Washington Report, May 31, 1982, Page 6

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

May 13:

At an evening press conference President Reagan declined to answer a question on whether Egypt should agree to holding a meeting of the Palestinian "autonomy" talks in Jerusalem as proposed by Israeli Prime Minister Begin. "We want to stand by and be of help there. and this is one to be worked out between them." the President said.

May 13:

The U.S. House Foreign Affairs Committeevoted to put Iraq back on the list of countries believed by the U.S. government to support international terrorism. The Reagan administration removed Iraq from the list in February, thereby permitting the sale of non-military U.S. goods.

May 19:

King Hassan of Morocco arrived in Washington for a three day state visit which included talks with President Reagan and senior administration officials on a possible agreement to allow American troops and planes to use Moroccan air base facilities in emergencies.

May 21:

Soon after Morocco's King Hassan left Washington, the Reagan administration announced a five-year, $200 million plan to improve food production in Morocco, describing it as "a cooperative venture" between the U.S. and Morocco, which would also contribute funds. Final agreement had not been reached on an accord that would have allowed U.S. military access to Morocean facilities.

May 21:

The official U.S. position of neutrality toward the Iran-Iraq war was reiterated by State Department spokesman Alan Romberg, who said that the U.S. "maintained a firm policy of not approving the sale or transfer of American military equipment and supplies to either belligerent."

May 21:

Speaking to the Foreign Policy Association meeting in New York City. U.S. Secretary of Defense Caspar Weinberger said in response to a question on a possible sale of American arms to .Jordan that the administration's commitment to Israel was "unswerving" and "unchallenged."

May 22:

U.S. State Department officials said that the U.S. is quietly asking, leaders of several countries—specifically Turkey, Malaysia, Pakistan, Indonesia and Algeria—to urge Ayatollah Ruhollah Khomeini of Iran to reach agreement with Iraqi leaders to end their 20-month-old war.

May 24:

According to Israeli officials. Israel's Foreign Minister Yitzhak Shamir told U.S. Deputy Assistant Secretary of State Morris Draper in Jerusalem that "it the Palestinian terrorists perpetrate more attacks anywhere and from anywhere against Israel, it will not sit idle and will be compelled to react."

May 25:

The U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee approved an amendment introduced by Senator Rudy Boschwitz (Republican. Minnesota) to increase the grant portion of American military aid to Israel for fiscal 1983 by $350 million. while decreasing, the loan component by $350 million.

May 26:

The U.S. Department of State announced the sale to Israel of an additional 75 F-16 fighter bombers. costing $2.7 billion.

May 26:

Israel's Minister of Defense Ariel Sharon, while in Washington, D.C., acknowledged on a U.S. television program that Israel has been providing military assistance to Iran in its war with Iraq. But, lie said: "only a very small amount has been given.

May 26:

Reagan administration officials informed some members of Congress and Lockheed executives that the administration has decided to issue an export license to the Lockheed Corporation for the possible sale of six L-100 transport planes to the government of Iraq.