The Palestine Chronology

Israeli-Palestinian fighting in the West Bank and Gaza abates slightly but escalates again this evening, leaving at least 3 Palestinians dead. The most serious incident is in Nablus, where the IDF, implementing the Sharm agmts., turns over Joseph's Tomb to the PSF. Palestinians celebrating the IDF pullback overrun the PSF, destroy the tomb. In response, armed Jewish settlers roam areas around West Bank settlements, stoning and firing at Palestinian cars, killing 1 Palestinian. Inside Israel, Jews fr. Upper Nazareth rampage through Arab Nazareth throwing stones at Israeli Palestinians, sparking a riot; when Israeli Arabs start to fight back, Israeli riot police intervene, using tear gas and live ammunition, shooting dead 2 Israeli Arabs. In Tiberias, Jews vandalize a historic mosque. The IDF moves tanks into the West Bank to guard the Jewish settlement of Psagot, which has been the target of Palestinian sniping. At Rafah airport, Palestinians fire on a bus Israeli airport workers, injuring 8. Israel shuts the airport. (LAW 10/7; MENA, RL 10/7, al-Quds 10/8, AFP, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; ADM, NYT, WP, WT 10/8; MM, NYT, WT 10/9; AYM 10/9, MA 10/10, 10/11 in WNC 10/12; NYT 10/10; WJW 10/12; MEI 10/13; WJW 10/19; WP 10/28)

Barak calls up IDF reservists, sets an ultimatum of 48 hrs. for Palestinians to halt their assaults on IDF outposts, Jewish settlements or "we will regard this as a cessation by Arafat of the peace process, and we will order the army to use all means at its disposal." Barak also says he is considering forming a "unity government" with Likud MK Sharon. (AYM 10/7, al-Quds 10/9 in WNC 10/12; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; AYM 10/8 in WNC 10/13; MM 10/9; Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/11; JP, MEI 10/13)

Nr. Shaba` Farms, IDF soldiers fire across the blue line into Lebanon at 100s of Palestinian refugees staging a protest, killing 2, wounding 15. In response, Hizballah guerrillas cross into Golan Heights, kidnap 3 IDF soldiers; fire rockets at the IDF's Shaba` outpost, injuring 6 soldiers. Barak reinforces the border area, sends Israeli warplanes and attack helicopters into Lebanon to strike Hizballah targets, injuring 4 Lebanese civilians. U.S.'s Albright phones Lebanese pres. Lahoud, Syrian pres. Asad to urge them to intercede with Hizballah to release the IDF soldiers. France, Germany, the Red Cross, Russia, the UN open channels with Hizballah, which demands Israel release at least 19 Lebanese political prisoners (kidnaped by the IDF in Lebanon, held without trial for as long as 20 yrs.) in exchange for the soldiers. (CNN [Internet] 10/7; RL 10/7, AYM 10/8, Interfax 10/9, Le Monde 10/10 in WNC 10/10; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; Manar TV [Internet], MM, NYT, WT 10/9; al-Quds 10/9, DUS, al-Safir 10/10 in WNC 10/12; MM, NYT, WP 10/10; NYT, WJW, WP 10/12; JP, MEI 10/13; JP 10/27, 11/3)

After 6 days of debate, the UNSC passes (14 to 0, with the U.S. abstaining) a watered down resolution that condemns the "excessive use of force" against the Palestinians but does not mention Israel by name. U.S. Amb. Richard Holbrooke threatened to veto stronger language. (AP 10/7; NYT, WP, WT 10/8; AYM 10/8 in WNC 10/13; MM, NYT, WT 10/9; CSM, WP 10/10; MEI 10/13)

In Amman, Jordanian police open fire on Palestinian refugees demonstrating for the closure of the Israeli emb., killing 1, arresting 97. Demonstrations condemning Israeli violence, U.S. support of Israel are held in Bahrain, Canada, Egypt, France, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Mauritania, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Turkey, the UAE, and Yemen. In the U.S., rallies are held in Albuquerque, Dearborn, New York. (BBC, al-Jazeera TV [Internet] 10/7; AFP, ATL, MENA 10/7, JT 10/8 in WNC 10/10; Daily Star 10/12 in WNC 10/13; Gulf News [Internet], NYT 10/8; MM 10/11; AYM 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MEI 10/13)

