The Palestine Chronology

Palestinian delegation presents counterproposal for joint agenda to Israeli delegation; announces willingness to draft joint statement of principles with Israel. (HaAretz 12/16 in FBIS 12/16)

Israeli border policeman kidnapped by Hamas 12/13 found dead near settlement of Kfar Adumim in W. Bank. Israel arrests 1,200 suspected Islamic activists (700 in W. Bank, 500 in Gaza Strip). (Qol Yisra'el 12/15 in FBIS 12/15; RMC, VOL 12/15 in FBIS 12/16; MM 12/16; NYT, WP 12/16)

National Association of Arab Americans and American Jewish Congress issue joint statement urging the Clinton admin. "to take an active role in helping to move the talks forward." (MM 12/16)

PM Rabin and Secy. of Defense Cheney meet, agree to transfer $700 million worth of surplus U.S. military hardware to Israel, including training aircraft, attack and transport helicopters. Rabin later meets with Democratic candidates Clinton and Gore. Rabin expresses his opposition to proposed U.S. sale of F-15s to Saudi Arabia. (MM, WP 8/13; MM 8/14)

Israeli housing min. halts all govt. purchase, renovation, and settlement of properties in East Jerusalem; private purchase is still allowed. (NYT 8/13; Qol Yisra'el 8/12 in FBIS 8/12)

Israeli fin. min. announces that loans raised with U.S. guarantees will be deposited in special bank account, will not be used to augment regular budgets. (Qol Yisra'el 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

Settlements in occupied outskirts of Jerusalem-Ma'ale Adumim, Giv'at Ze'ev, Etzion Bloc, Efrat, Betar, Kfar Adumim, and Adamorganize "Greater Jerusalem" forum to safeguard their interests, encourage govt. to annex greater Jerusalem area to Israel. (Davar 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

MK 'Abd al-Wahhab Darawsha leads delegation of Arab Democratic Party to Egypt to express FM Peres' desire to visit Egypt, negotiate lifting of Arab boycott. (MM 8/12)

Israel reports that Syria test fired 2 North Korean Scud-C missiles recently. (IDF Radio 8/12 in FBIS 8/13; WP 8/14)

Fateh mbr. Hamzah Mubarak is assassinated in 'Ayn al-Hilwa camp, Lebanon. (VOL 8/12 in FBIS 8/13)

IDF shells, overflies Iqlim al-Tuffah region, S. Lebanon. (VOL 8/13 in FBIS 8/13)

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Yesh Gvul & Com. Against the War in Lebanon lead 3,000 in anti-war demonstration. Kfar Adumim settler arrested for shooting 7 camels belonging to local Palestinian. Dr. Radi Saleem becomes 1st West Banker to receive Fulbright scholarship. Taybeh village holds 'arba'in memorial for Hanna Moqbil, assassinated 5/3/84. After 30 mos. in prison on political charges, Dura local council member Abdallah Rajjoub released.

Arab World: Abu Nidal reportedly granted asylum in Iraq after refusing to take part in Libyan-sponsored activities.