The Palestine Chronology

197 Palestinian mbrs. of Hamas and Islamic Jihad return fr. Lebanon at end of 1-yr. exile. The Islamist activists will be processed through Israeli prisons before returning to homes in o.t. PM Rabin, touring Gaza settlement, promises "tough measures" if "we have even the slightest suspicion that [the returnees] intend or are involved" in attacks on Israelis. (NYT, WP, WT 12/16)

Israel-PLO talks on civil issues related to Gaza-Jericho self-rule resume in al-Arish, Sinai. (MM 12/15)

Working group of Middle East Multilateral Talks Economic Development Comm. ends mtg. in Cairo, approves 4 agricultural projects, pollution control project for Gulf of Aqaba, and joint tourism project for Egypt, Israel, and o.t. (MENA 12/15 in FBIS 12/16)

Ashraf Muhammad Halil, 18, killed by IDF when he attacks soldiers with ax during search of his tool bag in Jabaliya camp, Gaza. (WT 12/16)

PLO and Israeli negotiators in Cairo exchange proposals to bridge disagreements on implementing Gaza-Jericho withdrawal. (NYT 12/9)

Secy. of State Christopher meets Egyptian Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, says U.S. does not object to delay in Gaza-Jericho withdrawal if Israel and PLO feel they need "a few more days or whatever period of time to work out some existing problems." (CSM, NYT, WT 12/9)

Settler shot and wounded by Palestinian in Bethlehem. IDF imposes curfew, searches Palestinian homes, detains several suspects. IDF reportedly reinforces troops in o.t. and detains dozens of Palestinian opponents of DoP as preventative measure before anniversary of intifada. (CSM, NYT, WT 12/9)

Israeli kindergarten teacher killed, 3 settlers wounded by Palestinian gunmen in al-Birah. Hamas, DFLP claim responsibility for attack; IDF imposes curfew on al-Birah, Ramallah. Settlers block roads, stone Palestinian cars in retaliation. (MM 12/1; NYT, WP, WT 12/2)

IDF declares Gaza Strip a "closed military area," barring journalists fr. reporting there. (MM 12/1)

Emergency PLO Exec. Comm. mtg. in Tunis called to discuss negotiations with Israel fails to reach quorum due to boycott by Mahmud 'Abbas, Yasir 'Abd-Rabbuh, Sulaiman al-Najab. (MBC TV 12/2 in FBIS 12/3; WT 12/2)

Egyptian and Israeli sources say Egyptian Pres. Mubarak has lifted restrictions on Egyptians travelling to Israel, ending police reviews and questioning. (WP 12/2)

Jordan and Israel initial agreement allowing Jordanian banks in West Bank to reopen. (Qol Yisra'el 12/1 in FBIS 12/3; NYT 12/5)

IDF kills 1 Palestinian, wounds 80 in clashes in Gaza, worst violence since DoP signed 9/13. IDF cmdr. in Gaza Maj. Gen. Matan Vilnai meets 5 Fateh leaders to discuss cease-fire. Fateh sources say Vilnai agreed to end IDF searches for PLO militants, but IDF sources say only that Israel will reduce troop levels and ease some restrictions. Jacques Neriah, aide to PM Rabin, flies to Tunis for talks with PLO Chmn. Arafat. Arafat provides Neriah with i.d. tag of IDF soldier missing during 1982 war in Lebanon. (MM 11/30, 12/1; NYT, WP, WT 12/1)

Jordanian and Israeli officials meet in Washington for talks on economic cooperation. Working group also includes U.S., hosted by special coordinator Dennis Ross. (MM 11/30, 12/1)

VP Al Gore announces formation of "Builders for Peace," a task force to coordinate U.S. private investment in o.t. Group's co-presidents are James Zogby of Arab American Institute and frmr. U.S. Rep. Mel Levine. (WP 12/1)

U.S. and Russia introduce UNGA resolution drafted by Israel and PLO supporting DoP, Israel-Jordan common agenda. (MM 12/1)

U.S. Undersecy. of Defense Frank Wisner arrives in Jordan fr. Israel to discuss joint security cooperation. Tour also includes Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Gulf states. (MM 11/30)

CIA Director Adm. James Woolsey, appearing on CNN's "Larry King Live," acknowledges that "Israel is generally regarded as having some kind of nuclear capability" in 1st public U.S. recognition of Israeli nuclear weapons. (MM 12/1)

