U.S. stages 2d strike on Iraq, having hit more than 50 targets with over 200 Tomahawk missiles 12/16. Democratic congressmen accuse Republicans, many of whom questioned the timing of the attacks,...
After wks. of debate, PM Netanyahu, senior advisers make final decision not to hold a national referendum on the FRD issue, despite polls that found that 62% of the public support such a vote....
In Cairo, Syria's Pres. Asad briefs Pres. Mubarak on results of 4/13 Syrian-Lebanese summit in Latakia, discusses holding mini-Arab summit. (ESC Television [Cairo], MENA, RMC, SANA,...
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U.S. stages 2d strike on Iraq, having hit more than 50 targets with over 200 Tomahawk missiles 12/16. Democratic congressmen accuse Republicans, many of whom questioned the timing of the attacks, of being unpatriotic. Russia recalls its ambs. fr. Washington (for the 1st time since World War II), London; the Duma accuses the U.S. of "international terrorism." Lebanon denounces the operation. Jordan expresses regret. Syria opposes U.S. "double standards" in its Iraq, Israel policy. (MM 12/17; AFP, IRNA, MENA, Petra-JNA, RJ 12/17 in WNC 12/21; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 12/18; al-Thawra, Tishrin 12/18 in WNC 12/28; NYT, WP, WT 12/19; MENA 12/19, SATN 12/20, al-Ahram 12/21 in WNC 12/22; MEI 12/25)
Across the West Bank and in Gaza City, Palestinians protest the U.S.-led attack on Iraq. The largest demonstration, attended by 3,000 Palestinians, is held in Nablus. In el-Bireh, the IDF shoots, kills 1 Palestinian, injures 16 others. (WP, WT 12/18; MEI 12/25)
In Egypt, the government expresses its "regret" over the U.S.-led strike on Iraq; the Arab League, al-Azhar's chief cleric denounce use of military force; Cairo University students go on hunger strike to protest; Egyptian police lock American University in Cairo students on campus to keep them fr. demonstrating. (MENA, RE 12/17 in WNC 12/21)
Arafat visits Qatar, Bahrain; secures backing for Arab summit to be held "as soon as possible." (MEI 7/3)
Outgoing IDF Chief of Staff Maj. Gen. Matan Vilnai says that the current Israeli defense doctrine is obsolete, incapable of meeting contemporary threats. (MM 6/29; IDF Radio 6/29 in WNC 6/30; GIU 6/30; MM 7/3)
In Abu Dhabi, Iran, Oman hold talks on expanding bilateral relations. (IRNA 6/28 in WNC 6/30)
After wks. of debate, PM Netanyahu, senior advisers make final decision not to hold a national referendum on the FRD issue, despite polls that found that 62% of the public support such a vote. Netanyahu says that he will decide on holding a referendum only after an FRD agmt. has been reached. (CSM 6/25; ITV 6/25 in WNC 6/29; MM 6/26; ITV 6/28 in WNC 6/30; NYT 6/30)
In Cairo, the Arab League holds an emergency session to discuss Israel's plan for to expand Jerusalem's municipal boundaries, urges EU intervention. (RE 6/15 in WNC 6/16
In Amman, Iran, Jordan discuss expanding bilateral relations. (IRNA 6/25 in WNC 6/26)
Israel airlifts last 60 (of 3,900) Ethiopians of Jewish descent fr. Addis Ababa to Tel Aviv. (WP 6/26)
After 10 mos. of negotiations, Hizballah turns over body of IDF soldier killed in a raid on s. Lebanon 9/5/97. In exchange, Israel returns to Lebanon the bodies of 40 Amal, Hizballah mbrs. (including body of Hizballah leader Shaykh Hassan Nasrallah's son Hadi). (MM, WT 6/25; AFP, RL, RMC 6/25 in WNC 6/26; MM, NYT, WP, WT 6/26; al-Watan al-Arabi 6/26 in WNC 6/29; AFP 6/26 in WNC 6/29; WJW 7/2; MEI 7/3; JP 7/4)
In s. Lebanon, Hizballah detonates a roadside bomb, killing 2 IDF soldiers, wounding 4. (MM 6/25; AFP, VOL 6/25 in WNC 6/26; NYT, WP 6/26)
In Cairo, Pres. Mubarak, Saudi FM Prince Saud al-Faysal discuss peace process, possible Arab summit. (MENA 6/10 in WNC 6/11; MENA 6/12 in WNC 6/15)
In Gaza, Arafat, Jordanian PM Majali discuss peace process, possible Arab summit. Majali hands Arafat a letter fr. King Hussein, outlining Netanyahu's position on FRD as transmitted to the king via Israeli DM Mordechai on 6/7. (JTV 6/10 in WNC 6/12; Shihan 6/27 in WNC 6/30; al-Dustur 7/1 in WNC 7/2)
Syrian FM Shara` meets with PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. and Arafat adviser on refugee affairs As`ad `Abd al-Rahman to reopen discussion on refugee issues. (RMC 6/12 in WNC 6/15)
During their 2d day of talks, Iran, Turkey sign memorandum of understanding on setting up a joint chamber of commerce, beginning engineering and technical cooperation on natural gas. (IRIB Television 6/10, MENA 6/11 in WNC 6/12; IRNA 6/11, 6/13 in WNC 6/17)
In Hebron district, IDF bulldozes 70 dunams of Palestinians orchards, saying it has warned Palestinians not to farm "state land." Trees on the land were 5+n10 yrs. old. (Christian Peacemaker Teams press release 7/14)
In East Jerusalem, Israeli peace activists protesting settlement activity clash with Israeli police. (CSM 6/11)
Some 50 Christian human rights activists stage sit-in to protest settler's occupation of Silwan homes 5/8. (WT 6/11)
In Cairo, Syria's Pres. Asad briefs Pres. Mubarak on results of 4/13 Syrian-Lebanese summit in Latakia, discusses holding mini-Arab summit. (ESC Television [Cairo], MENA, RMC, SANA, SATN 4/15 in WNC 4/16; MENA 4/15 in WNC 4/17; MM 4/16; al-Thawra, Tishrin 4/16 in WNC 4/21)
King Hussein sends letter to PM Majali, asking him to prevent media criticism of Arafat, the PA, the peace process; to draft new press law that will "safeguard the interests of the kingdom." (JTV 4/15 in WNC 4/16; al-Ra'i 4/21 in WNC 4/28) (see 1/26)
In Amman, Jordan, Iran discuss expanding cultural, religious relations. (IRNA 4/16 in WNC 4/17)
Israel releases administrative detainees Ahmad Qattamesh (held 5 yrs., 8 mos.), Hassan Fatafteh (held 4 yrs.). Both men are Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine activists. (MM 4/16; PR 4/17; JP 4/25)
Jordan releases opposition leader Shubailat, arrested 2/20 during Ma'an riots. (JT 4/15 in WNC 4/16; MEI 4/24)
