The Palestine Chronology

Syrian FM Shara` meets with Lebanese Pres. Hrawi in Beirut. (WT 2/14)

In Amman, King Hussein, PM Kabariti receives Congressional delegation, incl. Senators Claiborne Pell (D-RI), Charles Robb (D-VA), James Inhofe (R-OK). (RJ 2/8 in FBIS 2/9; RJ 2/8 in FBIS 2/12)

Israeli Agriculture, Internal Security Mins. order official inquiry into kibbutz debts to banks after initial study suggests such debts total $4.8 b., much higher than expected. The sum is considered problematic but not destabilizing since the debts were already considered bad debts by the banking sector and factored accordingly. (JP 2/8 in FBIS 2/9)

Hizballah and Amal commands hold unity and coordination meeting in s. Lebanon. (RL 2/8 in FBIS 2/8)

Iraqi gov't says only state-run Iraqi Airways planes may land in Iraq; reaffirms that those people allowed to leave may do so only on these planes [LAT, WP 9/4; MET 9/11].

Iraq refuses landing rights to British, Swiss, and French charter flights that were to have brought women, children out of Iraq and Kuwait [LAT 9/1, 9/2; NYT 9/4].

Iraqi F.M. Aziz urges nations with many citizens in Iraq and Kuwait to supply food to Iraq, saying it could not be responsible for what happened to them as a result of shortages [LAT 9/4].

Chedli Klibi, longtime Sec.-Gen. of Arab League, abruptly resigns, giving no reason, but it was widely reported he was upbraided by Saudi and Syrian officials for not putting sufficient pressure on Iraq to withdraw from Kuwait [AFP 9/3 in FBIS 9/4; WT, MEM 9/4; NYT 9/5; CSM 9/6; MET 9/11].

U.S. official reports American combat aircraft have been deployed in Oman, Qatar, UAE, and Bahrain for first time [NYT, MEM 9/4].

Pres. Mubarak meets with U.S. delegation including 15 senators led by Claiborne Pell (D-RI) and 22 representatives headed by Richard Gephardt (D-MO) [MENA 9/3 in FBIS 9/5].

As part of Gulf tour, British foreign sec. Douglas Hurd arrives in Jeddah for 2-day working visit, meets with Saudi officials, including King Fahd [SPA 9/3 in FBIS 9/6].

In speech marking 1,000th day of intifada, Arafat says Palestinians can only take sides against "Zionism and its imperialist allies," confirms the PLO Gulf peace initiative calling for "withdrawal of occupation forces from Kuwait, Iraq, Iran, Palestine, Lebanon, and the Golan," and that occupation forces should be replaced by UN [MEM 9/3].

Over 10,000 people gather at rally in Amman to celebrate 1,000th day of intifada and show support of Iraq [MEM 9/4]; in W. Bank, stores usually closed remain open in celebration [WT 9/5; LAT 9/6; FJ 9/10].

Sec. of Economic Development Group in E. Jerusalem says lack of funds coming from Gulf states and lost jobs of Palestinians could harm "tens of thousands of families" in O.T.; adds drying up of funds could hurt "the future of a Palestinian state" [LAT 9/4]; other officials agree [CSM 9/6].

Jerusalem Post reports 18,800 immigrants arrived in Israel in August, including 17,500 from USSR-more than in any one month since 1951 [MEM 9/3].

Israel's gov't-run television and radio ban the use of Arabic names for Palestinian villages and towns, ordering journalists and broadcasters to use the biblical Hebrew names [NYT 9/5; FJ 9/10].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Estimated 200 Umm al-Fahm secondary school students call on Israeli authorities to ease municipal financial crisis [FJ 1/30]. Demonstrators in Khan Yunis protest decision to expel Muhammad Dahlan [FJ 1/30].

Arab World: Organization for Oppressed on Earth claims responsibility for 1/24 seizure of 4 university professors in Beirut [NYT 1/26].

Other Countries: U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell urges military response if American hostages in Beirut are killed and there is "clear evidence" of responsibility [WP 1/26]. In article detailing his account of the Iran arms deal, Michael Ledeen, former consultant to National Security Council, asserts "original push" came from Iran, not U.S. or Israel [WP 1/25].