The Palestine Chronology

11th round of Israel-PA talks on elections start in Cairo. Both sides suggest bringing international observers into o.t. to help organize elections. (MENA 2/20, MENA 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MENA, VOP 2/21 in FBIS 2/22; CSM, NYT 2/22; MEI 3/3)

Arafat convenes PLO Executive Comm. in Cairo to reassess peace process, detainees and elections issues, configuration and functioning of PA. 9 mbrs. attend; DFLP, PFLP boycott. Chief PLO spokesman and PA Information M Yasir `Abid Rabbu calls for suspension of talks with Israel. PM Rabin asks PLO not to suspend talks. (AFP, MENA, RMC, VOP 2/20, VOP 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; CSM, MM 2/21; MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/22; MENA 2/21, VOP 2/22 in FBIS 2/22; al-Sharq al-Awsat 2/21, QY 2/22 in FBIS 2/23; JP 3/4)

4-way (Egypt, Israel, Jordan, PA) ministerial mtg. on refugees scheduled for 2/26 is postponed until further notice at Israel's request. (al-Aswaq 2/22 in FBIS 2/22; RJ 2/24 in FBIS 2/24; JT 2/25 in FBIS 2/27)

Arab League condemns Israel for recent attacks on civilians in s. Lebanon, calls on UN to do the same. (RE 2/21 in FBIS 2/21) (see 2/19, 2/20)

PM Rabin gives Shas 2 unassigned portfolios--interior and religious affairs--giving Shas significant influence over ruling coalition of which it is not a part. Meretz M Yossi Sarid threatens to resign. (MM 2/20 QY 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; JP 3/4)

IDF arrests Hamas political leader Shaykh Jamil Hamami in his home in the West Bank following the "seizure of a very large quantity of inflammatory material . . . that incriminated him" during 1/27 raid on Abu Dis College of Science and Technology. (ITV 2/21 in FBIS 2/22)

Frmr. Nablus mayor Bassam al-Shak`a announces establishment of new group, Palestinian National Grouping (PNG; al-Tajammu` al-Watani al-Filistini), opposed to Oslo Accord, calls on Arafat to resign. Group includes independents, mbrs. of Islamic Jihad, DFLP, PFLP. (QPAR, QY 2/22 in FBIS 2/23; RMC 2/25 in FBIS 2/26; ITV 2/25, QY 2/27 in FBIS 2/27; MA 2/26 in FBIS 2/28; al-Quds, SARR 2/28 in FBIS 3/1)

In response to German reports that Israel, Iran are negotiating release of Israeli airman Ron Arad, PM Rabin admits Germany has been talking to Iran on Israel's behalf but has had no success. (ITV 2/20, QY 2/21, 2/22 in FBIS 2/22; MM, WP 2/21; IDF radio 2/21 in FBIS 2/21; MM, NYT 2/22; WT 2/27; JP 3/4, 3/11; WJW 3/16)

PFLP leader Habash, following meetings in Damascus, says 10 Palestinian opposition factions will form new front to counter DoP, "rebuild the PLO on democratic bases." (MM 10/18)

Yeshiva student stabbed by Palestinian at Cave of the Patriarchs in Hebron, West Bank. Curfew imposed on Hebron Palestinians; settlers rampage, injuring 6 Palestinians. DFLP (Hawatmah faction), in statement issued in Damascus, claims responsibility for knife attack, pledges "to escalate and expand our military operations against the enemy and the settlers in all the occupied Palestinian territories until we foil the Gaza-Jericho agreement." PFLP claims responsibility for 10/9 killing of 2 Israeli hikers near Jericho. (WP 10/16, WT 10/18)

Israeli PM Rabin visits Indonesia, largest country without diplomatic relations with Israel, and meets with Pres. Suharto, chairman of Nonaligned Movement, for over an hour. Rabin states he is looking for nonaligned support for peace process and cooperation with Israel. An Indonesian diplomat is quoted by NYT as saying establishment of Indonesian-Israeli diplomatic relations is "only a matter of time," but that Jakarta wishes "to see the Middle East peace process progress a bit further." Rabin also visits Singapore, Kenya. (NYT 10/16; MM 10/18)

PLO Chmn. Arafat announces Hamas has agreed to not obstruct PLO efforts to implement PLO-Israel agreement, refrain fr. violence among Palestinians. Agreement allegedly signed 9/15 in Gaza by Fateh and Hamas reps. Arafat says pact paves way for 10/93 meeting in Yemen between PLO and opposition factions. Arafat travels to Alexandria to reassure Egyptian Pres. Mubarak of Palestinian gratitude for support in peace process. (MM 9/16; NYT 9/17; WT 9/18)

