The Palestine Chronology

At the Shepherdstown talks, Syria complains that Israel has refused to convene the technical comms. on withdrawal or water, agreeing to discuss the border issue informally only (see 1/4, 1/5); says it will not participate in further mtgs. of the security or normalization comms. until Israel agrees to discuss withdrawal formally. Pres. Clinton flies to Shepherdstown for 3d time this wk., holds 6 hrs. of talks with Barak, Shara` but does not break the impasse. (SA 1/6 in WNC 1/7; MM, NYT, WP 1/7; MEI 1/14)

Russia, the U.S. announce plans to host a FM-level mtg. of the multilateral steering comm. in Moscow on 2/1. (ITAR-TASS 1/6 in WNC 1/7; MM, WT 1/7)

The PA frees Qassim and Dudin, the last 2 Palestinians who signed the Petition of the 20. (NYT 1/7; LAW 1/12; MEI 1/28) (see 12/19)

Turkey's amb. to Washington hosts a farewell reception for outgoing Israeli amb. Zalman Shoval. (WT 1/7)

In Gaza, Arafat receives 3 mbrs of the New York Board of Rabbis; then meets with Brazilian FM Lampreia on bilateral ties, enhancing cooperation, aid Brazil can provide for economic, agricultural spheres. (VOP 8/30 in FBIS 8/31; MM 8/31)

PA police detain 3 Palestinian journalists (Fa'id Abu Shamallah, Mustafa Sawwaf, Tahir al-Nun) who reside in Gaza, work for Al-Nahar, and are suspected of working for Hamas. (MM 8/31; QY 8/31 in FBIS 8/31)

Suspected Hamas mbr. Tawfiq Subay Sawarqa (arrested 8/27) dies while in PA custody. Arafat suspends PSF officers in charge, orders inquiry. (QY 8/30 in FBIS 8/30; MM 8/31; AFP 8/31 in FBIS 9/1)

In Nablus, IDF soldiers clash with large crowd of Palestinians, fire tear gas, injuring 3. (ITV 8/30)

Israel lifts closure on Jericho though PA still refuses to turn over Dudin, Khatib. (NYT, WP 8/31) (see 8/27)

In s. Lebanon, an explosion during training maneuvers destroys PFLP-GC camp, killing 10 top commanders, seriously wounding 17, incl. Ahmad Jibril's son. (AFP 8/31, AFP, QY 9/1 in FBIS 9/1; HA 9/3 in FBIS 9/5)

In Cairo, Israel, PA sign pact, giving PA control over 8 spheres of West Bank administration. (VOP 8/20 in FBIS 8/21; MM 8/21; QY 8/20 in FBIS 8/22; MENA, VOP 8/27 in FBIS 8/28; WP, WT 8/28; CSM, MM 8/29; JP 9/2; WJW 9/7)

Jordan's King Hussein meets with Israeli PM Rabin, FM Peres in Aqaba to discuss Iraqi defections. (IL 8/28; Al-Aswaq 8/28 in FBIS 8/28)

In Damascus, German Economics M Spranger meets with Pres. Asad. (SANA, SATN 8/27 in FBIS 8/28)

Israel demands extradition of Dudin, Khatib in connection with 12/24/94 Jerusalem bombing, vows to keep closure on Jericho (begun 8/22) in place until pair is turned over. For 1st time, IDF stops journalists fr. entering Jericho while under closure. In continuing crackdown in the West Bank, IDF arrests 12 alleged Hamas mbrs, says recent arrests have prevented 2 bombings, a plan to kidnap IDF soldiers. (QY 8/27, JP 8/28 in FBIS 8/28; MM, NYT, WP, WT 8/28) (see 8/25)

Israeli police release Fatah's Ghunaym. (Al-Quds 8/28 in FBIS 8/30) (see 8/21)

IDF lifts closure on West Bank, but says closure on Jericho will remain in place through 8/30. (QY, VOP 8/27 in FBIS 8/28)

Arab League says it strongly opposes Israeli efforts to resettle Palestinian refugees in host countries, attempts to transfer functions of the UNRWA to th PA so as to distance the UN from the refugee problem. (RE 8/26 in FBIS 8/29)

In 1st military court trial in Jericho, PA convicts pair arrested 8/24 of "carrying out activities which harm general security . . . and the peace process"; gives Dudin 12 yrs, Khatib 7 yrs. (QY, VOP 8/26 in FBIS 8/28; NYT, WT 8/27)

As the IDF, Hizballah continue to exchange artillery fire, Lebanese Speaker Nabih Birri calls on U.S. to pressure Israeli to stop attacks on s. Lebanon. (RL, SARR 8/26 in FBIS 8/28) (see 8/24)

Social/Economic/Political

Arab World: Jordan closes all 25 offices of Fateh while allowing 12 "PLO offices" to remain open; Arafat's military deputy and chief delegate in Amman, Khalil al-Wazir (Abu Jihad) given 48 hours to leave, movement of top Fateh officials restricted [NYT 7/8; WP 7/8, 7/9]. The New York Times cites reports that Jordan ispressuring 4 Palestinians to accept Israeli appointments to mayoralties of their towns: Khalil Musa for Ramallah; Walid Mustafa for al-Birah; Muhammad Ja'bari for Hebron; and 'Abd al-Fatah Dudin for Dura [FJ 7/4; NYT 7/8, 7/9].