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PM threatens to quit as Arafat hinders change
Facing an imminent deadline to form a new government, Palestinian prime minister Mahmud Abbas is meeting dogged resistance to change from his boss Yasser Arafat (1927-2003?) and has even threatened to quit in protest at the obstacles being presented. Abbas, also known by his nom de guerre Abu Mazen, was "astonished" by the corruption he uncovered in a fact-finding mission to Gaza after he was appointed on March 19, said one official. Abbas has spent much of his time so far in Gaza, which unlike the West Bank has not been reoccupied by Israel and where the Palestinian Authority, set up under the 1993 Oslo accords and headed by Arafat, still functions. After extensive talks with various factions and individuals, private sector business and human rights workers, Abbas was "astonished by the degree of corruption" he found, especially in the security apparatus, one official said. The range of abuses by the security services ranged from protection rackets to major mismanagement. When he returned to the Fatah Central Committee on Saturday he told Arafat he was ready to quit, insiders said, but stressed they believed the threat was a bargaining tactic. The two men, co-founders of the mainstream Fatah faction, argued over the role of the security forces and the need for reforms, with Arafat insisting the apparatus was under his jurisdiction and he that would take steps, not Abbas.No surprise here, unless it's that he actually threatened to quit. The PA is a sick critter. Its only saving grace is that Hamas is sicker. Posted by: Fred Pruitt 2003-04-08 |
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