin, killing 2, wounding 1. In response, the IDF shells Hizballah targets. Hizballah returns mortar fire, injuring 2 more SLA mbrs. In separate raids, IDF injures 1 Lebanese army soldier, 3 civilians. (MM 6/1; RL 6/1 in WNC 6/2; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/2; RL 6/2 in WNC 6/3; `Ukaz 6/2 in WNC 6/8; WT 6/3; JP 6/11) (see 5/31)

In Cairo, King Abdallah of Jordan opens 2 days of talks with Pres. Mubarak on the peace process, possible 5-way summit. (MENA 5/30, al-Bayan 5/31 in WNC 6/1; MENA 5/31 in WNC 6/1; WT 6/2)

PA officials call on Palestinians observe "day of rage" on 6/3 to protest, "physically confront" Israeli settlement expansion. U.S. denounces Israel's decision to annex more land to Ma'ale Adumim settlement, calls move "provocative." (NYT, WT 5/31; JP 6/4) (see 5/28)

Clash btwn. IDF, Hizballah in s. Lebanon leaves 1 Hizballah mbr. dead. (RL 5/30 in WNC 6/1)

In the 1st such visit in 25 yrs., Lebanese pres. Emile Lahoud makes 1 day trip to Jordan for official talks on regional issues with King Abdallah. (RL 5/29 in WNC 6/1; WA 6/4 in WNC 6/18)

Egyptian FM Musa goes to Damascus for brief consultation with Pres. Asad, FM Shara` on the peace process. (MENA 5/29 in WNC 6/1)

Israelis elect One Israel's Ehud Barak as PM with 56.1% of the vote, meaning no 6/1 runoff is needed. In the Knesset, 6 of the 15 parties to win seats are new, including the anti-Orthodox Shinui, formed 2 mos. ago, which won 6 seats. Control of right-wing parties shrinks, as Russians, other centrists gain, changing the balance of power. The ultra-Orthodox Shas, however, gains 7 new seats for total of 17 seats, security its place as the 3d largest party after Labor/One Israel (27, down fr. 34 seats), Likud (19 seats, down fr. 32 seats). The 1st Israeli Arab woman, Husniyya Jabara of Meretz, is also elected to parliament. Israel seals the West Bank, Gaza for the elections. Arab, Asian, European states, the U.S, and Russia welcome Barak's victory, hope it means the peace process will resume soon. (MM 5/17; AFP, LPA 5/17 in WNC 5/18; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/18; AFP, al-Ahram, Chungang Ilbo [Seoul], Interfax, JT, Kyodo [Tokyo], MENA, MKR, RE, RNE-1 Radio Network [Madrid], SANA, SAPA [Johannesburg], Taiwan Central News Agency, VOL, Xinhua [Beijing] 5/18 in WNC 5/19; al-Akhbar 5/18 in WNC 5/21; MENA 5/18, Athens News Agency, Interfax, ITAR-TASS, JT, LPA, RE, Sueddeutsche Zeitung [Munich] 5/19 in WNC 5/20; CSM, NYT, WP, WT 5/19; CSM, NYT, WJW 5/20; CSM, MEI, MM, NYT 5/21; JP 5/28; CSM 6/17)

In a victory speech, PM-elect Barak lists 4 "red lines" for peace negotiations with the Palestinian Authority (PA), promises to put any final status agmt. to a referendum by the Israeli public. (MM 5/18; JT 5/19 in WNC 5/20; MEI 5/21)

On the 3d day of his Washington visit, King Abdallah of Jordan meets with U.S. Secy. of State Madeleine Albright, calls for lifting sanctions on Iraq. U.S. urges France, Germany, other creditors to cancel Jordan's debt; encourages Jordan to seek additional U.S. economic assistance. In the afternoon, the king discusses trade issue with U.S. Commerce Secy. William Daley, receives reps. of various American Jewish groups at Blair House. (JT 5/17 in WNC 5/18; WP, WT 5/18; al-Ra'i 5/18 in WNC 5/20; MM 5/21)

Venezuela signs $20 m. deal to buy Israeli antiaircraft defense system. (YA 5/18 in WNC 5/19)

In s. Lebanon, Israeli Defense Force (IDF) shelling kills 2 civilians. (RL 5/17 in WNC 5/18; NYT, WP 5/18; RL 5/18 in WNC 5/19; WT 5/19)

Israel announces it will close PLO offices at Orient House, calling 4/21 briefing for diplomats a PA "provocation." PA accuses PM Netanyahu of trying to ignite an incident in Jerusalem before the 5/17 Israeli elections; claims that mtg. was a PLO event, not a violation of the ban on PA diplomatic activity in Jerusalem. (MM, WP, WT 4/23; AFP 4/23 in WNC 4/26; al-Quds 4/23, MENA, RJ 4/24, MENA 4/25 in WNC 4/27; WJW 4/29; PR 4/30)