In Paris, U.S. Secy. of State Albright, CIA Dir. Tenet meet with Arafat, Barak. After 12 hrs. of talks, joined at times by UN Secy.-Gen. Annan and French pres. Chirac, the sides reach an arrangement under which Barak agrees to withdraw troops to their positions before 9/28, Arafat agrees to try to curb Palestinian rioting, both sides agree to keep people away fr. 3 hot spots (Netzarim Junction in Gaza, Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, and the "circle area" nr. Ramallah). The U.S. had hoped Arafat and Barak would sign a document outlining the agmts., but the Arafat would do so only if the text included provisions for an international inquiry, which Barak rejected. After the mtg. Albright, Arafat leave for Sharm al-Shaykh. Barak returns to Israel, saying there no point in meeting with Mubarak. (MM, REU 10/4; AFP, ATL, Interfax, IRNA, ITAR-TASS, MENA, Yonhap [Seoul] 10/4, AFP, IDF Radio, Interfax, JT, MA, MENA, al-Quds, SA, VOI 10/5 in WNC 10/6; AP, CSM, LAW, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; Arab News 10/5, AYM, HJ, MENA 10/6, SA 10/7, MENA 10/9 in WNC 10/10; MM, WP 10/6; AYM, Le Monde 10/11 in WNC 10/12; MM, WP 10/12; JP, MEI 10/13)

Meanwhile, Palestinian-Israeli clashes continue in the West Bank, Gaza, and Israel, leaving 9 Palestinians dead, 10s wounded; 2 Palestinians die of wounds received earlier. An Israeli Arab is killed in a clash Israeli police in Kefar Manda in the Galilee. The IDF eases open-fire regulations, permitting soldiers to fire on any vehicles approaching checkpoints and continues to use heavy weapons, but overall the fighting is less intense than in previous days. The most serious clashes are nr. Bethlehem, Jaffa, Nablus, Netzarim Junction. (MM 10/4; ANSA, IRNA 10/4 in WNC 10/6; LAW, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; HJ, Daily Star 10/5 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/9)

Protests against Israel's actions are held in Damascus, where 1,000s of students demonstrate outside the U.S. emb.; in Cairo, where 1,500 students demonstrate outside the Israeli emb.; and in Amman, where riot police fire tear gas to disperse 800 protesters marching toward the Israeli emb., injuring 62. In Copenhagen, 5,000 attend a Palestinian solidarity rally. Smaller rallies are staged in Istanbul, London, Rome. In the U.S. demonstrations are staged in Dearborn, Detroit, Madison, Miami, New Haven, Portland. (MENA 10/4 in WNC 10/5; ATL 10/4, JT 10/5 in WNC 10/6; MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/5; MENA 10/5, HJ 10/6 in WNC 10/10; MENL 10/11)

The PA releases 12 Hamas political prisoners who had been held without charge in PA jails. Israel says the PA is giving a "green light for terrorism." (HJ 10/5 in WNC 10/6; WP 10/6)

The PC convenes an emergency session in Ramallah, denounces Israel's aggression, calls for an Arab summit. (WP 10/5)

Citing "compelling national security interests," the State Dept. sends Amb. Indyk back to Israel to maintain contact with Israeli officials during the clashes. (WT 10/5) (see 9/22)

Despite another attempt to secure a cease-fire, Israeli-Palestinian clashes in Israel and throughout the West Bank and Gaza continue, leaving 10 Palestinians, 7 Israeli Arabs, 1 IDF soldier, 1 Jewish settler dead and some 300 Palestinians injured; 3 Israeli Arabs wounded on 10/1 also die. Israel closes roads in n. Israel, the West Bank, Gaza to civilian traffic. Around 30 exchanges of gunfire btwn. Israeli security forces and armed Palestinian civilians and police are reported. Nr. Tulkarm, Palestinians set afire an industrial plant owned by Jewish settlers. Nr. Hebron, Jewish settlers fatally shoot a Palestinian. The IDF dep. chief of staff Moshe Ya'alon warns that if Palestinians do not stop attacking troops guarding Joseph's Tomb in Nablus, the IDF will move in even though the area is under full PA control; the IDF has taken up positions around areas A but has not crossed into them. Barak authorizes his forces to use "all necessary means" to protect Israeli lives, quell riots. (AP, MM 10/2; AFP, ANSA, EFE [Madrid], Interfax, RL, XIN 10/2 in WNC 10/3; RL, SAPA [Johannesburg] 10/2, JT, HJ, al-Quds, SA 10/3 in WNC 10/6; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/3; HJ, al-Quds, Sabah 10/3, MA 10/6 in WNC 10/10; MM 10/9)

