The Palestine Chronology

Chmn. Arafat meets Pres. al-Asad in Damascus, the first time the two bitter rivals have met since 1983. The two reportedly agree that the multilateral Arab-Israeli talks on regional cooperation, envisaged as the third-stage of the peace process, would be futile unless Israel agrees to withdraw from the o.t. (MEM 10/21)

Asad had earlier met with Soviet FM Pankin, while FM al-Sharaa received the U.S., Soviet ambassadors who issued invitation to attend the peace conference. Syria indicated it would formally respond to the invitation in a few days' time. (WP 10/20)

Palestinian negotiator Faisal Husseini submits list of 14 Palestinian delegates to peace conference to U.S. consul in Jerusalem. (WP 10/20)

Jordan formally accepts the U.S.-Soviet invitation to attend peace conference. (WP 10/20)

Gulf Cooperation Council Secy. Gen. 'Abdullah Bishara indicates he will head GCC delegation to peace conference. (AFP 10/19 in FBIS 10/21)

Israel reports it has received positive information that one of its five missing soldiers in Lebanon, Yossi Fink, is dead, in a move which may expedite the ongoing comprehensive prisoner-hostage exchange negotiations. (WP 10/20)

"International Conference in Support of the Islamic Revolution in Palestine" opens in Tehran with 800 delegates from 60 countries in attendance. PNC Speaker 'Abd al-Hamid Sa'ih, delegates from the main constituent PLO groups attend, as do representatives of Hamas, Islamic Jihad of Palestine [Fathi Shaqaqi], and groups within the Palestinian National Salvation Front. Iranian pres. Hashimi Rafasanjani declares Iran is willing to send troops to help establish a Palestinian state. (WP 10/20; MEM 10/21, 10/23)

PLO Chmn. Arafat sends letter to Iranian Pres. Hashimi Rafsanjani detailing Palestinian concerns about US.-led peace efforts. Letter, one of many sent by Arafat to world leaders, seen as step toward improved PLO-Iranian relations. (MEM 8/5)

In testimony to House Foreign Affairs Committee, Sec. Baker calls for creation of U.S.-led NATO-style security structure in Middle East to prevent renewed Iraqi aggression even if present crisis ends without warfare (cf. 9/5) [LAT, NYT, WP, MEM 9/5; CSM 9/6].

Speaking in Vladivostok, Soviet F.M. Shevardnadze calls for international conference on the Middle East that would include the Gulf crisis, the Arab-Israeli conflict, and Lebanon [WT, WP 9/5]; Israel sharply rejects the idea [JPI 9/15].

Washington Post reports that U.S. commander in Saudi Arabia Gen. H. Norman Schwarzkopf complained to Defense Dep't and White House about Saudi Lt. Gen. Khaled bin Sultan's remarks on 8/29 that any decision to use U.S. forces deployed in Kingdom would have to follow consultations between King Fahd and Pres. Bush. Bush conveyed to Saudi ambassador "military concern that U.S. forces be unquestionably under U.S. command," and ambassador reiterated what Saudis contend was original agreement between Fahd and Def. Sec. Cheney that U.S. forces were invited to Kingdom to defend Saudi Arabia from attack by Iraq [WP, MEM 9/4].

Cheney says U.S. would "consult closely" with Saudis before launching offensive action from Saudi territory, but stops short of saying whether Saudi approval would be required [MEM 9/5].

Bush admin. begins asking economic allies for at least $25 billion to help defray American military expenses and support countries that have been hurt by embargo on Iraq and Kuwait [LAT, WP 9/5].

Israeli finance minister Yitzhak Modai says if U.S. forgives Egypt's debt, Israel will demand that most of its $4.6 billion debt also be erased [LAT 9/5; MET 9/18].

Qatar expels more than 70 Palestinian families, including several PLO members, apparently because of Palestinian support for Iraq [NYT 9/5; MET 9/18].

Media report of growing crisis in Jordan as hundreds of thousands of refugees flee Kuwait and Iraq for the Hashemite kingdom [NYT, WP 9/5; MET 9/18].

As'ad al-As'ad, ass't sec.-gen. of Arab League, is named as acting sec.-gen. until replacement for Chedli Klibi is determined [TDS 9/4 in FBIS 9/5].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Officials indicate Israel's leaders have decided to postpone expulsion of 5 Palestinians [WP 1/29]. Police Min. Haim Bar-Lev tours Nablus and 'Askar camp, confirms Irael will build several new detention centers in occupied territories, including 1 for children [FBIS 1/28; WP 1/29]. Israeli bus used to transport Palestinian workers to jobs inside green line is torched in Tulkarm district. Commercial strike continues in Ramallah, al-Birah, and E. Jerusalem [FBIS 1/28, 1/29]. Leaflets signed by PLO and Unified National Com. for the Uprising call for general strike to continue, renewed mass demonstrations beginning 1/30 [WP 1/29, 2/2]. According to Israeli officials, 111 W. Bank residents and 18 Gazans have been placed under administrative detention since 12/9; 1,753 have been arrested; and 577 have already received prison sentences for participating in the uprising [FBIS 1/28].

Arab World: PFLP denies Jordanian accusations that it attempted to incite rebellion against the Hashimite regime [FBIS 1/29].

Other Countries: U.S. Pres. Reagan holds talks with Egyptian Pres. Husni Mubarak. Both urge Israeli and Palestinian acceptance of 6-month cooling-off period [NYT, WP 1/29].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Palestinian sources report 1 demonstrator is killed by army gunfire in Rafah [FJ 1/31]. Military rounds up males between the ages of 15 and 45 in Shu'fat during night raid [NYT 1/30]. Troops teargas Palestinian demonstrators in Nablus. Curfews continue in Bayt 'Ur al-Tahta village and Sa'ir [FBIS 1/28]. Curfew on Jabalya refugee camp is lifted [FBIS 1/29]. Military lifts curfew on Jalazun refugee camp, reimposes curfew on Qabatiyyah village following morning protests. Yediot Aharonot reports IDF has established a regional headquarters and several camps in Gaza Strip, a sign it plans to maintain high levels of deployment [FBIS 1/29]. IDF reports scattered incidents of stone throwing in Gaza Strip [FJ 1/31].

Arab World: Israeli warplanes conduct mock raids over al-Awwali Bridge. IDF gunboats fire flares over Sidon [FBIS 1/29].