Washington Report, March 24, 1986, Page 7

Facts For Your Files: A Chronology of U.S. Middle East Relations

February 17: 

Israel began a six day sweep of 20 villages in southern Lebanon, moving outside its so called "security zone" to search for two Israeli soldiers captured by Muslim guerrillas. More than 1,500 Israeli troops rounded up villagers for questioning and arrested over 150 Shiite suspects, but failed to locate the kidnapped soldiers. 

February 19: 

Jordan's King Hussein announced he would no longer be able to "coordinate politically" with the PLO leadership in seeking a negotiated peace with Israel. Hussein attributed the collapse of talks with PLO Chairman Yassir Arafat to Arafat's refusal to accept U.N. Security Council Resolution 242, which recognizes Israel. 

February 20: 

The U.S. blamed PLO Chairman Yassir Arafat for the break with Jordan's King Hussein, saying that the PLO should have accepted Resolution 242 in return for a U.S. offer to invite it to an international peace conference on the Middle East. Arafat had said he would not accept 242 until the U.S. recognized the Palestinians' right to selfdetermination. 

February 26: 

Between 2,000 and 8,000 Egyptian police conscripts began two days of rioting, smashing and setting fire to luxury hotels, nightclubs, and casinos in and around Cairo. Over 100 people were killed in the most serious domestic violence to confront Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak since he took office in 1981. 

March 2: 

Unidentified gunmen assassinated Zafer Al Masri, the Israeli appointed mayor of the West Bank city of Nablus. Two extremist Palestinian organizations the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) and the Abu Nidal group each claimed responsibility for the killing. The PFLP said AI Masri had been executed for participating "the Zionist Jordanian plan aimed at liquidating the Palestinian cause." 

March 4: 

Over 20,000 Palestinians marched through Nablus in a funeral procession for assassinated leader Zafer Al Masri, waving Palestinian flags, chanting slogans denouncing both King Hussein and Syrian President Assad, and declaring their support for the PLO. In a clear departure from established policy in the Occupied Territories, Israeli authorities did not interrupt the demonstration or make any arrests. 

March 6: 

A presidential task force on combatting terrorism headed by Vice President George Bush recommended establishing the death penalty for the murder of U.S. hostages held anywhere in the world. The task force's report, which also recommended increased use of spies to penetrate terrorist organizations, did not resolve the dispute between Secretary of State Shultz and Defense Secretary Weinberger on when it would be appropriate for the U.S. to use military force against terrorists. 

March 7: 

Iranian Prime Minister Moussavi accused Saudi Arabia and Kuwait of "conspiring" with the United States to reduce oil prices and undermine Iran's ability to finance its war with Iraq. 

March 11: 

The Reagan Administration notified Congress that it intends to sell $354 million in anti aircraft and anti ship missiles to Saudi Arabia. Strong opposition to the sale was expected from the pro Israel Lobby and its Congressional supporters, who claim Saudi efforts to advance the Mideast peace process have not been strong enough to justify the sale.