$7 m. wind turbine farm to supply electricity to Israel opened on Golan Heights. (MM 12/1)

PLO-Israel talks on transfer of authority over health, education, and other services open in al-Arish, Egypt. Israeli delegation headed by Brig. Gen. Gadi Zohar, head of Civil Administration in West Bank, PLO delegation by Jamal Tarifi. (MM 11/24)

PLO-Israel economic subcomms. on trade and labor, fiscal issues, and banking and finance begin sessions in Paris. (MM 11/24)

Hamas-PFLP-DFLP coalition opposed to DoP wins all 9 seats on Birzeit University student council, defeating Fateh-PPP slate favoring DoP. Result ends 16 yrs. of domination of student council by Fateh. (MM 11/24, 11/25; NYT 11/25)

Imad 'Aql, 21, alleged head of Hamas "'Izz al-Din Qassam Brigades" military wing, killed in shoot-out with IDF at Gaza City roadblock. PM Rabin calls action a "great achievement"; IDF Chief of Staff Barak terms it an "important achievement in the war against terror." Hamas, Fateh call 3-day general strike in protest. In al-Burayi camp, alleged drug trafficker Muhammad Ilian, 32, stabbed to death by masked Palestinians. (Qol Yisra'el 11/24 in FBIS 11/26; NYT, WP, WT 11/25)

Jordan's King Hussein pays official visit to Egypt, meeting Pres. Mubarak and ending 3 yrs' estrangement over Jordan's stance in 1990-91 Gulf crisis. (NYT, WP, WT 11/25)

Settlers demonstrate at Israel-Gaza Strip crossing points to protest 11/17 killing of IDF soldier Haim Darina, but IDF presents them fr. blocking roads. Islamic Jihad claims responsibility for the attack. (MM, RMC 11/18)

PLO establishes Development and Construction Bank under World Bank supervision to receive international funds for Palestinian development. (Al-Dustur 11/18 in FBIS 11/18)

Israeli Energy M. Moshe Shahal signs agreement with Egyptian Oil M. Hamdi al-Banbi on preparations for Egypt-Israel natural gas pipeline. (Qol Yisra'el 11/19 in FBIS 11/19)

King Hussein names 23 mbrs. of 40-mbr. Jordanian senate, including frmr. PM Zaid Rifa'i and Senate spkr. Ahmad Lawzi. (MM 11/19)

French FM Alain Juppe holds talks with Syrian Pres. al-Asad at start of tour of Syria, Jordan, and Lebanon, proceeds to Amman for talks with Jordan's King Hussein. (MM 11/19; SARR, JNA 11/18 in FBIS 11/18)

Israeli archaeologists in "Operation Scroll" report finding 2d century A.D. manuscripts and artifacts in Wadi Qarantal, nr. Jericho. (NYT 11/19)

Israel begins release of 660 Palestinian prisoners over 2 days under agreement reached with PLO in Taba, Egypt (see 10/21). (NYT, WP, WT 10/26)

Attempted car-bomb attack in o.t. injures 2 Israeli prison officials. 18-year-old Palestinian driver, suspected to be Hamas mbr., arrested. (WT 10/26)

U.S. Pres. Clinton and Egyptian Pres. Mubarak hold talks in Washington. At joint press conference, Mubarak offers to mediate between Israel and Syria. Both heads of state urge the 2 sides to resume talks, Clinton observing, "There can't be total peace in the Mideast unless there is some kind of peace with Syria." (NYT, WP 10/26)

American Jewish Congress delegation holds meeting in Amman with King Hussein, Crown Prince Hassan aimed at ending Arab boycott. Group had previously met Egyptian, PLO, and Saudi officials. (JTV 10/25 in FBIS 10/26)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets in Tunis with U.S. State Dept. official Dennis Ross, NSC official Martin Indyk, then flies to Cairo for meetings with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, American Jewish Congress trustees seeking end to Arab boycott of Israel. Ross proceeds to Amman for talks with Jordanian officials. (Radio Jordan 10/19 in FBIS 10/20; WP 10/21)

Syria, Saudi Arabia issue joint statement in Riyadh on peace process, saying "'just and comprehensive" settlement only achievable with Israel's "full withdrawal from all the occupied Arab territories," including Golan. (MM 10/10)

Israel frees Salim Husayn al-Zrai, 50, held in prison 23 years. Sentenced to life imprisonment in 1970 for infiltration attempt, Fateh activist released because of PLO adherence to its 9/13 commitment not to attack Israel. Release of this longest-held Palestinian prisoner of Israel interpreted as indicating future mass release of Palestinian prisoners. (CSM, NYT 10/20)

