The Palestine Chronology

Jordanian FM `Abd al-Karim Kabariti returns from 3-day visit to Saudi Arabia, reports a "new phase" of warmer Saudi-Jordanian relations is at hand. (Al-Ra`y 8/18 in FBIS 8/22)

In East Jerusalem, Israeli police without warrants enter, search, photograph Land and Water Establishment (LAWE), Jerusalem Media and Communications Center, Palestinian Hydrology Group, PECDAR; question them on their relationship to the PA. (LAWE press release 8/17; QY 8/17 in FBIS 8/17; VOP 8/17 in FBIS 8/18) (see 8/14)

In Hebron, a 2-day mtg. on the city's future attended by 200 Islamist, nationalist figures ends. Parties call for evacuation of settlers, Palestinian sovereignty over the city. (QY, VOP 8/16, VOP 8/17 in FBIS 8/17)

Peace Now survey shows that 32% of settlers would leave the o.t. for compensation; 26% would stay under any conditions. (JP 9/9; JP 8/31 in FBIS 9/1)

IDF extends Gaza closure to 8/20 so PA can continue hunt for wanted Hamas man, Wa'il Nasir. (MM 8/17; QY 8/17 in FBIS 8/18)

14 PECDAR trustees meet in Amman in "attempt to revive" what is supposed to be the principle PA economic institution, mbrs. complain they are being kept in the dark about PA economic transactions, donor mtgs. (MEI 5/12)

PA cabinet condemns 4/27 Israeli decision to expropriate Jerusalem lands. Hamas threatens to stage attacks against Israeli targets in response. Fatah urges halt to talks. (VOP 4/29, AFP, QY 4/30 in FBIS 5/1)

Arafat asks U.S., Russia, Norway to intervene to salvage negotiations; pressure PM Rabin to ease closure, release prisoners. (NYT 2/11; WT 2/12)

Israeli defense officials release paper, targeting 13 Palestinian institutions operating in East Jerusalem for closure. They include: Orient House; Islamic Awaqf; PECDAR; the Palestinian industrial, health, and housing councils; the Palestinian Statistics and Energy Centers; the Palestinian Land and Water Institute; the Palestinian Broadcasting Company; the Palestinian Commission for Citizens' Rights; al-Quds University; Open University. (HA 2/10 in FBIS 2/10; PR 2/20)

FM Peres, Arafat meet to discuss PA plan for elections; agree to continue talks on 2 levels: btwn. Arafat and Rabin on troop withdrawal, transfer of power, security and btwn. Cairo teams to discuss implementation of 2d stage of DOP, elections, Palestinian detainees, borders, economy. (MM 12/21; ITV, QY, VOP 12/21, VOP 12/22 in FBIS 12/22; WT 12/22)

PM Rabin's office announces it will prevent an economic comm. workshop planned by PECDAR fr. being held in East Jerusalem, says PA is trying to create facts. (QY 12/21 in FBIS 12/21; PR 12/24)

PA begins issuing license plates for Palestinian vehicles. Cars with new plates are not yet allowed to cross into Israel, Egypt, Jordan. (PR 12/24)

Jordanian, Israeli tour operators hold conference in Amman, discuss developing tour packages in light of peace treaty. (JT 12/22 in FBIS 12/22)

Israeli Police M Moshe Shahal accuses PSF under direction of Col. Rajub of operating, conducting investigations secretly in Jerusalem. (Ma'ariv 12/21 in FBIS 12/22)

Car bomb explodes in Beirut, killing 3 (incl. 1 high-ranking mbr. of Hizballah), wounding 11. Hizballah, Lebanese PM Hariri blame Israel. (RL 12/21 in FBIS 12/22; NYT, WP, WT 12/22; RL 12/22 in FBIS 12/23; MEI 1/6)

Palestinian is shot dead in Tulkarm, West Bank. Kach takes responsibility. (IDF Radio 12/21 in FBIS 12/22)

Grand Mufti of Saudi Arabia Shaykh `Abd al-`Aziz Bin Baz issues fatwa saying it is permissible for Muslims to make permanent peace with Israel as long as it serves Islam, hence it would be sinful for anyone to oppose Saudi Arabia's steps toward normalized relations with Israel. (Al-Sha`b 12/25 in FBIS 1/9; NYT 1/31; MM 2/14)