In Damascus, Jordan's King Abdallah holds final round of talks on bilateral ties, regional issues with Pres. Asad before returning to Amman. (MM 4/22; JT, JTV 4/22 in WNC 4/23; WT 4/23; al-Ra'i 4/23 in WNC 4/26; Petra-JNA 4/25 in WNC 4/27; JP 4/30; MEI 5/7; MM 5/12; al-Watan al-Arabi 5/14 in WNC 5/18)

Russian FM Ivanov arrives in Israel on 1st leg of regional tour aimed at reviving the peace process. Israeli candidates, vying for votes fr. Israel's Russian immigrants, who make up 14% of the electorate, queue to meet him. (MM 4/22; ITAR-TASS 4/22 in WNC 4/23; WT 4/23; AFP 4/23 in WNC 4/26; JP 4/30; MEI 5/7; WP 5/8)

IDF closes Palestinian school nr. Ariel settlement in the West Bank following stone throwing incidents nearby. (IDF Radio 4/22 in WNC 4/23)

In Damascus, Jordan's King Abdallah, Syria's Pres. Asad hold 3 rounds of talks on promoting bilateral ties, marking a thaw in relations that deteriorated after Jordan, Israel signed a peace treaty in 1994. (MM, WT 4/21; SATN 4/21 in WNC 4/22; al-Thawra 4/21 in WNC 4/26; NYT 4/22; JTV, al-Ra'i 4/22 in WNC 4/23; CSM 4/23)

In Cairo, Arafat meets with Pres. Mubarak, Arab League secy. gen. (MENA 4/21 in WNC 4/22; WP 4/22; al-Quds 4/22 in WNC 4/26)

Jordanian officials report that Israel has dropped plans to cut water supplies to the kingdom this yr. due to drought. (AFP, JT 4/21 in WNC 4/22; HA [international edition] 4/23; al-Ra'i 4/28 in WNC 4/30; MEI 5/7) (see 3/14)

Faisal Husseini, in his capacity as a PLO official, holds political briefing at Orient House in East Jerusalem for 30 foreign diplomats, incl. EU officials, several Arab ambs. Husseini is also the PA's minister for Jerusalem affairs. (MM, WP, WT 4/23; JP, MM, PR 4/30) (see 3/18)

IDF lifts closure on the West Bank, Gaza that was imposed on 4/19. (NYT 4/23)

Arafat arrives in China for talks on the Palestinian statehood issue. (Xinhua 4/15 in WNC 4/19)

Jordan's King Abdallah holds talks with UAE leader Shaykh Zayid on bilateral ties. The pair then meets with Egypt's Pres. Mubarak for talks on peace process, regional issues. (MENA, Petra-JNA, RJ 4/14 in WNC 4/15; MEI 4/23)

Israeli Justice Min. announces that the UN comm. handling claims against Iraq for reparations fr. the 1991 Gulf War has authorized $31.5 m. in compensation to 68 Israeli companies, $260,831 to 13 individuals who suffered losses or injures as a result of Iraqi scud attacks. The money will be drawn fr. Iraqi oil revenues. (NYT 4/15; WP 4/16; JP 4/23)

In Amman, Arafat meets with King Abdallah. (RJ 4/4 in WNC 4/5; WT 4/5; al-Riyad 4/7 in WNC 4/15)

Jordan's King Abdallah begins a 3 day visit to Saudi Arabia today on 1st leg of regional tour aimed at restoring Arab solidarity, inter-Arab coordination; meets with King Fahd and Crown Prince Abdallah, who urge Jordan to limit ties with Iraq. (MM 4/6; JTV 4/6 in WNC 4/7; MM 4/7; `Ukaz 4/7, al-Ra'i 4/9 in WNC 4/14; al-Riyad 4/7 in WNC 4/15; MM 4/9; MEI 4/23)

Clashes erupt in Nazareth btwn. Christians and Muslims, who oppose planned construction of a plaza for millennium Christian pilgrims nr. a mosque. More than 70 Israeli police arrive but make no effort to stop the rioting, which leaves 7 Palestinians injured. There have been nonviolent protests over the project for more than a yr. (WP, WT 4/5; MM 4/8; MEI 4/23)

Egypt recalls its diplomatic mission fr. Belgrade to protest attacks against Albanians in Kosovo. (MENA 4/4 in WNC 4/5)

IDF shelling in s. Lebanon, injures 8 Lebanese civilians, including 5 children. (VOL 4/4 in WNC 4/5; WP 4/5; RL 4/5, 4/6 in WNC 4/7; WT 4/9; JP 4/16)

In Vienna, Arafat meets Austrian chancellor Victor Klima. (Oesterreich Eins Radio Network 3/21 in WNC 3/22)

First lady Hillary Clinton, daughter Chelsea arrive in Egypt for 5 day visit on 1st leg of N. African tour. (MENA 3/21 in WNC 3/22)

