Washington Report, November 29, 1982, Page 6

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

November 16:

U.S. State Department spokesman Alan Romberg said in reference to Israel's deportation of foreigners teaching in West Bank universities: "Actions such as these can only further undermine the confidence of Palestinians and others whom we hope to attract to future negotiations."

November 16:

Speaking at a press conference in Baghdad with visiting American correspondents, Iraq's President Saddam Hussein accused the U.S. of having a policy which "is for a continuation of the war" between Iraq and Iran. Saying that the Administration believes Iraq "has not been sufficiently drained of its political and economic resources," he added that his country will not restore diplomatic relations until Washington ends its "bias" in favor of Israel.

November 17:

U.S. State Department spokesman John Hughes, in a reply to accusations by Iraq's President Saddam Hussein on November 16, said: "U.S. policy with regard to the Iran-Iraq war has been clear and consistent since the outbreak of hostilities. The policy enunciated when Iraqi forces entered Iran (in Sept., 1980) remains our policy today ... We have maintained a firm policy of not approving the sale or transfer of American military equipment and supplies to either belligerent."

November 18:

U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz said at a news conference that Israel's settlements policy on the West Bank is "a major stumbling block, without a doubt, and ... I don't think it is constructive in any effort to move the peace process along." He added, however, that there "hasn't been any link made" between the settlement policy and U.S. aid to Israel. He also said that Israel's policy of requiring university professors on the West Bank to sign oaths that they will not help the PLO was "not constructive at all."

November 18:

When asked about Israel's demand for a negotiated political settlement with the Lebanese government U.S. Secretary of State George Shultz said that "peace treaties between Israel and her neighbors, we think, are very desirable," but that "it is quite premature (for Israel) to be pressing Lebanon for such a treaty or for things that are the equivalent, or the near equivalent, of such a treaty; that it's just not a realistic position."

November 19:

U.S. State Department spokesman John Hughes repeated Secretary Shultz's position on the loyalty oaths required by Israel for teachers on the West Bank, adding that "It is our hope that the Israeli Government will rethink its position and eliminate the requirement for any sort of political pledge from teachers on the West Bank."

November 19:

U.S. presidential envoy Philip Habib arrived in the Middle East on his new two-track mission to arrange the withdrawal of foreign troops from Lebanon and to implement President Reagan's peace plan.

November 20:

A spokesman for the State Department rejected charges made by a senior Iraqi official on Nov. 20 that the U.S. government was allowing American companies to sell arms to Iran.

November 22:

In response to an announcement in Israel Nov. 21 that it was dropping its demand for West Bank teachers to sign oaths but would instead issue new work permits containing similar language, U.S. State Department spokesman John Hughes said "It seems to be a moderation of the earlier position, and we welcome that."