Jordanian security court sentences 11 Islamists to death for plotting to destabilize the government through a series of bombings, assassinate leading officials. (RJ 12/21, JT 12/22 in FBIS 12/22; NYT 11/22)

U.S. issues "angry warning" to PM Rabin to stop talks with Iraq following reports 2 Iraqi-born MK's initiated contacts in July; suggests military, economic aid is at risk. Housing M Binyamin Ben-Eliezer admits secret negotiations with Syria over a peace treaty occurred. Rabin claims he knew nothing, Syrian government denies reports. (AFP, ITV, JP, QY 9/19 in FBIS 9/19; WT 9/23)

PECDAR concludes econ. mtg. in Cairo. PLO Pol. Dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi issues statement encouraging new mtg. of donor states, quick disbursal of aid so autonomy process is not hampered. (Al-Hayat 9/20 in FBIS 9/20)

Islamic Unification Movement issues leaflet in Gaza announcing its establishment; claims it advocates unity and coordination, does not oppose any Islamic or national faction (inc. PNA). (Al-Manar 9/19 in FBIS 9/22)

Declassified British documents admit British intelligence secretly established, ran Sharq al-Adna radio in Palestine fr. 1941-56. The station, fronted as an Arab radio, was influential during the Suez crisis, broadcasting anti-Nasir/anti-Israeli propaganda. (WT 9/19)

Arafat arrives in Cairo for the opening of PECDAR mtg.; talks with Egyptian Pres. Mubarak, FM `Amr Musa on aid, mtg. with Israeli FM Peres in Oslo. (MENA 9/17 in FBIS 9/20)

Azmi Shuabi, head of PNA Sports and Youth Dept., announces negotiations with Israel on elections will begin 9/28; says date was decided during Arafat-Peres mtg. in Oslo 9/13. (CSM 9/21)

PNA declares itself sole party in charge of all Islamic sites in Jerusalem. All Islamic institutions will fall under PNA's new Awqaf Ministry to be headed by Hassan Tahboub, a pro-Jordanian. King Hussein denounces call saying he is still guardian of holy places. (JP 9/17; WT 9/18; MM 9/19) (see 8/18)

Unsigned leaflets are distributed throughout Damascus, stating "Peace is in the interests of..Syria," call on Syrians to prepare themselves for peace with Israel. (WT 9/23)

2 Hamas gunmen kill 1 Palestinian policeman in Rafah in 1st fatal clash btwn. PNA security forces, groups opposed to self-rule agmts. (AFP, VOP 9/18; MM, NYT, WT 9/19; MEI 9/23)

Early empowerment accord signed by PNA's Shaath, Israel's Rothschild at Erez checkpoint in Gaza; PNA assumes control of schools in Hebron, Bethlehem. (CSM, NYT, WP 8/30; JP 9/3, 9/10) (see 8/24)

Israeli Industry and Trade M Yosi Snir, Dir. of PNA Econ. and Trade Min. Samir Hulaylah announce agmt. for PNA to issue import licenses for food, construction materials, chemicals, electric appliances. (JP 8/29)

Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction (PECDAR) mtg. is canceled due to conflict over PM Bhutto's planned trip to Gaza. Arafat says Israeli decision to deny Pakistani delegation entry violates peace agmts. Bhutto postpones visit. (MENA 8/29 in FBIS 8/30; MM, NYT, WP 8/30)

PLO mbr. Salah Salah criticizes Lebanese Refugee Affairs M Junblat's plan for refugee housing as an attempt to resettle Palestinians but PLO Political Dept. head al-Qaddumi praises Junblat's efforts, says PLO leaders in Lebanon should coordinate with the government. (MENA 8/29 in FBIS 8/30) (see 8/24)

Jordan, Israel resume talks on security, water, environment, trade, tourism, energy, civil aviation, communications. (CSM 8/30)

IDF soldier 13th killed in southern Lebanon this yr., 2 others wounded in ambush by Hizballah. (QY 8/30 in FBIS 8/30; MM 8/30)

Palestinian journalist Daoud Kuttab is told he can no longer publish for al-Quds under his own byline after he organized a petition campaign protesting Arafat's closing of al-Nahar, a pro-Jordanian daily.  (MM 8/3; JP 8/13)

Israel allows 1st shipment of Palestinian produce under economic provisions of 5/4 Cairo agreement.  Israeli farmers will be compensated fr. $83 m. govt. fund for losses due to Palestinian competition.  (Qol Yisra'el 8/2 in FBIS 8/2; CSM 8/4; TJT 8/5)

