The Palestine Chronology

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Saudi King Fahd pledges to support Egypt's full return to Arab League [LAT 4/1].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/lIsrael: Israel, United States agree to develop $35 million research center to work on S.D.I. [MET 4/11].

Arab World: Washington Post reports that Iraq is engaged in crash program to build atomic weapons and will test warhead within 2-5 years [WP 3/3 1]. In S. Lebanon PFLP, Lebanese resistance attacks Israeli positions; 2 guerrillas are killed [MET 4/ 11].

Other Countries: Nordic foreign ministers meet, issue statement on Middle East saying that they approve of PLO's recognition of Israel, acceptance of UN resolutions 242, 338 and they urge Israel not to interfere with function of UNIFIL [FJ 4/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel closes al-Raya, an Umm al-Fahm-based newspaper, on grounds that it is PFLP front [FBIS 3/3, FJ 3/6]. Number of Israelis applying for unemployment benefits for the first time reaches new record in February; unemployment in Israel in February is up 78% over same period in 1988 [FBIS 3/16].

Arab World: Arafat declares that PLO will continue military raids across Israel's northern border [WP 3/4].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: At least 5 Palestinians are shot, wounded in W. Bank [FBIS 3/6].

Arab World: Israeli commander speaks of expanding Israeli-imposed "security zone" in S. Lebanon [FBIS 3/3]. PFLP-GC captures, later releases 2 American diplomats near camp outside of Damascus, accuses them of spying [LAT, WP 3/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Israel holds municipal elections [FBIS 2/28].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: In Dayr Ibzi' soldiers kill 25-year-old Palestinian. At least 16 Palestinians are shot, wounded throughout O.T. Israel blocks entry/exist to/from O.T. [FBIS 2/28].

Arab World: PFLP attacks SLA position in S. Lebanon, kills 2, wounds 2 [FBIS 3/1].