The Palestine Chronology

PLO Chmn. Arafat, addressing OAU summit in Tunis, criticizes "serious delay" in international aid to Palestinian National Authority, continuing Israeli settlement in East Jerusalem.  Arafat orders most PLO offices in Tunis to close, leave for Jericho.  (WT 6/14, 6/15)

FRC ("Abu Nidal" group) mbr. Yusuf Sha`ban, on trial in Beirut for 1/94 murder of Jordanian diplomat, claims responsibility for 1988 bombing of Pan Am Flight 103.  U.S. officials doubt claim; evidence in case points to Libya.  (CSM, NYT, WP, WSJ, WT 6/14)

Lebanon indicts Lebanese Forces (LF) cmndr. Samir Ja`ja`, 7 other LF mbrs. for 2/27 bombing of church in Zuq Mikhail, nr. Juniya.  (MM 6/13; NYT 6/14)

Israeli cabinet orders some settlers disarmed, 1,000 Palestinian prisoners released in response to Hebron massacre, establishes commission of inquiry to investigate massacre. Govt. orders administrative detention of 5 Kach mbrs., but apprehends only 1 as well as 2 low-level activists. PLO Chmn. Arafat calls Israeli moves "hollow and superficial," reiterates demand for international protection of Palestinians ino.t. Settlers' council "rejects out of hand the proposals ... to confiscatehe weapons of Jews." (CSM, NYT, WP, WT 2/28)

Rioting against Hebron massacre continues in o.t., Israel, spreading to Negev. 3 Palestinians killed in demonstrations, including 1 Israeli Arab, bringing casualty totals to 65 dead, 360 wounded since 2/25. (WP, WT 2/28; CSM, NYT 3/1)

PLO Chmn. Arafat charges that "some elements of the Israeli army" assisted Baruch Goldstein in Hebron massacre. IDF Central Command chief Maj. Gen. Dani Yatom counters that soldiers fired into air, all 111 cartridge cases recovered at crime scene fired fr. Goldstein's rifle. (NYT, WP, WT 2/28)

Funeral of Hebron attacker Baruch Gold.. stein draws 300 mourners for procession fr. Jerusalem to Qiryat Arba. Mourners denounce journalists covering event as "Nazis"; Rabbi Yaacov Perrin, giving eulogy, proclaims "1 m. Arabs are not worth a Jewish fingernail." (NYT, WP, WT 2/28)

Jordan, Lebanon, and Syria withdraw negotiators fr. Washington talks with Israel in solidarity with PLO. (RMC 2/28 in FBIS 2/28; NYT, WP, WT 2/28)

UN Sec. Gen. Butrus Butrus-Ghali suggests sending international monitors to protect Palestinians in o.t. U.S. mission to UN calls offer not "particularly helpful or useful." Statement notes DoP provides for "temporary" international presence, but says UN should not "prejudge" Israel-PLO discussions. Russia supports Butrus-Ghali's position. (NYT 2/28)

Bomb made of 2 82mm mortar shells explodes in Sayyidal-Naja Maronite Church in Zuq Mika'il, nr. Juniya, Lebanon, killing 9 and wounding 60. PM Hariri calls bombing "a plot ordered fr. abroad." Info M Michel Samaha, Damascus Radio, and Maronite Bishop Bishara Rai blame Israel. (RL 2/27 in FBIS 2/28; SARR 2/27 in FBIS 3/1; CSM, MM, NYT, WP, WT 2/28)

Lebanese security officials claim that heavy equipment of Christian Lebanese Forces militia has been moved by ship from Juniya to Nagura, in Israeli "security zone." Move comes after Lebanese government orders militia to disarm in Beirut, surrounding areas, as part of nation-wide plan to reassert authority ofcentral government. (NYT 5/24)