Israeli defense officials announce failure of 10/14 test of U.S.-funded Arrow missile. Another test in August also failed, and the GAO issued a report that month criticizing Israeli management of the program (see 10/23). (WT 10/20)

Likud Central Comm. meets in Tel Aviv to consider plans by Binyamin Netanyahu, Ariel Sharon, and Meir Shitreet on autonomy schemes alternative to DoP. (MM 10/19)

Nayif Hawatmah of DFLP, George Habash of PFLP meet in Tripoli with Libyan leader Mu'ammar al-Qadhafi. Libya and Iraq are only Arab states to explicitly oppose PLO-Israel agreement. (NYT 9/16, 9/17)

U.S. Pres. Clinton, in telephone conversation with Jordan's King Hussein, discloses U.S. will release $30 m. in aid to Amman frozen due to Jordan's position in 1990-91 Gulf crisis. Release is due to signing of Jordan-Israel common agenda. Clinton also calls Syrian Pres. al-Asad, urges him to rein in Damascus-based Palestinian factions opposed to PLO-Israel agreement. (NYT 9/16; CSM, NYT 9/17; NYT 9/18)

U.S. joins with Russia, Egypt, and Israel to eliminate, revise, or defer 32 UNGA resolutions critical of Israel. Resolutions to be changed or discarded include those establishing Comm. on Inalienable Rights of the Palestinian People, criticizing Israeli human rights practices, examining Israeli-South African relations, and calling on Israel to renounce nuclear weapons. (NYT 9/16)

GCC states vote to support PLO-Israel agreement, calling it 1st step toward "just, lasting and comprehensive peace." (MM 9/6; WP 9/6, 9/9; NYT 9/7)

U.S. Pres. Clinton sends letters to leaders of Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Syria, Tunisia, and Yemen urging Arab support for DoP. (NYT 9/6)

Egyptian Muslim Brotherhood calls DoP "humiliating," warns it could spark a "Palestinian civil war." (MM 9/6)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets Syrian Pres. al-Asad in Damascus to explain the "contents of the agreement and the circumstances that surrounded it," according to al-Asad's spokesman. DFLP's Hawatmah, PFLP's Habash refuse to meet Arafat, Habash calling DoP a "sellout," (MM, WP 9/6; WP, WT 9/7)

Oslo talks btwn. PLO, Israel on mutual recognition adjourn. (NYT, WP 9/2)

Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz arrives in Damascus for talks with Pres. al-Asad, FM al-Shara' concerning DoP. (MM 9/1)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa holds talks with Israeli officials in Jerusalem on text of Israel-PLO mutual recognition, forwards draft to PLO in Tunis. (MM 9/2)

PLO Chmn. Arafat flies to Rabat for consultations with Moroccan King Hassan on follow-up to Israel-PLO agreement. (MM 9/2; NYT 9/3)

PFLP head Habash tells French TV Arafat no longer represents Palestinians, vows PFLP will fight DoP "with all its might" because it ignores rights of diaspora Palestinians. DFLP chief Hawatmah, on RMC, calls DoP "sad, tragic," says it will allow Israel to "liquidate the intifada." (MM 9/2)

Pro-DoP rally at al-Najah University attended by 4,000, addressed by Arafat by telephone. Faisal Husseini meets in Jerusalem with opposition figures, who maintain anti-DoP position, while 15 injured in Gaza Strip when Hamas mbrs. stone pro-DoP rally. (MM 9/2)

Palestinian o.t. figures issue statement denouncing DoP, Arafat's leadership. (al-Ra'y 9/1 in FBIS 9/2)

King Hussein tells Ghassan Tueni of al-Nahar that "We in Jordan do not accept the imposition on us of any agreement to which we are not a party" in remarks excerpted on JTV. Hussein demands Arab summit to discuss consequences of PLO-Israel accord. (MM 9/2; NYT, WP 9/3)

Israeli Police Min. Moshe Shahal says Palestinian police to be set up under Oslo agreement "will not have authority to halt Israelis." (MM 9/2)

Israeli cabinet votes to approve "Gaza-Jericho lst" agreement with PLO. Int. Min. Arye Deri, Econ. Min. Shimon Shitreet abstain. 4,000 right-wing protesters demonstrate against accord outside PM's office. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/31; Qol Yisra'el 8/30 in FBIS 8/31)

