The Palestine Chronology

PLO-Israeli negotiations in Taba, Egypt, on plan for Palestinian authority in Gaza and Jericho resume, after each side accuses other of wasting time. Subcomms. on security and civilian affairs meet for 1st time. (WT 10/28)

About 40 unarmed Palestinian police officers march in uniform through Jericho, underscoring Palestinian desire for early deployment of own security forces. (WT 10/29)

Palestine Red Crescent head Dr. Fathi Arafat, on world tour, visits Tokyo to seek Japanese assistance in rebuilding Jericho hospital. (MM 10/27)

Lt. Col Munir al-Maqdah, former Fateh cmdr. in Lebanon, announces formation of "Black September 13 Brigades" to oppose Israel-PLO DoP (see 10/13). (MM 11/15)

PLO Chmn. Arafat meets Israeli Dep. FM Yossi Beilin in Tunis, presses for progress toward Israeli-Syrian accord. (WT 10/14)

Palestinian and Israeli negotiators open meeting in Taba, Egypt, as Palestinian-Israeli DoP enters into force. PLO delegation headed by Nabil Shaath; Israeli, by IDF Dep. Chief of Staff Amnon Shahak. Talks center on size of Jericho autonomous region, size and powers of Palestinian police force, redeployment of Israeli troops, control over water resources, and security of Israeli settlers in o.t. Palestinians contend Jericho includes entire 133 sq. mi. Jericho district, while Israelis assert only town of Jericho, about 10 sq. mi., is to be handed over to Palestinians. PLO security official Amin al-Hindi excluded fr. Palestinian delegation over Israeli protests he was responsible for murder of Israeli athletes at 1972. Munich Olympics. Simultaneously, Israeli FM Peres and PLO Exec. Comm. mbr. Mahmud 'Abbas meet in Cairo, agree on 5 steps for future negotiations including setting up liaison comm. and ministerial-level economic comm. Two sides urge "early resumption" of Arab-Israeli talks in Washington. (NYT, WP 10/14)

PLO Chmn. Arafat dismisses Fateh cmdr. in Lebanon Munir al-Maqdah, who had been critical of DoP and called for Arafat's resignation (see 8/23). (VOL 10/14 in FBIS 10/18)

General strike in o.t. called by Palestinian factions opposed to DoP observed throughout West Bank and Gaza Strip with exception of Jericho. (MM 10/13; CSM 10/15)

Lebanese FM Faris Buwayz, in interview with WT, faults DoP for not affirming Palestinian right of return, says "It is not fair to solve the Palestinian problem to create a Lebanese one.... implanting 400,000 Palestinians in Lebanon will create political, confessional, religious problems." (WT 10/13)

Israeli PM Rabin, in Beijing, admits Israel has sold arms to China, denies Israel broke U.S. laws against technology transfers and disputes CIA estimate that Israel-China arms trade amounts to billions of dollars a year, saying 1992-93 trade totaled $60 m. Rabin says "we have never done anything against American law" and asserts, "We are not stupid enough to endanger" U.S. aid to Israel. Rabin's 4-day visit to China includes meeting with Chinese DM Chi Haotian, tours of Chinese arms plants, and visit to Shanghai. (NYT, WT 10/14)

Palestinian delegation to peace talks holds coordinating meeting in Jerusalem. (Qol Yisra'el 8/23 in FBIS 8/24)

PLO Chmn. Arafat visits Amman for talks with Jordanian leaders, defends "Gaza-Jericho lst" plan. (MM 8/24)

PLO names teams to Jordanian-Palestinian comms. set up 7/14. Each of 6 teams to be headed by Exec. Comm. mbr. (al-Ray 8/23 in FBIS 8/24)

PFLP rep. on PLO Exec. Comm. 'Abd al-Rahman Malluh says comm. mbrs. disturbed by PLO "political concessions," threatens mass resignation. (MM 8/24)

Fateh cmdr. in Lebanon Lt. Col. Munir al-Maqdah calls for Arafat's resignation, citing effects of PLO financial crisis on fighters, political concessions. "Fateh Free Officers" release statement in o.t. saying they have lost confidence in Arafat; al-Sharq al-Awsat says "Force 17" endorses "Free Officers' " position. Fateh Cent. Comm. mbr. Khalid al-Hasan endorses calls for "national salvation govt." (RFL 8/23 in FBIS 8/23; MM 8/24)

General Accounting Office (GAO) releases report criticizing U.S.-Israel "Arrow" missile program, saying project lacks "sound cost, schedule and performance information." (MM, WT 8/24)