Israeli Labor M. Ora Namir decides to allow 5,000 more Gaza workers into Israel.  ( Al-Hamishmar 8/3 in FBIS 8/4)

Al-Nahar newspaper applies for distribution permit fr. PNA officials in Gaza and Jericho.  (Israel TV 8/2 in FBIS 8/3)

Jordanian, Israeli experts meet at Wadi al-`Araba to establish border crossing.  (RMC 8/2 in FBIS 8/3)

UNRWA Commissioner-General Ilter Türkmen begins week-long visit to Gaza, West Bank, and Jordan, including mtgs with PLO Chmn. Arafat in Gaza and PECDAR Dir. Ahmad Qurai`.  (UNRWA News 8/10)

IDF imposes curfew on Hebron Palestinians, clashes with Qiryat Arba settlers protesting death of settler girl.  Settlers occupy 3 apt. bldgs. on hill nr. Qiryat Arba; IDF declares hill closed military zone.  (NYT, WP 7/9)

"Mandela Institute for Political Prisoners" in Ramallah reports that 7,170 Palestinians held in Israeli prisons. (TJT 7/8)

American Near East Refugee Aid (ANERA), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), and PECDAR sign 3-yr., $3 m. agreement to support agriculture, fisheries in Gaza Strip, Jericho area.  (ANERA release 7/11)

Vatican "FM" Archbishop Jean-Louis Tauran opens 3-day official visit to Jordan to meet King Hussein, Crown Prince Hasan, govt. officials.  Talks to focus on diplomatic relations, status of Jerusalem.  (RJ 7/8 in FBIS 7/12)

Donors' mtg. in Paris awards $42 m. to Palestinian National Authority, fully funding Palestinian admin. through 8/94.  Amount is less than $70 m. sought by PLO.  Saudi Arabia grants $10 m., ending taboo on cooperation with PLO and opening way for donations fr. other Gulf Arab states.In compromise with Israel, PECDAR agrees to establish offices in Gaza and Jericho, not Jerusalem, and Israel agrees to grant 10,000 additional work permits to o.t. Palestinians for labor in Israel, increasing total to 45,000.  (NYT, WP, WT 6/11; MM, WP, WT 6/13)

Palestinian police refuse to accept more prisoners released by Israel for at least 2 days until sides can agree where to send those recently released.  150 Gaza residents among 287 prisoners released 6/9 allowed to stay in Jericho area for 48 hrs.  (MM 6/10; NYT 6/11)

Libyan leader Col. Mu`ammar al-Qadhafi, in interview with JANA, says Sabri al-Banna ("Abu Nidal") may be dead.  Al-Qadhafi bases assumption on failure of al-Banna to respond to appeal to come to Libya for conference.  (WT 6/15)

Palestinian police in Jericho, Gaza Strip receive salary, paid with $5 m. in U.S. aid.  Payment comes after PECDAR officials had complained of financial crisis.  (WT 6/9)

Deadline for release of 5,000 Palestinian prisoners under 5/4 agreement passes with only 1/2 that number freed.  (NYT 6/10)

Hizballah fires katyushas on northern Israel.  IAF sends 4 planes on sortie against Hizballah positions in Iqlim al-Tuffah, southern Lebanon in 18th IAF raid on Lebanon of 1994.  No casualties reported.  (WP 6/9)

Russian Chief of Staff Col. Gen. Mikhail Kolesnikov ends visit to Syria, having signed 12 military-cooperation agreements.  Russia reportedly agrees to sell Syria $500 m. in anti-tank weapons and radar, as well as $1.6 b. in other arms.  (WT 6/21)

Palestinians in Hebron demonstrate against previous day's air raid on Lebanon, throw rocks at IDF, which responds with tear gas, rubber bullets.  (WP 6/4)

Israel masses tanks artillery on northern border, southern Lebanese evacuate home as tensions mount after previous day's air raid.  15,000 attend Beirut funeral of some of raid's victims addressed by Hizballah S.G. Shaykh Hasan Nasrallah.  Fijian UNIFIL soldier killed nr. Tyre by unknown gunmen.  (NYT, WP, WT 6/4; RL 6/3 in FBIS 6/7)