Dahaf poll shows 53% of Israeli Jews support accord with PLO. (Yediot Aharanot 8/30 in FBIS 8/31)

Norwegian FM Johan Jorgen Holst says Norway hosted 14 rounds of talks btwn. Israel and PLO leading to agreement. (MM 8/31; NYT 9/1)

MK Hanan Porat of National Religious Party, supported by Likud MKs, occupies synagogue in Jericho, declares he is opening settlement. (MM 8/31)

PLO Chmn. Arafat denies Jordan and Syria displeased with PLO-Israel accord; flies to Yemen, then Egypt to rally Arab support for PLO-Israel agreement. (Yemeni Republic Radio, MENA 8/30 in FBIS 8/31; MM, WP 8/31)

PFLP-GC chief Ahmad Jibril threatens in statemento kill Arafat, says Arafat will "pay the price" for Gaza-Jericho accord, warns agreement would "trigger a civil war in Palestine" and "liquidate the intifada." Spokesman for Jibril later argues statement not a threat but a prediction. (AFP 8/30 in FBIS 8/30, 8/31; MM, NYT 8/31)

PFLP-GC, PNSF issue statements denouncing Gaza-Jericho plan, PLO leadership. (QPAR 8/30 in FBIS 8/31)

PLO Exec. Comm. rejects resignations of negotiators Faisal Husseini, Hanan Ashrawi, and Sa'eb Erakat, appoints them and 4 other mbrs. of delegation to official PLO steering committee. (NYT, WP, WT 8/13)

U.S. and Russia issue invitations for 11th round of Arab-Israeli peace talks, to be held in Washington at end of August. (NYT, WP, WT 8/13)

Egyptian FM 'Amr Musa, at press conference, claims there has been unfair criticism by Palestinians of Egyptian "interference" with Palestinian response to U.S. document, warns if it continues Egypt will reveal details of Palestinian dealings with Israel. PLO delivers message to Musa saying "Egypt did not exert any kind of pressure on the Palestinian leadership." Meanwhile, al-Sharq alAwsat publishes purported excerpts from Palestinian delegation's meeting before going to Tunis for consultations with PLO. "Excerpts" claim delegation protested PLO leadership's decision-making monopoly and "interference in everything," Egyptian "tutelage over the PLO leadership." Delegation spokeswoman Hanan Ashrawi denies reports, saying "We have never criticized the Egyptian position." (MM 8/12; Cairo Voice of the Arabs 8/15 in FBIS 8/16)

Syrian Pres. al-Asad, in interview with al-Safir, says "there was no deal" to end "Operation Accountability." He maintains there was "no sellout of the [Lebanese] resistance," and asserts the necessity "to preserve the resistance and to protect it." (MM 8/12)

Pres. Clinton, in meeting with Pope John Paul II in Denver, CO, expresses his "commitment and his support for full diplomatic relations" between the Vatican and Israel, according to U.S. amb. to Vatican Raymond W. Flynn. (WP 8/13)

Israeli settlers wind up 5 days of demonstrations against Rabin govt. with rally in Tel Aviv attended by "several thousand." Settlers' slogans include "Giving up the territories means katyushas on Tel Aviv," and "We won't move from the Golan." (JP 8/21)

Sixth day of Israeli attack on Lebanon. Lebanese police report 17 killed, 47 wounded in day's fighting. UN sources report IDF fired 1,300 shells in 9 hours. Hizballah responds with katyusha barrages, attacks on IDF/SLA positions in "security zone." Kuwait, France, and Egypt send relief supplies to Beirut, as Arab FMs discuss situation in Damascus. Israeli FM Peres states Israel will not expand "security zone" or send ground forces to Lebanon. Ireland demands immediate cease-fire out of concern for Irish battalion of UNIFIL. (NYT, WT 7/31)

PLO Exec. Comm. meets in Tunis to discuss delegation meetings with U.S. officials in Washington. (Tunisian Republic Radio 6/13 in FBIS 6/14)

Al-Shuruq reports that PNC speaker Shaykh 'Abd al-Hamid al-Sa'ih has withdrawn his resignation. (MENA 6/13 in FBIS 6/14)

Damascus Declaration FMs, meeting in Abu Dhabi, reiterate support for peace process and urge U.S. to act as full partner. (UAE Radio 6/13 in FBIS 6/14)