Syrian radio reports VP Khaddam met with DFLP leader Nayif Hawatmah, PFLP head George Habash. (MM, NYT 9/17)

Jordan begins police registration of illegal Palestinian residents. Estimated 60,000 residents of o.t. have overstayed temporary Jordanian visas this year. (Sawt al-Sha'b 9/16 in FBIS 9/17; MM 9/17)

Opinion surveys show that 60% of Israeli Jews support Israel-PLO agreement signed 9/13. (WP 9/17)

EC pledges $1 b. for Middle East programs. Funds are earmarked for hospital, 50,000 housing units in Gaza and building of Palestinian "administrative backbone." EC also considering funding large-scale regional programs, including highway system to link Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria. EC commissioner for development aid Manuel Marin meets in Brussels with PLO official Nabil Shaath to discuss distribution of assistance. (WP 9/17)

U.S. troops begin leaving Gulf; Def. Sec. Cheney says U.S. will return average of 5,000 troops per day over next few weeks [LAT, WP, CSM 3/8; MET 3/19].

En route to Saudi Arabia as part of 11-day Middle East tour, Sec. Baker says he will propose series of "confidence-building measures" between Israel and Arab states to open path to broader peace talks [LAT, NYT, WP, WT 3/8].

In Kuwait, at least 2 Palestinians have been shot dead and 5 others hospitalized from beatings and shootings, as Palestinians raise concerns about reprisals against their community in Kuwait [LAT, NYT, WP 3/8].

Israeli gov't. rejects Pres. Bush's call for solution to Arab-Israeli conflict that includes trading land for peace; F.M. David Levy says attempts to pressure Israel are not welcome [LAT, WT 3/8; JDS, IDF, PDS 3/7, MAA 3/8 in FBIS 3/8]; in separate statements, PLO and Egypt welcome what they call "positive elements" in Pres. Bush's 3/6 speech [AVP, MENA 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; MEM 3/7].

Palestinian journalist Taher Shriteh, jailed without charge on 1/28/91, is freed on bail after international campaign to gain his release (cf. 3/11) [NYT, MEM 3/8; AFP 3/8 in FBIS 3/11; MET 3/19].

House of Representatives votes to authorize $15.8 billion to pay for Gulf war, and also $650 million for Israel, and warns other nations that Congress "may consider appropriate action" if promised payments are not made [NYT, WP, WT 3/8].

Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar selects Switzerland's ambassador to Washington, Edouard Brunner, asspecial Middle East envoy to begin new high-priority search for solution to Arab-Israeli conflict [WP 3/8].

Palestinian leaders representing Fateh, PFLP, and DFLP, but not Hamas, meet in Jerusalem with visiting EC "troika" representatives including Italian F.M. Gianni de Michelis; EC ministers also meet with Israeli P.M. Shamir and D.M. Arens, then depart for Jordan [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; FJ 3/11; MET 3/19].

Border policeman in Nablus is stabbed, wounded; attacker escapes and army imposes curfew on Nablus and adjacent refugee camps [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/8]; 30 Palestinians are detained in Jerusalem after IDF opens fire on demonstrators [JDS 3/7 in FBIS 3/11].

Syria and Saudi Arabia sign wide-ranging cooperation agreement which both nations say was sign of desire to foster closer relations [MEM 3/8].

Italian F.M. de Michelis is quoted as calling for "internal revolt in the Palestinian [resistance] movement" now that PLO has "ruled itself out" of peace negotiations [MEM 3/7].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: P.M. Peres states he is considering ways to promote self-rule among Palestinians in the occupied territories, outlines plans to nominate mayors in 3 major West Bank towns, would consider easing restrictions on travel to Jordan [NYT 2/27]. Israeli Army Chief of Staff Moshe Levy states 170 people were arrested during 6-day sweep in S. Lebanon, some have been transferred toprisons in Israel [NYT, TS 2/27].

Arab World: Radio Monte Carlo broadcasts statements by Nayif Hawatmah, general secretary of the DFLP, and a representative of the Palestine Communist party outlining conditions for rapprochement with Yasir Arafat's Fateh faction: (1) cancellation of the 11 February Amman agreement; (2) convening of the PNC; (3) creation of a collective leadership in the PLO [FJ 2/28].