The IDF claims that Muhammad al-Dura, the 12-yr.-old killed at Netzarim Junction on 10/1, had been throwing stones at soldiers before he was shot, contradicting widely broadcast footage of the incident recorded by France 2 TV showing the boy and his father pinned down by gunfire for 45 minutes. The pair were returning from errands and had been dropped off by a taxi, which refused to take them across Netzarim Junction because of heavy IDF fire. (Age [Melbourne], HA [Internet], MM, WP 10/3; MA 10/6 in WNC 10/10)

U.S. secy. of state Albright announces that she will meet with Arafat, Barak in Paris on 10/4 to discuss the clashes, the peace process. All 3 will then meet with Mubarak in Sharm al-Shaykh on 10/5. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 10/3; Radio France International 10/3 in WNC 10/6)

In Amman, Arafat, King Abdallah discuss the Israeli-Palestinian clashes, call on Israel to pull back forces to restore calm, and urge Arab states to convene an emergency summit. In Cairo, Mubarak, Syrian pres. Asad also call for an Arab summit. Massive rallies protesting Israeli actions are held in Amman, Cairo, Damascus, refugee camps in Lebanon, Yemen. Protests are also held outside Israeli embassies and legations in many European and North American cities, including Ann Arbor, Austin, Brussels, Chicago, Detroit, Houston, London, Los Angeles, Montreal, New Haven, New York, Ottawa. (AP, BDL, UPI 10/2; MENA 10/2 in WNC 10/3; MENA 10/2, JT, MENA 10/3, JT 10/4 in WNC 10/6; NYT, WP, WT 10/3; AYM 10/3 in WNC 10/12; MM, WT 10/4; WJW 10/5; HJ 10/5, al-Quds 10/7 in WNC 10/10; JP 10/13)

In Paris, PA Planning M Shaath briefs French pres. Chirac on the ongoing clashes. Chirac calls on both sides to deescalate the violence, calls for an international inquiry into the clashes. (AFP 10/2, 10/3, Le Monde 10/4 in WNC 10/6)

In New York, the UNSC begins closed-door mtgs. on several draft resolutions regarding the ongoing Palestinian-Israeli clashes. Britain, the U.S. lobby against issuing a resolution, saying, at most, a statement should be read. (UPI 10/3; HA [Internet] 10/4; WJW 10/5)

The donors' Joint Liaison Comm. convenes in Gaza. (World Bank press release 2/1)

The Israeli-Syrian talks resumes with a welcoming ceremony at the White House for Israeli PM Barak, Syrian FM Shara` hosted by Pres. Clinton. While Clinton and Barak speak briefly and optimistically of possibility of accord, Shara` gives a prepared address welcoming talks but listing Syria's grievances (see Doc. A5). Afterward, Clinton meets with Barak, Shara` together and then separately. Both men also meet privately with Secy. Albright, who then takes them to Blair House, where they discuss procedural matters, with Albright and special envoy Ross on hand. (CSM, MM 12/15; SA, XIN 12/15 in WNC 12/16; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/16; al-Quds 12/16 in WNC 12/20; AYM 12/16, IRIB Television [Tehran] 12/20 in WNC 12/21; MM 12/20, 12/21; JP, MEI 12/24)

At a cabinet mtg., Lebanese PM Huss says that Dep. PM Michel al-Murr will head the Lebanese delegation in talks with Israel when needed. (RL 12/15 in WNC 12/16; RL 12/16 in WNC 12/17; RL 12/18, 12/19 in WNC 12/20; MEI 1/14)

Interior M Natan Sharansky's Yisrael Ba'Aliya party, Housing M Yitzhak Levy's National Religious Party say the may pull out of Israel's coalition government if Barak agrees to return the Golan to Syria. Their departure would leave Barak with control of 59 of 120 Knesset seats. (NYT 12/16)

In Amman, King Abdallah, Russian dep. FM Sredin discuss the peace process. Sredin then leaves for Israel, where he meets with Israeli pres. Weizman. (ITAR-TASS 12/15 in WNC 12/16; ITAR-TASS 12/16 in WNC 12/17)

Jordan announces that the 13 Arabs (11 Jordanians, an Iraqi, an Algerian) recently arrested for plotting attacks against U.S. targets in the Middle East (see 12/13) were detained in the kingdom. Several others are wanted for questioning. (WP, WT 12/16; AFP, JT, SA 12/16 in WNC 12/17; CSM, WP 12/17; SA 12/17, JT 12/18, SA 12/19 in WNC 12/20; JT 1/6 in WNC 1/7)