Egypt hangs lawyer convicted 5/92 of spying for Israel, 1st execution for espionage in many years. (al-Ahram 6/14 in MM 6/14)

Pres. Mubarak meets with PM Rabin in Ismayliyya, Egypt. In news conf., Rabin says Palestinians have already decided to resume talks, conflict will ultimately be settled through land for peace. (MM 4/14; ARER, MENA 4/14 in FBIS 4/15; NYT, WT 4/15)

Head of Palestinian negotiating team Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi leads Palestinian delegation in meetings with State Dept. officials in Washington. (RJN 4/15 in FBIS 4/15; WP 4/17)

Jerusalem Post reports concessions worked out between Israel and U.S., to be announced if Palestinians agree to resume talks: (1) over 101 12/17/92 deportees returned immediately; (2) up to 100 (of 1,200) post-1967 deportees allowed to return; (3) Israeli statement against deportations except in "extraordinary" cases; (4) Faisal Husseini to head Palestinian delegation; (5) liberalize o.t. financial/building restrictions (see 2/24, 3/3, 3/26). (MM 4/14)

IDF opens fire in crowded Nablus market, wounding 4. Target was 3 masked men reading statement on 5th anniv. of Israeli assassination of Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad). (IDF Radio 4/14 in FBIS 4/15; WT 4/15)

Fateh gunmen assassinate FRC official and 6-month-old son in Sidon, Lebanon. (RMC, VOL 4/15 in FBIS 4/15)

PM Rabin receives, accepts invitation to meet with Pres. Mubarak "anytime" -- the two will probably meet in Egypt before the scheduled 4/20 resumption of talks. (IDF Radio, Qol Yisra'el 4/5 in FBIS 4/5)

Israel cabinet sets up special comm. to suggest ways to "radically" reduce the number of Palestinians working in Israel. Env. Min. Yossi Sarid says Israel should increase investment ino.t. and pay unemployment benefits to o.t. workers. Tourism Min. Uzi Baram says Israelis realize that political solution is needed to separate Israel from the o.t. (Qol Yisra'el 4/4 in FBIS 4/5)

FMs of Egypt, Syria, Lebanon, Jordan, and the PLO end 2-day meeting in Damascus, delay decision on resuming talks with Israel 4/20 in their final statement. (Radio Lebanon 3/29 in FBIS 3/30; NYT, WP 3/30)

Hanan Ashrawi says Palestinians rejected 3/26 U.S. offers, adds that such assurances are basic rights, "not issues for blackmail, negotiations, or pressure." (MM 3/30)

PLO amb. in Cairo Said Kamal says Pres. Asad and Chmn. Arafat have entrusted Pres. Mubarak to negotiate a solution to the deportees and raise new peace talks ideas during his 4/6 talks with Pres. Clinton in Washington. (MM 3/29)

Jordanian PM Sharif Bin-Shakir tells MPs that his govt. does not accept Israeli-Jordanian draft agenda negotiated by the respective delegations and publicized 10/27/92. It is missing some key points, particularly on Jerusalem. (MM 3/30)

IDF shoots 1 Palestinian dead in Jalazun camp, West Bank. Palestinian worker kills settler near Khan Yunis. Settlers burn down mosque in Gaza Strip. (IDF Radio 3/29 in FBIS 3/30; Qol Yisra'el 3/30 in FBIS 3/31; WP 3/30)

Egypt, PLO request UNSC meeting to consider "the serious situation in the o.t." (Qol Yisra'el 3/23 in FBIS 3/23; MM 3/23)

Israel expands police force from 18,000 to over 20,000, tightens security at o.t. checkpoints. (NYT 3/22; MM 3/23)

Pres. Mubarak concludes 2-day visit to Saudi Arabia. (SPA 3/21 in FB1S 3/22)

Fateh Hawks fire on IDF in Khan Yunis. IDF shoots 2 dead, wound 15 Palestinians in Gaza Strip. (MM. WT 3/22)

Rep. David Obey (R-WI), chmn. of House appropriations subcomm., suggests that Israel and Egypt may "one day" see their aid cut, as Pres. Clinton seeks to cut foreign aid by $2b over 5 years while increasing aid to Russia next year by $300m. Clinton has pledged to maintain current levels. (WT 3/9)

Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin protests to British amb. in Israel over UK decision to upgrade PLO contacts. (IDF Radio 3/8 in FBIS 3/8)

