The Palestine Chronology

PM Rabin meets with UN special envoy James Jonah, calls on a third country to accept the deportees for the 2-year term of their exile. (Qol Yisra'el 12/30 in FBIS 12/30; WP 12/31)

UN Secy.-Gen. Butrus-Ghali meets with Chmr. Arafat in Geneva, says Israel should place the 415 deportees in internment camps, and prosecute suspected offenders in Israeli courts. French FM Roland Dumas meets with Butrus-Ghali and Arafat, proposes that UNIFIL take care of the deportees until a settlement is found. (NYT 12/31)

IDF clamps curfew on entire Gaza Strip until 1/3 to prevent clashes on Fateh Day, 1/1. (Qol Yisra'el 12/30 in FBIS 12/31)

Seventh round of Arab-Israeli negotiations begins in Washington, D.C., to continue until 11/20, with a 1-week break around the U.S. elections. Israeli chief negotiator with the Palestinians Elyakim Rubinstein gives letter to Palestinian delegation head Haydar 'Abd al-Shafi focusing on recent wave of violence in o.t. 'Abd al-Shafi responds with comments about Israel's handling of the Palestinian prisoner hunger strike. U.S. tells Palestinian negotiators they should drop insistence on full Israeli withdrawal from the W. Bank and Gaza Strip. (MM 10/21, 10/22; Qol Yisra'el 10/22 in FBIS 10/22; NYT 10/22)

Israel presents Syria with "fresh paperwork" to frame discussions of Golan Heights that reflects not new proposals, but more forthcoming language-talk of "territorial dimension" is replaced by explicit use of the word "withdrawal." Syrian delegation head Muwaffaq al-'Allaf says the Israeli ideas are "old and unsatisfactory." (MM 10/21, 10/22; Qol Yisra'el 10/22 in FBIS 10/22; NYT 10/22)

PLO pol. dept. head Faruq al-Qaddumi meets with French FM Roland Dumas in Paris. Chmn. Arafat meets with Spanish FM in Tunis. (Algiers VOP 10/22 in FBIS 10/23)

Israel accepts Tunis' offer to host next round (beginning 1/93) of multilateral talks on refugees. Israel rejects a proposal to include the issue of family reunification at upcoming refugee talks in Ottawa, saying it is an attempt to introduce the Palestinian right of return through the back door. (Ha'Aretz 10/22 in FBIS 10/22)

Tsomet party joins Likud and National Religious Party in submitting motion of no-confidence to be debated when the Knesset winter session opens 11/2. (Qol Yisra'el 10/21 in FBIS 10/22)

Palestinian gunmen attack IDF vehicle, wounding 2 soldiers, in drive-by shooting near Hebron. (MM 10/22

French FM Roland Dumas meets with Pres. Mubarak in Cairo, then meets separately with PM Rabin and FM Peres in Jerusalem. The U.S. has reportedly sent word to Israel that the Dumas initiatives, centered on arranging a Rabin-Asad summit, do not advance the peace process. Palestinian and Jordanian sources are "suspicious" of Dumas' efforts, as he has made no effort to meet with the PLO, and appears to be working toward only a partial settlement. (Ha'Aretz al-Quds, al-Dustur 10/5 in MM 10/5)

Al-Sharq al-Awsat reports that Chmn. Arafat has solicited the help of Pres. Mubarak in curbing Syrian support of oppositionist Palestinian factions. Ten such orgs. signed a statement attacking the peace process 9/18 in Damascus. Mubarak reportedly promised to speak to Pres. Asad on the matter. (al-Sharq al-Awsat 10/4 in FBIS 10/8)

Hizballah gunmen attack Bayt Yahun crossing point in central "security zone," S. Lebanon, kill SLA security chief Hussein 'Abd al-Nabi, 1 other SLA militiaman. Hizballah loses 2 in the fighting. Israel shells and strafes the area. (Radio Lebanon, AFP 10/4 in FBIS 10/5; al-Nahr 10/5 in MM 10/5

French FM Roland Dumas meets with Pres. Asad in Damascus. (MM 10/5)

IDF orders closure of Palestinian ASIL press service in E. Jerusalem "for the benefit of public safety." (Qol Yisra'el 10/3 in FBIS 10/7)

Israel presents Syria with new 8-point outline of views; Syria terms the paper "not serious" for failing to mention Israeli withdrawal. (NYT 9/15)

French FM Roland Dumas meets with Pres. Asad and FM Faruq al-Shara' in Latakia to discuss Israeli-Syrian negotiations. (WP 9/16; SARR 9/15 in FBIS 9/16)

PM Rabin arrives in Germany for talks with Chancellor Helmut Kohl on loan guarantees, peace process, right-wing rioting. The leaders agree to unfreeze a 4-year, $600 million military aid package for Israel that was stalled during the Shamir govt. (Bild 9/12 in FBIS 9/15; Deutsche Press Agentur 9/16 in FBIS 9/16; Ha'Aretz 10/1 in FBIS 10/7)

