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Latest installment in worldâs longest running soap
A meeting of the PLO executive committee and heads of all Palestinian factions at Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafatâs compound in Ramallah on Wednesday night was not attended by Hamas and Islamic Jihad representatives, a Palestinian official said. "They probably stayed away fearing an Israeli assassination attempt," one PA source said, adding that all Hamas leaders have gone into hiding since the IDF killed Sheikh Ahmed Yassin and Abdel Aziz Rantisi. Arafat called the meeting to discuss national unity and give the factions access to the decision-making process, a PA official stated. "Arafat has been inviting them in past weeks to show goodwill and let them listen. So far they do not have voting power," Bassam Abu Sharif, an adviser to Arafat, said. Hamas has demanded a greater role in decision-making. The movement asked the PA to include its members in the security forces, but the PA has so far refused. Fatah has invited Hamas to join the PLO, but Hamas is reluctant, since it would be a minority without enough power to change policies, one senior official explained. The factions and executive committee discussed the Gaza withdrawal and what position the PA should take. "Should Israel withdraw only partially from Gaza and refuse to coordinate the withdrawal with the Palestinians, the PA will not take security responsibility in Gaza. They will only offer services," Gaza legislator Ziad Abu Amr said. Arafat does not care whether the PA can control Gaza unless Israel releases him from the Mukata, one Palestinian official charged. Arafat fears that former Palestinian prime minister Mahmoud Abbas and security chief Muhammad Dahlan will profit from a Gaza withdrawal and grow stronger. The Egyptians have urged Arafat to move to the Gaza Strip and make sure the PA remains in control. If that happens, Arafat will need an agreement with Hamas and Islamic Jihad to make sure the PA will not find itself less powerful than Hamas and unable to function. Arafat, who does not want to clash with Islamic militants, therefore wants an agreement on the policies, laws, and power sharing with Hamas and Islamic Jihad. Posted by: Phil B 2004-04-30 |
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