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| Middle East | |
| Dispute between Arafat, Abu Mazen over Dahlan powers resumed | |
| 2003-05-07 | |
| Palestinian Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) gave a key aide broader powers to curb anti-Israel violence on Wednesday, loosening Yasser Arafat's security grip in line with demands by international peace mediators. An internal memorandum obtained by Reuters said Abbas authorized cabinet minister Mohammed Dahlan to restructure the Palestinian Authority's interior ministry. I been restructured before, it ain't a lot of fun. The decision makes Dahlan de facto interior minister with greater control over Palestinian security services intended to rein in armed groups under a U.S.-led "road map" to Middle East peace, Palestinian officials said. "Intended" being the key phrase. On Tuesday night, Abbas proposed giving Dahlan the interior ministry outright, but Arafat rejected the idea. Reports said Abbas' proposal, made at a Fatah Central Committee meeting, led to a harsh argument between Abu Mazen and Arafat, who also attended the meeting. Abbas has held the portfolio since he took office on April 30, while Dahlan had a lesser job as minister responsible for internal security. Dahlan now gets control of the ministry without the official title. "Dahlan is now carrying out the missions of a minister of the interior. He is in complete control over security agencies," a Palestinian official said.
This could get real interesting if Dahlan takes his job seriously. Yasser is seeing his power slipping away, I don't see him taking this lying down. Shall we start a dead pool? | |
| Posted by:Steve |
| #2 No takers here, Mo is a deadman walking but doesn't know it. Unless he takes out Arafat, Hamas, and Hezbilah first. But that would be too much to ask of him. |
| Posted by: Cyber Sarge 2003-05-07 18:13:26 |
| #1 I've got $20 sez Mo's house gets shot up or a bomb tossed at it within a month |
| Posted by: Frank G 2003-05-07 16:59:32 |