PLO Executive Committee begins open-ended meetings in Tunis, awaiting response from U.S.-Soviet summit in Moscow to demands put forward in letter to Soviet Pres. Mikhail Gorbachev. Demands include: guarantees that peace conference will result in Israeli withdrawal from occupied territories, including Jerusalem, and granting of Palestinian self-determination; halt to Israeli settlement activity; and composition of Palestinian delegation by representatives chosen by PLO, including Jerusalem residents. (MEM 7/30)

Following meeting with Palestinian activist Faisal Husseini, French For. Min. Roland Dumas calls on Israel to accept E. Jerusalem Palestinians as part of Palestinian delegation to peace conference. Dumas states he was in contact with Secy. of State Baker, but did not claim U.S. or PLO support for his call. (MEM 7/25)

Federal District Court judges rule against 54 Democratic members of Congress who had sought an order forbidding Pres. Bush from going to war without first seeking con- gressional approval, but also rule Congress could force Bush to seek declaration of war if it chooses [NYT, WP 12/14].

Last U.S.-sponsored evacuation flight out of Iraq and Kuwait arrives in Frankfurt, carrying U.S. ambassador to Kuwait and 31 other Americans [AFP 12/13 in FBIS 12/13; ADS, INA 12/13 in FBIS 12/14; NYT, WP 12/4; LAT 12/15].

American official says U.S. wants to keep some UN sanctions against Iraq in place even if Saddam withdraws from Kuwait; sanctions would continue to ensure Saddam "can't keep up his massive military machine" [NYT 12/14]; U.S. officials accuse Saddam of stalling on setting dates for talks [WP 12/14].

New York Times/CBS News poll finds 45% of respondents believe U.S. should start military actions against Iraq if it does not leave Kuwait by 1/15; 48% say U.S. should wait for sanctions to work; 62% say sending troops to Saudi Arabia was correct thing to do [NYT 12/14].

Concluding 2-day meeting, OPEC ministers in Vienna agree to maintain present production levels and reinstate production ceiling of 22.5 million barrels per day once Gulf crisis is over [IRNA, AFP 12/13 in FBIS 12/13].

French F.M. Roland Dumas says Iraqi pledge to leave Kuwait would not be enough to satisfy UN, but it could move Gulf crisis towards peaceful solution [MEM 12/14].

Tel Aviv military court convicts Col. Yaacov Sadeh of causing death by negligence of Palestinian teenager during clash 17 months ago [MEM 12/14].

Labor party leader Shimon Peres says P.M. Shamir's gov't. has moved into W. Bank and Gaza hundreds of new trailer homes imported to ease housing shortage [JTS 12/13 in FBIS 12/14; MET 12/25].

Israeli cabinet officially and unanimously denounces UN decision to send delegation to investigate Haram al-Sharif shootings in Jerusalem. U.S. admin. officials say Israel's rejection of UN delegation may further strain U.S.-Israel relations [NYT, LAT, WP, WT, MEM 10/15; text in JPD 10/15 in FBIS 10/15].

B'Tselem issues report on Haram al- Sharif incident concluding Israeli forces fired indiscriminately after danger to police or Jewish worshippers had disappeared [MEM 10/15].

Iraq and Iran resume direct diplomatic relations, reopening their respective embassies [NYT, WT 10/14].

Arafat meets with French F.M. Roland Dumas and says he is optimistic about a political solution to Gulf crisis following his latest talks with Saddam. PLO's 90-member Central Council issues statement calling for "balanced and linked solution to all regional issues and crisis in accordance with international legitimacy. . ." [SVP 10/14 in FBIS 10/15; NYT, MEM 10/15].

"Aliya cabinet" chaired by Housing Minister Ariel Sharon decides to encourage increase in settlement of Soviet Jews in E. Jeru- salem, despite gov't assurances to U.S. not to do so. The move is seen as response to U.S.-backed 10/12 UN vote; Sharon says: "there is no better answer to the political dangers" presented by UN resolutions "than strengthening the Jewish population" in E. Jerusalem [JDS 10/14 in FBIS 10/15; MEM 10/15; NYT 10/16].

PLO and its supporters seek to get UN Sec. Council to approve resolution condemning Israel for Haram al-Sharif killings in harsher terms then U.S. draft proposing a fact-finding mission to investigate conditions in O.T. and to suggest ways to protect Palestinians [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 10/11]; PLO Central Council opens meeting in Tunis (cf. 10/14) [BVP 10/11 in FBIS 10/12].

Leaders of U.S. Jewish groups express anger at Bush admin. decision to sponsor UN Sec. Council resolution censuring Israel for Haram al-Sharif deaths [NYT, WT, MEM 10/11].

Israeli gov't appoints 3-man high-level commission under former Mossad head Zvi Zamir to investigate Haram al-Sharif killings [NYT, LAT, WP, WT 10/11; MEM 10/121.

HaAretz reports that in contradiction to initial gov't reports, Palestinians did not plan in advance rock-throwing on Haram al-Sharif [MEM 10/10; HAA 10/10 in FBIS 10/16].