UNRWA Commissioner-General Ilter Türkmen starts 2-day visit to West Bank, Gaza Strip to discuss UNRWA projects with PECDAR, Israeli officials.  Türkmen also reviews UNRWA's "Peace Implementation Programme" with UNRWA field directors.  (UNRWA News 6/15)

IDF soldier killed in shooting incident at Nahal Oz crossing, Gaza Strip.  Soldiers on duty reported shots fr. inside Gaza Strip and returned fire.  Casualty may have been caused by IDF return fire.  Palestinian police investigate.  (NYT, WP 5/31; WJW 6/2; JP 6/11)

100s of Palestinian prisoners released fr. Qetziot ("Ansar 3") prison in implementation of 5/4 Israel-PLO accord.  (NYT, WP 5/31; WT 6/1)

Hamas stages rally attended by over 2,000 in Jericho.  (TJT 6/3)

Faisal Husseini, returning to Jerusalem fr. PNA mtg. in Tunis, says Palestinians will "not accept any change in the status quo" of Jerusalem, any Israeli closure of Orient House "would be a violation of the [5/4] agreement."  (Qol Yisra'el 5/30 in FBIS 5/31; MM 5/31)

PECDAR (Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction) officials say PLO will be able to meet salaries of Gaza, Jericho civil servants without Israeli subsidies, but seek $300 m. in start-up assistance.  (MM 5/31; WT 6/1)

Equipment for Palestinian Broadcasting Corp. held up at Tel Aviv airport for payment of unspecified taxes to Israel, according to dep. board chmn. Sam'an Khoury.  (MM 5/31; WT 6/1; TJT 6/3)

PM Rabin meets visiting Russian Middle East envoy Viktor Posuvalyuk in Jerusalem.  Posuvalyuk tells reporters Syria "interested in achieving peace."  (MM 5/31)

Secy. of State Christopher presents Syrian counterproposals to Israeli PM Rabin. FM Peres says Syrian ideas received "with great interest." Christopher calls progress "significant," plans to return to region later in month. (CSM, MM, WP, WT 5/3)

Knesset defeats 3 motions of no confidence in Rabin govt. Rabin opens Labor party mtg. on negotiations to public. Opposition posters throughout Israel declare "The nation is with the Golan." Rabin, defending withdrawal proposals in Knesset, observes "Tanks, not settlements, provide security. If people want to rule over a foreign nation, they must know it is going to cost them blood." (MM, NYT, WT 5/3)

Israel and PLO sign formal agreement on TIPH at Danish FMin. TIPH force-90 Norwegians, 35 Danes, and 35 Italians-to deploy in Hebron 5/8. (MM 5/3; CSM 5/4)(see 3/31)

World Bank releases 3-yr., $1.2 b. Emergency Assistance Program for the Occupied Territories. Plan is to be undertaken by PECDAR in coordination with Israel, World Bank, and donor nations. (MM, NYT, WP, WT 5/3)

International Labor Organization releases report stating overall o.t. unemployment rate at least 25%, over 40% in Gaza. ILO seeks $135 m. for programs to help 12,000 frmr. political prisoners get work, provide 15,000 temporary jobs per month. (MM 5/3; CSM 5/4)

IDF Central Command issues orders restricting use of live ammunition against Palestinians, Maj. Gen. Ilan Biran saying "a new era and a new approach begins." (MM 5/3)

Hamas gunmen attack Ganei Tal in Gush Qatif settlement bloc, Gaza Strip, wounding 2 IDF soldiers. (MM 5/3)

IDF soldier shot dead at Gaza Strip base by fellow soldier who mistakes him for Palestinian assailant. (MM 5/3)

Israel sends 16 delegates, 12 journalists to multilateral Middle East peace talks on arms control in Doha, Qatar, via Cairo. Other delegations only 6 mbrs. (MM 5/3)

IDF, Palestinians clash in Ramallah. 1 Palestinian killed. Muhammad Fanun, 20, wounded 1/18 in Hebron, also dies. (NYT 1/20)

PM Rabin's office releases letter fr. Pres. Clinton allowing Israeli companies to compete for sale of equipment and technology for U.S. civilian space program. Deals would benefit IAI, Rafael, and Tass-Israel Industries. (MM 1/19; WT 1/20)

PECDAR dep. director Hasan Abu Libeh meets Secy. of Commerce Ron Brown in Jerusalem, requests speeded-up U.S. aid disbursement, trade status for Palestinian entity equal to Israel's (WT 1/21)