1985 Diplomacy & Treaties Events — Verified Historical Highlights
1985 Diplomacy & Treaties Events — Verified Historical Highlights | TakeMeBack.to
- 04 Feb New Zealand denies USS Buchanan port entry over nuclear concerns: On February 4, 1985, New Zealand's Labour government, led by Prime Minister David Lange, refused the USS Buchanan entry into its ports. The refusal was based on the U.S. policy of neither confirming nor denying the presence of nuclear weapons aboard its ships, which conflicted with New Zealand's commitment to a nuclear-free policy. This decision led to a significant deterioration in diplomatic relations between the two nations. source: washingtonpost.com
- 11 Feb Jordan and PLO agree on Middle East peace plan: On February 11, 1985, Jordan's King Hussein and PLO Chairman Yasser Arafat agreed to collaborate on a Middle East peace settlement. The accord called for Israel's withdrawal from occupied territories in exchange for peace and recognition of Israel's right to exist. The plan proposed a confederation between Jordan and a Palestinian state, with a joint delegation to negotiate with Israel. source: washingtonpost.com
- 19 Mar US Senate votes to continue production of MX missile: On March 19, 1985, the US Senate voted 55 to 45 to authorize the production of 21 additional MX Peacekeeper missiles, a key component of President Reagan's strategic defense initiative. This decision aimed to bolster the nation's nuclear deterrent and strengthen its position in arms control negotiations with the Soviet Union. source: washingtonpost.com
- 27 May Britain and China sign agreement on Hong Kong's future: On May 27, 1985, Britain and China signed the Sino-British Joint Declaration, outlining the terms for the transfer of sovereignty over Hong Kong. This agreement established the principle of 'one country, two systems,' allowing Hong Kong to maintain its own legal and economic systems for 50 years after the handover in 1997. The declaration was a significant step in the diplomatic negotiations between the two nations regarding Hong Kong's future. source: bbc.com
- 13 Jun Schengen Agreement signed to facilitate borderless travel in Europe: The Schengen Agreement was signed on June 13, 1985, near the village of Schengen in Luxembourg. This agreement aimed to abolish internal border controls between participating countries, allowing for free movement of people. It laid the groundwork for the Schengen Area, which has since expanded to include many European nations. source: ec.europa.eu
- 14 Jun Portuguese Prime Minister Mário Soares resigns amid coalition crisis: On June 14, 1985, Portuguese Prime Minister Mário Soares resigned after the Social Democratic Party withdrew from his coalition government, leading to a political crisis. Soares had informed President António Ramalho Eanes of his intention to resign, but did not specify a date for his formal departure. The crisis was precipitated by the Social Democrats' withdrawal due to disagreements over agrarian reform and labor laws. source: upi.com
- 24 Jul Rajiv–Longowal Accord signed to resolve Punjab crisis: On July 24, 1985, Indian Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi and Akali leader Harchand Singh Longowal signed the Rajiv–Longowal Accord, aiming to end the three-year Punjab crisis by addressing Sikh demands for greater autonomy and resolving territorial disputes. The agreement included the transfer of Chandigarh to Punjab and the reallocation of Hindi-speaking areas to Haryana. Despite initial support, the accord faced opposition from some Sikh leaders and politicians in Haryana, and Longowal was assassinated by militants opposed to the agreement less than a month later. source: washingtonpost.com
- 15 Aug Assam Accord signed on August 15, 1985: The Assam Accord, a Memorandum of Settlement between the Government of India, Government of Assam, All Assam Students' Union (AASU), and All Assam Gana Sangram Parishad (AAGSP), was signed on August 15, 1985, in New Delhi. The accord aimed to resolve the six-year-long Assam Agitation by addressing issues related to illegal immigration and providing constitutional safeguards for the Assamese people. source: en.wikipedia.org
- 26 Sep Tunisia severs diplomatic relations with Libya over expulsions: On September 26, 1985, Tunisia severed diplomatic relations with Libya following the expulsion of approximately 30,000 Tunisian workers by the Libyan government. The expulsions were part of a broader pattern of tensions between the two nations, including accusations of Libyan support for subversive activities within Tunisia. The severance of ties marked a significant deterioration in bilateral relations. source: washingtonpost.com
