Labor, Meretz parties file lawsuits with the Israeli High Court appealing the atty. gen. decision not to indict PM Netanyahu, Justice M Hanegbi. Hearings will be held in 5/97. (MM 4/21; WP 4/22;...
On ABC television, Israeli Housing Min. Ariel Sharon defends construction of o.t. settlements, saying West Bank has to be settled to provide military "strategic depth." On same program, Nat. Sec....
On 2d day of meetings in Cairo, Pres. Mubarak and Pres. Asad say they are opposed to the splintering of Iraq, and call for intermational peace conference, after adequate preparations. On matter of...
Sec. Baker receives letter from Israeli F.M. Levy seen as retracting commitment made on 10/2 that Israel would not settle Soviet Jews in E. Jerusalem [HAA 10/18 in FBIS 10/18; NYT, LAT, WP 10/19...
Other Countries: Israeli D.M. Rabin meets with Defense Secretary Cheney, Sec. of State Baker, and national security advisor Scowcroft in Washington to discuss...
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Labor, Meretz parties file lawsuits with the Israeli High Court appealing the atty. gen. decision not to indict PM Netanyahu, Justice M Hanegbi. Hearings will be held in 5/97. (MM 4/21; WP 4/22; MM 4/23) (see 4/19)
Israel seals the West Bank, Gaza, barring Palestinians fr. entering Israel during the 8-day Passover holiday. (WT 4/22; CSM 4/25)
In a prerelease of a joint paper for Foreign Affairs, fmr. National Security Advisers Zbigniew Brzezinski, Brent Scowcroft conclude that U.S. dual containment policy "lacks strategic viability and carries a high financial and diplomatic cost," sanctions have been ineffectual; suggest the U.S. offer Iran, Iraq incentives to alter their behavior instead of just punishing them. (MM 4/21)
Following Germany's 4/10 ruling, U.S. announces decision to encourage its EU allies to impose sanctions on Iran; sends mission to France, Germany, Holland, UK. (NYT, WT 4/22; CSM 4/25)
Iraq again defies the southern U.S. no-fly zone by sending 9 helicopters to fly home pilgrims returning from Mecca. U.S. says it will tolerate the flights. (MM, WT 4/22; NYT, WP 4/23; MEI 5/2) (see 4/9)
On ABC television, Israeli Housing Min. Ariel Sharon defends construction of o.t. settlements, saying West Bank has to be settled to provide military "strategic depth." On same program, Nat. Sec. Advisor Brent Scowcroft disagrees, saying "land for peace" is only real solution that will provide Israel any strategic security (cf. 4/15) [WP, MEM 4/15].
Two Arabs, allegedly from Abu Nidal's faction, are killed by IDF gunfire in "security zone" in southern Lebanon [IDF 4/14 in FBIS 4/15; RFL, BVL 4/15 in FBIS 4/17].
More than 200 Palestinians demonstrate in Rafah camp, marking 3d anniversary of assassination of Abu Jihad [AFP 4/15 in FBIS 4/16; FJ 4/22].
Palestinian is shot dead after allegedly trying to run down IDF soldier with his car [MEM 4/15; JDS 4/14 in FBIS 4/16; FJ 4/22].
Despite opposition from U.S., Israeli F.M. Levy urges gov't. to push quietly ahead with settlements in o.t.: "Our right [to settlements] cannot be challenged. There is one difference-don't upset the whole world" [MEM 4/15].
Findings of poll conducted by Jaffee Center for Strategic Studies in Tel Aviv are released: 90% of Israeli public favors use of nuclear weapons under certain circumstances; 49% believes Arabs final goal is to destroy Israel and kill Jews [MEM 4/15].
On 2d day of meetings in Cairo, Pres. Mubarak and Pres. Asad say they are opposed to the splintering of Iraq, and call for intermational peace conference, after adequate preparations. On matter of Kurdish rebellion, Pres. Asad says it is "an intemal matter" [MENA 4/1 in FBIS 4/1; SANA 4/1 in FBIS 4/2; NYT, MEM 4/2].
Human rights groups working in Kuwait have turned up no proof to date that thousands of Kuwaitis were executed by Iraqis; Middle East Watch says that number is from 300 to 600. Also refuted is claim that Iraqi troops killed hundreds of premature babies by stealing incubators [WP 4/2].
Inquest by Jerusalem judge into Haram al-Sharif killings last October 8 turns up evidence that contradicts official Israeli gov't. version of events. Border officer testifies he saw other officers "shoot from the hip," in violation of regulations; another officer claims police fired on Palestinians who had sat down and begun to pray [WP, LAT 4/2].
U.S. officials disclose that Nat. Sec. Advisor Brent Scowcroft and senior White House aide Richard Haass made secret trip from 3/25 to 3/27 to Saudi Arabia for talks with King Fahd [WP, MEM 4/2].
Six Kuwaiti opposition groups, 96 leaders in all, sign manifesto demanding democracy [LAT, MEM 4/2].
