Washington Report, October 15, 1984, Page 8

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

September 18:

The U.S. called off its month-long search for underwater mines in the Gulf of Suez after being unable to find any explosives. Four helicopters aboard the USS Shreveport had begun their search on August 17 as part of a multinational effort to locate mines suspected of damaging 18 ships in the Gulf and Red Sea since July 9.

September 20:

The U.S. embassy annex in Aukar, Lebanon—seven miles northeast of Beirut—was severely damaged and two U.S. servicemen were killed when a van loaded with explosives forced its way to a spot about 30 feet from the front of the building and exploded. Seven Lebanese employed at the embassy also were killed, as well as 5 to 15 non-employees. Twenty Americans were injured, including U.S. Ambassador Reginald Bartholomew. Visiting British Ambassador David Miers also suffered minor injuries. An estimated 40 to 50 Lebanese were hurt, 19 of whom worked at the embassy. Responsibility for the attack was claimed by Islamic Jihad, which had threatened on September 8 to strike an American installation in response to the U.S. veto September 6 of a U.N. Security Council resolution. It called on Israel to "lift all restrictions and obstacles" it has imposed on southern Lebanon, and reaffirmed previous resolutions calling for an Israeli withdrawal.

September 23:

Four Americans injured in the bombing of the U.S. embassy were flown from Beirut to Tel Hashomer hospital in Tel Aviv to receive treatment for shrapnel wounds and punctured ear drums. The U. S. had turned down a similar Israeli offer of medical assistance made in October, 1983, after the U.S. marine barracks at the Beirut airport was leveled by a suicide bomber.

September 26:

State Department spokesman Alan Romberg said the U.S. welcomed the news that on September 25 Jordan renewed formal diplomatic relations with Egypt, severed by Jordan and 16 other Arab countries in 1979 when Egypt and Israel signed a peace treaty. "We hope other governments will see it in their interests to move in this direction," Mr. Romberg said. Jordan becomes the first Arab country to resume relations with Egypt.

September 27:

State Department spokesman Alan Romberg announced that additional restrictions on U.S. exports to Iran would be put into effect September 28. Mr. Romberg said that "a license would be required, and normally not granted, for any exports of aircraft or spare parts for aircraft regardless of value or weight, and for export of outboard motors of 45 horsepower and above." The spokesman cited Iran's "repeated support of international terrorism" as grounds for the move.

September 29

Richard Murphy, Assistant Secretary of State for Near Eastern and South Asian Affairs, returned to the U.S. from a nine-day trip to the Middle East, during which he met with heads of state in Egypt, Israel, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria. Mr. Murphy had arrived in Beirut September 21 as part of a team sent to investigate the U.S. embassy bombing. But he was then dispatched to other capitals for "exploratory" talks after indications that progress perhaps was possible on the withdrawal of Israeli troops from southern Lebanon.

October 2:

As he did after the marine barracks at Beirut airport was bombed almost one year ago, President Reagan today said that as Commander-in-Chief he would accept full responsibility for what happened in the latest bombing of the U.S. embassy in Lebanon. Mr. Reagan also said that an investigation had been conducted and "there was no evidence of any carelessness or anyone not performing their duty."

October 2:

Two House subcommittees meeting in joint session approved by voice vote a resolution expressing the "sense of the Congress" that President Reagan should move the U.S. embassy in Tel Aviv to Jerusalem. As a non-binding resolution it lacks the authority of law, so Mr. Reagan can leave the embassy where it is. The Administration has opposed attempts by Congress to adopt either legislation or a non-binding resolution, arguing that both would undermine the U.S.'s credibility as an impartial negotiator in the Middle East. The vote took place in the subcommittees on International Operations and on Europe and the Middle East. Congress is expected to adjourn before the House Foreign Affairs Committee and its Senate counterpart—as well as both the full House and Senate—have a chance to vote on the resolution.

October 3:

State Department spokesman Alan Romberg said there is "no conclusive proof" that Libya mined the Red Sea, where at least 19 ships have been damaged by explosions in the last three months. "But," he added, "there is persuasive circumstantial evidence indicating that Libya was involved in mining the entrances to the Red Sea." Egyptian officials have said that a mine found Sept. 12 by a British minesweeper was of Soviet origin, but that they did not suspect the Soviets of laying it.

October 5:

A House-Senate conference reached agreement on a major trade bill containing a provision which authorizesPresident Reagan to negotiate a free trade area (FTA) with Israel. The conference was called to reconcile differences between the Senate version of the bill—approved September 20—and the House bill, adopted October 3.

October 9:

President Reagan held a two-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Shimon Peres, who was sworn in as head of a new unity government last September 14. Afterward, Mr. Reagan pledged that if in the future Israel is confronted with dire balance-of-payments problems, "the U.S. government will work closely with the Israeli government to avert them." For now, Mr. Reagan said he would allow Israel to receive the full $1.2 billion in 1985 economic aid during this current fiscal quarter, rather than in quarterly disbursements. President Reagan also announced the formation of a joint economic development group to study how the U.S. can help ease Israel's economic crisis.