- 04 Oct Islamic Jihad claims execution of U.S. diplomat William Buckley: On October 4, 1985, the pro-Iranian group Islamic Jihad announced the execution of William Buckley, the CIA's Beirut station chief, in retaliation for an Israeli air raid on the Palestine Liberation Organization's headquarters in Tunis. Buckley had been kidnapped on March 16, 1984, and held captive until his reported death. His remains were discovered near Beirut in December 1991. source: cia.gov
- 12 Oct Resolution of the MS Achille Lauro hostage crisis: The MS Achille Lauro hostage crisis concluded on October 12, 1985, when the hijackers surrendered to Egyptian authorities after a standoff. The crisis began on October 7, when Palestinian terrorists took control of the cruise ship, leading to the murder of an American passenger, Leon Klinghoffer. The resolution involved negotiations and the eventual release of hostages, highlighting the complexities of international terrorism and maritime security. source: britannica.com
- 01 Nov Netherlands agrees to deploy U.S. cruise missiles: On November 1, 1985, the Dutch government, led by Prime Minister Ruud Lubbers, decided to deploy 48 U.S.-made cruise missiles at the Woensdrecht Air Base. This decision was influenced by the Soviet Union's increase in SS-20 missiles beyond the 378 deployed in June 1984. The deployment was scheduled to begin in 1988, with the Netherlands also agreeing to a five-year agreement with the United States regarding the stationing, support, and operation of the missiles. source: washingtonpost.com
- 15 Nov Anglo-Irish Agreement signed by UK and Ireland: On November 15, 1985, British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher and Irish Taoiseach Garret FitzGerald signed the Anglo-Irish Agreement at Hillsborough Castle in Northern Ireland. This accord granted the Irish government a consultative role in Northern Ireland's affairs, aiming to address the longstanding tensions and violence in the region. The agreement outlined cooperation in political, security, legal, and cross-border matters. source: britannica.com
- 19 Nov Reagan and Gorbachev hold their first summit meeting: On November 19, 1985, U.S. President Ronald Reagan and Soviet General Secretary Mikhail Gorbachev met in Geneva for the first time in six years. The summit focused on arms control, human rights, and regional conflicts, resulting in six bilateral agreements on cultural and scientific exchanges, improved air safety, consular exchanges, research, and environmental protection. The meeting concluded with the announcement that Gorbachev had accepted Reagan's invitation to visit the United States for a summit in 1986. source: reaganlibrary.gov
- 21 Nov Jonathan Pollard arrested for espionage in 1985: Jonathan Pollard, a former U.S. Navy intelligence analyst, was arrested on November 21, 1985, for spying for Israel. He was convicted of passing classified information to the Israeli government, which led to significant diplomatic tensions. Pollard was sentenced to life in prison but was released on parole in 2015 after serving 30 years. source: bbc.com
- 24 Nov Egyptian commandos storm hijacked EgyptAir jet in Malta: On November 24, 1985, Egyptian commandos stormed a hijacked EgyptAir Boeing 737 at Malta's Luqa Airport. The hijackers, members of the Abu Nidal Organization, had seized the flight from Athens to Cairo, demanding refueling and threatening passengers. During the assault, grenades were detonated, causing a fire that led to the deaths of at least 57 people, including passengers and hijackers. The operation was authorized by Maltese Prime Minister Carmelo Mifsud Bonnici after negotiations failed. Three U.S. military officers accompanied the Egyptian commandos to Malta but did not participate in the assault. The surviving hijacker, Omar Rezaq, was later tried and sentenced to life imprisonment in the United States. source: washingtonpost.com
- 06 Dec United Kingdom joins US Strategic Defense Initiative: On December 6, 1985, the United Kingdom and the United States signed a memorandum of understanding, marking the UK's participation in the U.S. Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI). This agreement established an SDI participation office in London, allowing British companies and institutions to engage in SDI research, particularly in areas like directed energy beams, lasers, and X-rays. The accord underscored the close defense ties between the two nations. source: washingtonpost.com
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