Secy. Albright briefs PM Barak on her mtg. with Syrian pres. Asad, then meets with Arafat in Ramallah. She presents both Barak and Arafat with a rough time line for concluding a FAPS. (MM 12/8; NYT 12/9; AYM 12/9 in WNC 12/14; MM 12/13; MEI 12/24)

Hrs. later in Washington, Pres. Clinton announces that Israel, Syria have agreed to resume negotiations. PM Barak, Syrian FM Faruq al-Shara` will hold an initial mtg. next wk. in Washington, to be followed immediately by intensive negotiations at an as yet undermined location. (MM 12/8; MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/9; AFP, DUS, Interfax, MENA, RL, SA, XIN 12/9 in WNC 12/10; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/10; WP 12/13)

Pres. Clinton, PM Barak both phone Arafat to assure him that the resumption of the Syrian-Israeli track will not affect progress on the PA-Israeli track. (WP 12/9; AYM 12/9, 12/11 in WNC 12/14; MM 12/13)

Syrian pres. Asad phones Lebanese pres. Emile Lahoud, PM Huss to coordinate positions in advance of Syrian-Israeli talks. They agree that neither Syria nor Lebanon will make a separate peace with Israel. (NYT 12/9; RL 12/9 in WNC 12/10; NYT 12/10)

In light of the announcement on the Syrian-Israeli talks, Russia calls for multilateral talks, which began in 1992 but stalled in 1996, to resume as soon as possible; offers to host a steering comm. mtg. (Interfax 12/9 in WNC 12/10)

In Amman, 100s of Jordanian university students hold a rally to protest the government decision to deport 4 Hamas leaders on 11/21. (SA 12/9 in WNC 12/10)

In Beirut, a group calling itself the World Islamic Front urges attacks on Russian embs. worldwide to protest Russia's war in the breakaway Muslim republic of Chechnya. (SA 12/9 in WNC 12/10)

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)

Inside Israel, Arafat holds 3 hrs. of secret talks with Barak. After mtg. is leaked to the Israeli press, Barak's office says that the PM wants to establish a pattern of regular mtgs. with Arafat so that the 2 leaders can closely monitor negotiations. FM Levy, who heads Israel's final status team, is reportedly angry that he was not told about Arafat's visit in advance. (MM 9/17; NYT, WP, WT 9/18; WJW 9/23; JP, MEI 10/1)

Arafat appoints PA Culture and Information M `Abid Rabbuh to lead final status talks with Israel. Arafat adviser Mahmud Abbas will oversee both the final status and interim negotiating teams, liaise btwn. teams and Arafat. Israel reportedly is not happy with the choice of `Abid Rabbuh, thinks he is an "extremist." (AFP 9/16 in WNC 9/17; WP 9/21, 9/22; MM 10/6, 10/26)

In Amman, Arafat, King Abdallah hold their 1st mtg. since the resumption of bilateral negotiations, agree to forge a common position on finals status issues. (JT 9/19 in WNC 9/21)

Barak's adviser for settlement affairs, Shilo Gal, says that some Jewish settlers in the West Bank may be forced to relocate some settlements may be dismantled under a final peace agmt. with the PA. For 20 yrs., Gal headed the Gush Etzion settlement council, which is opposed to Israeli withdrawals fr. the occupied territories. (MM, WP, WT 9/17; MEI 10/1)

Israel approves PA request to allow Ali Abu Mustafa, the dep. secy. gen. of the PFLP, to return to the occupied territories to live. (MM 9/16; WP 9/17; JP 9/24)

In Amman, Jordanian PM Rawabida, Israeli Regional Cooperation M Shimon Peres for talks on joint projects, promoting the economic objectives of the Jordan-Israel peace treaty and the greater peace process. (Petra-JNA 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

In Amman, Jordanian, Israeli communications Ms discuss bilateral ties, agree to link fiberoptic networks. (Petra-JNA 9/16 in WNC 9/17; JT 9/18 in WNC 9/21) (see 9/14)

In Beirut, retired Lebanese gen. Yasin Suwayd announces the formation of the National Comm. to Resist Normalization with Israel. (RL 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

An explosive charges goes off at a car parts store in `Ayn al-Hilwa refugee camp in s. Lebanon, causing damage but no injuries. (VOL 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

In s. Lebanon, 1 IDF soldier, 1 civilian IDF employee are injured by Hizballah shelling. (AFP 9/16 in WNC 9/17)

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)