Lt. Gen. Ehud Baraq assumes position of Israeli chief of staff, replacing Lt. Gen. Dan Shomron [JDS 4/1 in FBIS 4/1; CSM 4/2; FJ 4/8; JPI 4/13].
UNLU issues call no. 69, praising Iraqi "steadfastness" in face of coalition, criticizes attempts to find alternative Palestinian leadership [AVP 4/1 in FBIS 4/2; MEM 4/2].
U.S. State Dep't. criticizes Israel's 3/31 restrictions on Palestinians in o.t., stating what is needed is "dialogue and trust ... not imposing new restrictions" [MEM 4/2].
About 20 mobile homes are set up in West Bank settlement of Kiryat Arba to help meet growing housing needs of Soviet Jewish immigrants, around 400 of whom have moved to this settlement over the past year [MEM 4/3].
Israeli human rights group B'Tselem reports Israeli security forces killed 8 Palestinians during March; 5 in West Bank and 3 in Gaza Strip; 1 Israeli civilian was killed in o.t. during the month [FJ 4/8].
In defiance of Lebanese gov't. ban on private militias, PLO says it will not lay down its arms and that its fighters in southern Lebanon will continue to strike at Israel [NYT 4/2; RFL 4/1 in FBIS 4/2].
Sec. Baker receives letter from Israeli F.M. Levy seen as retracting commitment made on 10/2 that Israel would not settle Soviet Jews in E. Jerusalem [HAA 10/18 in FBIS 10/18; NYT, LAT, WP 10/19].
Israeli troops wound at least 55 Palestinians who stoned soldiers raising an Israeli flag in the middle of Rafa refugee camp [NYT 10/19].
Soviet envoy Primakov meets in Washington with Sec. Baker and NSC's Brent Scowcroft to discuss Gulf crisis [NYT, WP 10/19].
In 1st unanimous decision since 8/2, Arab League emergency summit adopts resolution deploring WVashington's pro-Israel bias and urging UN Sec. Council to apply its law impartially to all disputes. Resolution is compromise after earlier PLO-sponsored draft is defeated 11-10 prompting protest walkout [MEM 10/18, 10/19; NYT, WP 10/19; SVP 10/20 in FBIS 10/23].
Israel notifies UN it would be willing to give Sec.-Gen. Perez de Cuellar a copy of the findings of Israel's own inquiry into Haram al-Sharif shootings in lieu of accepting UN investigating team (cf. 10/19) [MEM 10/19; NYT 10/20.
Military and hospital officials in Beirut report at least 750 people were killed in the Syrian-led offensive that toppled Gen. Michel Aoun on 10/13. Death toll from the 8-hour battle makes it the worst single battle in history of Lebanese civil war [NYT 10/19].
Pres. Bush meets with Emir of Kuwait in Washington; Emir reports Iraq is pillaging and repopulating Kuwait [NYT, LAT, WP 9/29].
NSC Chrmn. Brent Scowcroft says "systematic destruction" of Kuwait under Iraqi occupation shortens time U.S. can wait for economic sanctions to drive Iraq from Kuwait and that what happens inside Kuwait "affects that timetable" for U.S. decision on options [NYT 9/29].
Sec. Baker, concluding 4 days of high-level diplomacy, says a growing number of countries is ready to consider the use of force against Iraq if peaceful means prove inadequate [LAT 9/29].
Gulf Cooperation Council foreign ministers meet in New York with Sec. Baker during UN Gen. Assembly [RIDS 9/29 in FBIS 10/1; MET 10/9].
UNLU statement distributed in O.T. urges Palestinians to "respond to the oppressive Israeli measures" imposed on Bureij refugee camp in wake of 9/20 killing there [AFP 9/28 in FBIS 10/1].
Bahrain and USSR announce establishment of diplomatic relations [WAKH 9/28 in FBIS 10/1].
Jordanian Crown Prince Hasan meets in Washington with Vice Pres. Quayle to discuss Gulf; then confers with Sec. Baker and Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze at UN [ADS 9/29 in FBIS 10/1].
Social/Economic/Political
Other Countries: Israeli D.M. Rabin meets with Defense Secretary Cheney, Sec. of State Baker, and national security advisor Scowcroft in Washington to discuss Lebanon, Middle East peace process [NYT 9/9]. Rabin and Cheney sign agreement allowing U.S. to "lend" Israel military equipment. Agreement is kept secret so as not to anger Arab nations [WP 9/27; NYT 9/29]. Cheney informs Rabin that U.S. is planning to sell to Saudia Arabia 315 MI-Al tanks, asks Israel not to use its influence in Congress to stop the sale [NYT 9/29].
Military Action
Occupied Palestine/Israel: 13-year-old Palestinian is shot, killed by Israeli soldiers during demonstration; bodies of 3 Arabs suspected of collaboration are found; at least 14 other Palestinians wounded in clashes throughouthe O.T. [LAT 9/9; MET 9/19]. Palestinian faction claims responsibility for firing missiles from Jordan into Israel on 9/7 [LAT 9/9].