Haydar'Abd al-Shafi calls on Hamas and Islamic Jihad to behave "in a responsible way" after 3/7 clash inside Gaza mosque. (al-Fajr 3/9 in FBIS 3/9)

Jerusalem Post reports on quota for Arab pop. of Jerusalem set by govt. in 1973, consistently enforced through housing plans-in 1967, Arab pop. was 26% of total, today is 27%. City council may appeal the legality of the discriminatory quota to the High Court. (MM 3/8)

Elections at Hebron U. are postponed because of Ramadan and IDF's impeding access to campus (acc. to PLO supporters), or because PLO was afraid of defeat and wants more of its supporters inthe admin. (acc. to Islamists). PLO-Islamist fights ensue. Islamists have consistently won past elections. (MM 3/9)

Israel reopens Gaza checkpoints to Palestinian workers; 30,000 travel to jobs (see 3/2). Two Palestinians kill settler as he was driving them to work; Fateh Eagles claim responsibility. Settlers angrily protest, killing 1 Palestinian. (Qol Yisra'el 3/8 in FBIS 3/8; MM 3/8; WP 3/9)

IDF shoots Palestinian youth dead near Tulkarm. (ITV 3/8 in FBIS 3/9)

PLO official Khalid Muhammad al-Jassem is convicted of attempting to bomb three Israeli targets in New York City in 1973. (NYT 3/9)

Egyptian pol. advisor 'Usama al-Baz meets with PM Rabin, delivers message from Pres. Mubarak with proposal for Mubarak-Rabin summit. Message also reiterates Egyptian plan for deportees acceptable to Chmn. Arafat. (MENA, Qol Yisra'el 2/28, HaAretz 3/1 in FBIS 3/1)

Palestinian economist Ibrahim Matar says CIVAD budget publicized 2/27 should be 3 times bigger, and ignores many taxes o.t. Palestinians pay to the Israeli treasury. (MM 3/1)

PM Rabin tells Conf. of Presidents of Major American Jewish Orgs. that Israel will "try [its] best" not to give up the entire Golan Heights. (MM 3/1)

Israel arrests 4th Palestinian-American on charges of aiding Islamic groups. (Yedi'ot Aharonot 3/7 in FBIS 3/8; NYT, WT 3/8)

Israel successfully tests Arrow anti-missile system, 80% of which is financed by the U.S. (MM 3/1)

Secy. of State Christopher meets with Pres. Mubarak, FM 'Amr Musa in Cairo. Mubarak accepts Christopher's invitation to meet with Pres. Clinton in April. Christopher appeals to Israel to speed up the review process for deportees' individual cases. (NYT, WT 2/19, 2/20; MENA 2/19 in FBIS 2/19)

Chmn. Arafat meets with Pres. Hussein in Baghdad, delivers message from Pres. Mubarak. Egypt and the PLO are leading the effort tobring Iraq back into the "Arab fold." (Jordan Times 2/18-19)

IDF shoots Palestinian youth dead near Tulkarm. (MM 2/19)

Acting Secy. of State Eagleburger warns that there will be "more pressure in the Security Council for some kind of Chapter 7 enforcement" of UNSCR 799, which "puts the Israelis and us and a lot of other people in an awkward spot," and that Israel is "going to have to find some solution to the problem, whether it's to take them back and put them in jail or whatever itis." (MM 1/15)

Palestinian, Jordanian, and Lebanese presses level harsh criticism on the U.S. and the West for their 1/13 attack on Iraq, Gulf states are notably cool or silent, Syria and Egypt try to strike medium in their criticisms of both Iraq and the West. Fateh issues statement condemning the attack on Iraq, as well as a 28th anniversary statement. (MM 1/14; Algiers, Sanaa VOP 1/14 in FBIS 1/15)

IDF kills 2 Palestinians, wounds 45 in clashes in Gaza Strip. Border Police surround, fire anti-tank missiles at house near Jenin, kill 1 suspected Black Panther activist as he tries to escape. (MM, WT 1/15; Qol Yisra'el 1/14 in FBIS 1/15)

Chemical weapons agreement signed in Paris. Russia, the U.S., Israel, and Iran are among the 120 signatories; despite Arab League's 1/11 unanimous boycott, Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Mauritania, Libya, Kuwait, Yemen, and Oman also sign. Negotiated since 1968, the treaty banning production, stockpiling, and use of such weapons, as well as mandating their destruction with a complex verification regime, will go into effect after a minimum ratification period of 2 years. (NYT, WP 1/14)