PA-Israeli talks resume btwn. Netanyahu atty. Molho, PA Local Government M Erakat. Despite the lack of new ideas, the PA does not call a halt to talks. (CSM, MM 8/3; RE 8/3, AFP 8/4 in WNC 8/7; IGPO, MM, NYT 8/4)

In Amman, Crown Prince Hassan receives Israeli MK Yossi Sarid for talks on the peace process. (Petra-JNA 8/4 in WNC 8/6)

In Washington, Labor Chmn. Barak, MKs Yossi Beilin, Shlomo Ben-Ami, Ephraim Sneh (who are on a 5-day U.S. tour) meet with 12 AIPAC officials. The 4 men criticize AIPAC's recent lobbying efforts, such as the letter signed by 81 senators to Pres. Clinton, saying that AIPAC is "looking for battles at the expense of Israeli security." Netanyahu calls the U.S. trip "subversive." (CSM, MM 8/3; IGPO, MM 8/4; WJW 8/6, 8/13; JP 8/15)

Palestinian archaeologists working on the 1st dig in the PA self-rule areas uncover remains of Canaanite homes they believe date fr. around 3000 B.C.. (WT 8/5)

IDF demolishes reconstructed section Palestinian home in Anata that was 1st knocked down 7/9. (LAW 8/3)

Off the coast of Tyre, Israeli naval forces seize a Lebanese fishing boat, arrest 2 fishermen. (RL 8/3 in WNC 8/7)

A day after PM Netanyahu leaves the U.S., Labor Chmn. Barak arrives in Washington for talks with U.S. officials on the peace process. (MM 5/22)

EU reps. meet with Israeli Finance M Yaakov Neeman to discuss Israel's practice of exporting goods fr. the occupied territories with "Made in Israel" labels. (JP 5/30; see also AFP [Internet] 5/19)

In Amman, the PA, Jordan open 2 days of talks on the peace process, coordination btwn. the PC and parliament. Separately, PA Planning M Shaath, Jordanian PM `Abd al-Salam al-Majali discuss peace process, U.S. mediation (see 5/19). (JTV 5/20, RJ 5/21 in WNC 5/23; JTV 5/21 in WNC 5/27)

A panel of 9 Israeli High Court judges holds hearing on 6 petitions by Palestinian prisoners challenging the use of torture in interrogations by Israeli security services. Intelligence representatives testify that use of "moderate physical pressure" has prevented anti-Israeli attacks. (WP 5/21; NYT 5/22; LAW 5/23)

Hamas spiritual leader Shaykh Ahmad Yasin arrives in Syria fr. Yemen. (MENA 5/21 in WNC 5/23; MM 5/22; al-Quds al-Arabi 5/22 in WNC 5/27; PR 5/29)

Israeli-PLO security, civilian affairs comm. negotiations continue in Taba.  Security comm. discusses release of Palestinian prisoners, establishment of Palestinian police.  Israeli negotiator Gen. Amnon Shahak says draft paper on Palestinian police force "almost achieved."   Civilian Affairs comm. divides into subcoms. on electricity and civil planning, communications.  Palestinian negotiator Radwan Abu-Ayyash estimates cost of Palestinian broadcast network at $30 m.-$50 m. (MENA 2/16 in FBIS 2/16, 2/17; MM 2/16)

Bilateral Arab-Israeli talks resume in Washington. (Qol Yisra'el 2/16 in FBIS 2/16)

Egyptian State Broadcasting Authority renews official contact with Israeli Broadcasting Authority, broken during 1982 Lebanon war.  (MM 2/17; JP 2/26)

Higher Jordanian-Palestinian Comm. completes 2 days of mtgs. in Amman.  Jordanian Information M. Jawad al-Anani says PLO and Jordan have agreed on joint strategy in economic talks with Israel set for Paris.  Israel-Jordan joint economic comm. meets in Washington with U.S. participation. (RJ 2/16 in FBIS 2/16, 2/17; MM 2/16, 2/17)

AFP reports 1st all-Palestinian bank in o.t., "Commercial Bank of Palestine," will start operations 3/15 in Ramallah.  Bank, with capital of $14 m., is headed by businessman Suhail Jad`awn.  (AFP 2/16 in FBIS 2/17)

U.S. State Dept. announces Secy. of State Christopher will visit Middle East during 3/94. (MM 2/17)

PLO Chmn. Arafat accuses "Israeli officers" of condoning arms trade in o.t., warning flow of weapons "could lead to another Afghanistan among the Palestinians." (NYT 2/17)