Military Action

Arab World: Car bomb explodes outside entrance to 'Ain al-Hilwah refugee camp, near Sidon, killing driver and wounding 10; explosion occurred a half-hour before Palestinian students were to join a march to commemorate a slain Sidon leader [NYT, WP, CT 2/27].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In demonstrations called for by Democratic Front for Peace and Equality, Palestinians in Nazareth and Kafr Yassif protest IDF brutality in S. Lebanon, discrimination faced by Arabs in Israel and occupied territories [FJ 3/22]. Al Hamishmar reports Jordan's Min. for Religious Affairs dismissed Mufti of Jerusalem, Sheikh Saad al-Din al-Alami; cites al-Alami's outspoken support of PLO Chmn. Arafat as one reason [NER 3/25].

Arab World: King Hussein states 2/11 Arafat-Hussein accord is "last chance" for peace; asserts PLO must be part of peace plans [NYT 3/17].

Other Countries: US Sec. of State Shultz announces US will send State Dept. official Richard Murphy to Middle East soon to "maintain momentum" of peace talks [NYT, WP 3/16].

Military Action

Arab World: Action in S. Lebanon: IDF raid Barish; 70 detained [WP 3/16]. IDF kill 2 Lebanese Army troops, 3 resistance fighters, N. of IDF defense line at Litani River [MG 3/16]. IDF arrest 4 journalists near Tyre [LT 3/16].

Social/Economic/Political:

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Police discover huge cache of weapons, including 107 grenades, 80 loaded magazines, mines, anti-tank bazooka shells and several dozen kilos of explosives in evacuated Palestinian village of Lifta near Jerusalem; suspected to be linked with "TNT" cells. MK Tsaban's motion to establish a committee of inquiry into the invasion of Lebanon defeated in Knesset vote (42-33). PM Shamir accuses Egypt of "tretreating from the Camp David framework, " citing Egypt's failure to return its ambassador to Israel. MK Rabin says PLO operations against Israel were "child's play" compared to Shi'ite "terror" against IDF in S. Lebanon. Chief of Staff Levy tells Foreign Affairs & Defense Com. 2,000 [Palestinian] "terrorists" have returned to Beirut, and IDF withdrawal from S. Lebanon would not guarantee Israel secure borders. 4 American-Israeli youths arrested for last Sunday's attack on Arab bus near Ramallah. 5 Galilee Palestinians arrested on prima facie evidence of membership in religiousnationalist organization that may have set fire to 30 vehicles in recent months. Nablus mayor Shaka'a rejects military authorities' conditions placed on his travel permit to US.

Other Countries: US amb. to OAS Middendorf affirms US and Israel have mutual strategic interests in Central America where a battle is being waged by "atheistic Communism to destroy our 'Judeo-Christian civilization'." "Moral Majority" leader Jerry Falwell reaffirms support for Israel before group at Herzl Institute, NY, stating Israel's best friends in US are "Bible-believing Christians" and US should not have interrupted Israel's "liberation" of Lebanon from Syrian and PLO "slavery." Rev. Jesse Jackson's US presidential campaign staff compile evidence of "hounding" by some Jewish-American organizations.

Military Action:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: 3 Israelis killed and 9 wounded in booby-trapped bomb explosion on bus near Ashdod; Abu Nidal's PDFLP-GC in Damascus claims responsibility; 150 Arab men rounded up as suspects.

SOCIAL/POLITICAL:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israeli FM Yehud Ben-Meir resigns. During visit of Italy's FM Giulio Andreotti, PM Shamir voices alarm at potential damage to Israel's exports if Spain and Portugal admitted to EEC. Israel's High Court refuses recently-imprisoned conscientious objector's challenge to re-mobilization orders issued immediately on his release from prison. Muslim cemetery in Jaffa vandalized; tombstones spray-painted with threats to Arabs, signed "TNT."

Arab World: Arafat meets Pres. Mubarak in Cairo; DFLP criticizes move; Khaled Fahum terms it "flagrant violation of rule of PNC;" Saleh Khalaf calls it a personal move by Arafat.

Other Countries: US hails Mubarak-Arafat mtg. Venice prosecutor issues warrant for Arafat's arrest on charge he had knowledge PLO supplied weapons to Red Brigade.

MILITARY ACTION:

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Hebron curfewed after grenade thrown at Usama Ibn Munqeth School, occupied by Jewish squatters.