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New PA platform omits 'armed struggle'
For the first time in the history of the Palestinian Authority, the government does not mention in its proposed political platform the Arabic word mokawamah, meaning "resistance" or "armed struggle." Instead, the new guidelines adhere to PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas's call for "national opposition to the occupation," supporting the Arab peace initiative. The new PA program presented by PA Prime Minister Salaam Fayad on Friday includes the attainment of an Israeli-Palestinian peace agreement consisting of pre-1967 borders, Jerusalem as the capital of both states and the honoring of past agreements between the two. The platform also calls for a just and agreed-upon resolution to the refugee problem on the basis of UN resolutions. The proposal, which was presented to PA ministers, requires the approval of the PA parliament. Government sources expressed cautious optimism over the omission of "armed struggle" from the new proposed guidelines. "It is an important declaration and a basis for continuing our cooperation with the PA government," Israel Radio quoted the sources as saying. However, Jerusalem officials stressed that they had not actually received the guidelines in writing and would therefore not give an official response. Hamas slammed the proposal and vowed that it would continue the armed struggle. The group's spokesman in Gaza, Ayman Taha, told Israel Radio that "no decision can erase the resistance to the occupation." Posted by: Fred 2007-07-28 |
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