IDF kills purported PFLP mbr. Najwan Mahmud Muhammad al-`Izza, 21, in Halhul, West Bank.  (MM 2/17) [CHALLENGE--2/15]

122-mm. katyusha rocket fired on northern Israel fr. southern Lebanon in 1st incident in 6 mos.  IDF blames attack on Palestinian opposition groups.  IDF tanks, artillery come to aid of SLA patrol ambushed by Hizballah.  Hizballah claims 12 SLA mbrs. killed or wounded.  (NYT, MM, WT 2/17; MM 2/18)

Israeli cabinet extends term of IDF Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Ehud Barak to 1/95.  Barak had been set to retire 4/94.  (MM 2/16)

PM Rabin's spokesman Oded Ben-Ami defends allowing 30 elite IDF veterans to serve in Congo as advisers, denying soldiers are mercenaries.  Opponents cite Congolese civil war as reason to bar Israeli support of Brazzaville regime.  Press reports say over 2,000 IDF veterans have served in Africa since 1960s.  (NYT 2/17)

FRC mbrs. Yusuf Sha`ban, Salim Mahyub confess to killing Jordanian diplomat Na'ib al-Ma'aytah in Beirut 1/29.  Bassam Atiya, also arrested, denies involvement.  (RL 2/16 in FBIS 2/17; MM 2/17)

Israeli court convicts 4 banks--Leumi, Hapoalim, Discount, and Mizrahi--and 9 bank executives in connection with 10/83 stock market crash precipitated by news of banks propping up own stocks.  Crash cost $7 b. in Israeli govt. payments to investors.  (CSM 2/17)

U.S. Pres. Clinton, Saudi amb. Prince Bandar announce Saudia Airlines will purchase 50 U.S.-made Boeing 747 and McDonnell-Douglas MD-11, MD-80, and MD-90 commercial aircraft worth $6 b.  Deal will be financed in part through U.S. Export-Import Bank loan guarantees.  (CSM, NYT, MM, WT 2/17)

Washington, opened 1/24, adjourns without reported progress. (Qol Yisra'el 2/3 in FBIS 2/3; MM 2/4)

Multilateral Working Group on Arms Control and Regional Security ends Cairo mtg. opened 1/30 after discussing Russian-U.S. working paper, IAEA proposals. (MENA 2/3 in FBIS 2/4)

IDF soldier in truck, firing at stone-throwers in Shatti camp, Gaza Strip, critically wounds 13-yr.-old Mahmud Abu Hajar. IDF spokesman admits soldier's action violates IDF rules of engagement. (MM 2/3; NYT, WP 2/4)

IDF undercover unit disguised as women and old men kills Fateh Hawks' leader Salim Muafi, 29, in surprise attack in Rafah, Gaza Strip. Hawks announce they will no longer obey PLO Chmn. Arafat's orders, escalate "armed struggle." IDF Chief of Staff Gen. Ehud Barak calls Muafi's killing a "great achievement." (WP 2/4)

IDF arrests 15 settlers attempting to establish new settlement nr. Maale Adumin, West Bank. (Qol Yisra'el 2/3 in FBIS 2/4)

Israeli Ag. Min. program comm. approves expansion of Moshav Ramot, Maale Gamla settlements in Golan Heights. (MM 2/4)

U.S. Agency for International Development releases $7 m. in aid to Palestinian Housing Council in East Jerusalem to fund 192 apartments in Jabaliya, Gaza Strip. Money is 1st installment of $500 m. pledged to support Israel-PLO DoP. (MM, WT 2/4)

Jordan reduces staff of Iranian embassy in Amman by 21 in move interpreted as Jordanian disapproval of Tehran's support for anti-DoP groups. (AFP 2/3 in FBIS 2/3; WP 2/4)

Zionist Organization of America, National Jewish Coalition circulate Time magazine columns by Dep. Secy. of State-designate Strobe Talbott criticizing Israeli policy in campaign to stop his nomination. Jewish Institute for National Security Affairs issues news release saying Talbott's views are reason he "should be disqualified" fr. post. Other Jewish groups, led by Conference of Presidents of Major Jewish Organizations, meet with Talbott and refuse to condemn him as anti-Israel. (MM, NYT 2/4)

"Seeds of Peace" organization presents awards to Israeli FM Peres, PLO UN Observer Muhammad Nasir al-Kidwa, and Egyptian UN amb. Nabil al-'Arabi. Group put together Israeli, Arab children for summer camp, was present at 9/13 DoP signing. (NYT 2/5)