U.S. Air Force temporarily halts all training flights in Gulf after series of fatal accidents [LAT, NYT, WP 10/12].

Jordanian P.M. Mudar Badran tells parliament he will consider popular demands to arm civilians against possible Israeli attack [LAT, MEM 10/11].

Israeli lawyer Felicia Langer, who defended Palestinians in Israeli courts for 20 years before retiring, is named joint winner of humanitarian-award from Swedish Right Livelihood Society [MEM 10/10].

Bahrain-based Gulf International Bank releases study on effect of the Gulf crisis on economies of the region: "There is money to be made from every aspect of the crisis ... As long as oil revenues continue to flow, trade, construction, banking, industry, and other services will respond. . ." [text in MEM 10/11].

French F.M. Roland Dumas says it would be "catastrophic" if UN Sec. Council fails to react to Haram al-Sharif killings; says failure to condemn Israel and take steps to protect Palestinians would be proof of Western hypocrisy [MEM 10/11].

Social/Economic/Political

Other Countries: In Strasbourg, France PLO chairman Arafat offers to meet with Israelis at the UN. Arafat meets with French FM Roland Dumas despite protests of French Jews [NYT 9/15]. Israeli PM Shamir visits Budapest, Hungary; press secretary predicts normalization of Israeli-Hungarian relations in the near future [NYT 9/15].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Demonstrations occur throughout the occupied territories; in Khan Yunis at least 14 people are shot; in Beach camp 9 are shot; in Bayt Lid 3 are shot; in Nablus 2 are shot. Troops demolish 6 Arab houses [FJ 9/18]. Palestinian suspected of collaborating with the occupation authorities is stabbed to death in Nablus [NYT 9/15].

Social/Economic/Political

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Mayor Iliyas Furayj of Bethlehem and Hanna Siniora, editor of al-Fajr newspaper, leave separately for 'Amman for talks with "very high up people"; Furayj says he will discuss "municipal matters," Siniora says he will discuss "how we can repair the damage between the Jordanians and the Palestinians" [LT 10/25]. Finance Min. Yitzhak Moda'i states plans for 6 new settlements in the W. Bank will not be implemented despite his earlier statements to that effect [JP 10/25]. Negev Bedouin refuse to elect delegation to represent them on Supreme Committee on Bedouin Affairs, chaired by advisor on Arab affairs Yosef Ganat [JP 10/25]. Ariel Sharon states in TV interview Jordan must remove PLO bases from its territory as condition for negotiating with Israel [MG 10/25].

Arab World: King Hussein meets with Pres. Mubarak in 'Amman to discuss Peres' proposals for direct talks. Hussein states at press conference that U.S. Congress will not force him to negotiate directly with Israel by delaying arms sales to Jordan [NYT, CSM 10/25]. Al-Quds newspaper in Jerusalem reports Jordan has ordered several PLO offices in 'Amman closed, ordered staff reductions at others, and has refused permission to enter to several PLO commanders, including the head of Fateh's Force 17, Abu Tayyib, and Muhammad Milham, PLO Executive Committee member who refused to sign statement prepared by Brit. For. Min. denouncing use of violence and recognizing Israel's right to exist. (Move follows Arafat's recent cancellation of trip to 'Amman, reported failure of Arafat's deputy Khaled al-Hasan to reach understanding during recent talks with King Hussein on breakdown in talks with British For. Min.). Jordanian army units are reportedly strengthened near PLO camps [JP, FJ 10/25; LT 10/271]. Reports indicate Bishop Iliyas Khuri, PLO Executive Committee member, has signaled his wish to resign over embarrassment due to recent cancellation of talks with British Foreign Ministry [JP 10/25].

Other Countries: State Dept. announces Asst. Sec. of State Richard Murphy made unpublicized trip to Jordan this week to give King Hussein private assurances from P.M. Peres about sincere desire for negotiations. Murphy then flies to New York for talks with Shultz, and later joins Shultz in talks with Peres [NYT 10/25]. U.S. Senate votes 97 to 1 to postpone Pres. Reagan's proposed $1.9 billion arms sale to Jordan until 1 March unless Jordan begins direct peace negotiations with Israel before then [WP, PI 10/25]. Hussein charges U.S. with "reneging" and "blackmail" [WP 10/25]. European Parliament votes to back "with all its available means" P.M. Shimon Peres' peace plan; resolution calls for recognition of the PLO as the representative of the Palestinian people, calls for PLO participation in peace process. Resolution proposed by Socialist group, backed by Italian Communists [JTA 10/25]. French For. Min. Roland Dumas temporarily postpones upcoming visit to Israel to express "displeasure" over 10/1 Israeli air strike on PLO base in Tunis [JTA 10/25].

Military Action

Occupied Palestine/Israel: Shots are fired at Israeli motorist on Jerusalem-Jericho road as he changes a flat. Area is curfewed; no arrests made [JP 10/25].