PM Netanyahu arrives in Kiev for brief talks with Ukrainian pres. Leonid Kuchma on bilateral economic relations, preventing flow of nuclear know-how to Iran. He then heads to Moscow for 2 days of similar talks with Russian officials. (ITAR-TASS 3/21 in WNC 3/22; MM 3/22, 3/25; MEI 3/26; Zerkalo Nedeli [Kiev] 3/27 in WNC 4/7)

Israel's High Court rules that the more than 600 bedouin who entered Israel fr. Egypt and requested asylum face no danger fr. the Egyptian government, clearing the way for their deportation. (WP 3/22; CSM, NYT 3/23; PR 3/26) (see 3/15)

King Abdallah of Jordan issues royal decree naming his wife, Rania, queen. Queen Nur, wife of the late King Hussein, will be known as "queen mother." (NYT, WP 3/22)

Israeli judge quashes atty. gen.'s request to review the High Court's decision not to extradite Sheinbein to the U.S., allowing Sheinbein to be formally indicted on murder charges on 3/22. Even if convicted in Israel, Sheinbein would face prosecution if he returned to the U.S. (WP 3/22, 3/23; WJW 3/25; WP 3/28; JP 4/2)

Saudi Arabia acknowledges that it refuses to allow U.S. planes based in the kingdom to take part in raids on Iraq, that it objects to loosened rules of engagement. (NYT 3/22)

Refugee Working Group holds 2 mtgs. in Paris to follow up on family reunification talks. (al-Hayat 3/22; MM 4/6)

Jordan, Egypt, PA hold long-delayed tripartite coordination mtg. in Amman to discuss the post-Oslo period (MENA, RJ, VOA 3/20, al-Quds 3/21 in WNC 3/22; WT 3/21; JT 3/22 in WNC 3/23)

In Athens, Arafat meets with Greek pres. Kostis Stephanopoulos. (Athens News Agency 3/21 in WNC 3/22)

The PA releases 2 Palestinian political detainees. 1 of the prisoners, Harb al-Daqs, had been held without charge for 3 yrs. (PR 3/26)

Following cooperation talks with the Muslim Brotherhood's Islamic Action Front (IAF) party, Jordan's main opposition party, King Abdallah releases 15 Islamists who were detained over the past few wks. for security reasons, orders general amnesty to coincide with upcoming Id al-Adha holiday under which some 600 prisoners will be freed. (AFP 3/20 in WNC 3/22)

Lebanese military court sentences 6 persons to death for collaborating with Israel. (MENA 3/20 in WNC 3/22)

Arafat meets with Spanish FM Abel Matutes in Madrid. (RNE International [Madrid] 3/16 in WNC 3/19; WT 3/17)

U.S. special envoy Dennis Ross makes last minute trip to Madrid to meet with Arafat regarding his upcoming mtg. in Washington with Pres. Clinton on 3/23. (RNE International [Madrid] 3/16 in WNC 3/19; NYT 3/17)

U.S. House of Representatives approves (380-24) a resolution urging Pres. Clinton to oppose any unilateral declaration of a Palestinian state. (WP 3/17; WJW 2/18; MM 3/19, 3/22)

On his 1st trip abroad as head of state, King Abdullah of Jordan goes to Cairo, where he, Egyptian pres. Mubarak discuss peace process and economics, inaugurate $229 m. electricity grid linking Jordan, Egypt. (MENA, RJ, VOA 3/16 in WNC 3/17; MM, WP 3/17)

King Abdallah of Jordan replaces PM Tarawnah with fmr. dep. PM `Abd al-Rauf al-Rawabda, Chief of the Royal Court Jawad Anani with fmr. PM `Abd al-Karim Kabariti. Rawabda, who is strongly disliked by the opposition and Jordanian Palestinians, immediately announces new 25 mbr. cabinet, which retains all but 7 mbrs. of the outgoing cabinet. Abdallah urges new cabinet to consolidate ties with Israel, work for more open government, freer press. Analysts interpret changes as marking further side-lining of Prince Hassan, increased focus on internal affairs. (AFP, MENA, RJ 3/4 in WNC 3/5; MM, NYT, WP, WT 3/5; JT 3/7 in WNC 3/8; al-Dustur 3/7, al-Bayan 3/8 in WNC 3/9; MM 3/9, 3/10; al-Bilad 3/10 in WNC 3/11; JP, MEI 3/12; al-Watan al-Arabi 3/12 in WNC 3/22; JTV 4/3 in WNC 4/5)

Lebanon's fmr. Energy M Shahih Barsoumian is arrested on suspicion of corruption involving hundreds of millions of dollars in fuel imports, the 1st major public figure to fall in the government's continuing antigraft crackdown. (NYT 3/5, 3/6) (see 1/7)

At the UAE's request, the Gulf Cooperation Council holds an emergency mtg. to discuss Iranian military maneuvers nr. 3 disputed islands (see 2/27); issues statement denounces Iran's actions, urging mediation to resolve dispute. (MM 3/5)

After lull in attacks following disruption of oil exports 2/28, British jets strike surface-to-air missile sites in s. Iraq. (NYT 3/5, 3/7)