The Palestine Chronology

In Jerusalem, the Israeli, PA final status teams hold their 4th round of talks, begin detailing their positions on issues that will be addressed in the framework agmt. on permanent status (FAPS). The PA demands that Israel compensate Palestinians damages suffered due to yrs. of occupation, stresses that Oslo agmts. do not give Israel the right to unilaterally decide the FRDs. (AYM 11/19 in WNC 11/23; WJW 11/25)

On the sidelines of OSCE talks, Egyptian FM `Amr Musa discusses with U.S. Secy. of State Madeleine Albright, Israeli PM Barak, Israeli FM Levy the possibility of resuming Syrian-Israeli talks; complains that implementation of Wye II is moving too slowly. (MENA 11/18 in WNC 11/22; MENA 11/19 in WNC 11/23)

At the OSCE talks, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Turkey sign several agmts. to build an oil pipeline fr. Baku to Ceyhan. The U.S. pressed hard for the agmt., which is economically inviable yet will not be financed by the U.S., because it provides a route to move Caspian oil to the West that bypasses Iran, Russia. (ATL, Interfax, ITAR-TASS 11/18 in WNC 11/22; NYT, WP 11/19; Turan [Baku] 11/19, Iran News, Rossiyskaya Gazeta [Moscow] 11/20, Interfax 11/22 in WNC 11/23; NYT 11/21; MM 11/24)

In Cairo, Egyptian, Turkish officials discuss promoting bilateral trade, establishing free trade zone. Egypt agrees in principle to export gas to Turkey. (MENA 11/18 in WNC 11/22)

In Istanbul for the 11/18+n19 Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) mtg., U.S. Pres. Bill Clinton, Israeli PM Ehud Barak meet to discuss resuming the Syrian-Israeli track, progress on the PA-Israeli track. (MM 11/17, 11/18; SA 11/18 in WNC 11/22; NYT 11/20)

Mbrs. of the Palestinian Bar Assn. hold a sit-in to protest the Palestinian Council's (PC) approval of the Bar Association Law no. 3 of 1999, which lawyers believe restricts their work. (LAW 11/18)

Mauritania sends its 1st official delegation to Israel since establishing diplomatic ties on 10/28. (AFP 11/17 in WNC 11/22)

In Tehran, Iran, Qatar discuss expanding bilateral economic, political, security relations. (IRNA 11/17 in WNC 11/22)

Lebanese PM Huss meets with Islamic Jihad reps. to discuss their resistance activities in s. Lebanon. Jihad reps. agree not to take actions that "conflict with Lebanese government's stance." (RL 11/17 in WNC 11/22; al-Safir 11/19 in WNC 11/23) (see 11/16)

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) convenes in Lisbon. 54 mbr.-states attend. PM Netanyahu says that Israel will expand settlement construction in the West Bank; refuses Arafat's request to meet on sidelines of conference (Arafat does not attend mtg.); does meet with U.S. VP Al Gore, French Pres. Jacques Chirac. (MM 12/2; ITV 12/2, IDF Radio 12/3 in WNC 12/4; MM 12/3, 12/5)

PA releases Hamas's Shaykh Ahmad Nimr after a 9-mo. detention in Gaza Central Prison. (MEI, PR 12/13) (see 3/5)

Iranian FM `Ali Akbar Velayati arrives in Syria for talks on bilateral relations. Israel says it is concerned by the visit. (IRNA 12/2 in WNC 12/3; SATN 12/2, VIRI 12/3 in WNC 12/4; MA 12/5 in WNC 12/6)

UK FM Rifkind proposes establishing an organization in the Middle East for regional security and cooperation modeled after the Organization of Security and Cooperation in Europe. Arab League protests that regional peace must be achieved before such a body could be established. (RE 11/6 in WNC 11/7; MM 11/8)

In Ankara, Turkey's Pres. Demirel, Iranian Oil M Gholam-Reza Aqazadeh discuss timetable for implementing 8/12 gas deal (expected to be completed in 1998), possibility of further expanding energy cooperation. (IRNA 11/4 in WNC 11/6; IRNA 11/6 in WNC 11/8)

In s. Iraq, U.S. jet fires on a 2d missile battery after the site's radar appeared to be targeting it. U.S. Defense Secy. Perry is uncertain if plane was really threatened. Iraq says it has not been aiming at U.S. aircraft. (WP, WT 11/5) (see 11/2)

Israeli-Palestinian joint comm. for commodities and transportation crossings concludes 3d mtg. at Erez checkpoint. Progress noted on customs, security, transportation of goods. Agree PA will be responsible for construction of Gaza port point, donor countries will provide financing. (WY 12/5 in FBIS 12/6)

Multilateral Working Group on Economic Development holds follow-up mtg. in Cairo. Representatives fr. Egypt, Jordan, Israel, EU, Japan, U.S., France, the PA agree to form 3 regional councils on finance, trade, tourism to strengthen regional cooperation. (MENA 12/7 in FBIS 12/8)

Egyptian FM Musa meets with Israeli FM Peres in Budapest during Conference on Security and Cooperation in Europe (CSCE), briefs him on Mubarak's talks with al-Asad 12/1. (QY 12/5 in FBIS 12/5)

Pres. Clinton telephones Pres. al-Asad to discuss peace process, Secy. of State Warren Christopher's upcoming trip to region. Later, meets Israeli FM Peres in Budapest, says he does not have good news fr. Syria. (MM 12/5; 12/5 in FBIS 12/6)

FMs of Algeria, Egypt, Israel, Morocco, Tunisia hold "mini-summit" at CSCE conference; agree to form regional security organization similar to CSCE that would meet biannually in Vienna on FM level. (HA 12/6 in FBIS 12/7)

Gen. John Shalikashvili, chmn. of Joint Chiefs of Staff, arrives in Israel for mtg. at Israeli DMin. on possible security arrangements for Golan. (MM, WT 12/6; MM 12/7)

Maj. Gen. Danny Rothschild resigns as Israeli negotiator to talks on elections, is replaced by Brig. Gen. Gadi Zohar. (AFP 12/5 in FBIS 12/5; WT 12/6; JP 12/17) (see 12/3)

Israel grants citizenship to 618 collaborators and their families. (Ma'ariv 12/5 in FBIS 12/7)

Near East Report reports Israel ranks highest in voting coincidence with U.S. in UN for 1994 (93.5%), Arab League states lowest (22.8%). (Near East Report 12/5)

Hariri agrees to stay on as PM of Lebanon after Syrian Pres. al-Asad hosts reconciliation mtg. btwn. Hariri, parliament speaker Nabih Birri. (MM 12/5; MENA 12/5 in FBIS 12/6; WP 12/6; RL 12/9 in FBIS 12/9) (see 12/2)