|
Palestinians meet cabinet crisis { April 22 2003 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2967031.stmhttp://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/2967031.stm
Last Updated: Tuesday, 22 April, 2003, 14:20 GMT 15:20 UK
Palestinians to meet over cabinet crisis
Members of Yasser Arafat's Fatah organisation are to meet in Ramallah later on Tuesday in an attempt to broker a compromise between the Palestinian leader and his Prime Minister, Mahmoud Abbas.
The two men have been attempting to reach an agreement regarding members of a new Palestinian Government ahead of a midnight deadline on Wednesday.
Despite intensive negotiations, Mr Abbas has failed to win approval for his choice of ministers and some officials are talking of a serious crisis, with the possibility that Mr Abbas may resign.
The formation of a new Palestinian Government is an American pre-condition for publishing details of a new peace plan, or "road map", which is backed by the US, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations.
Dispute over 'power'
On Tuesday, the UK Prime Minister, Tony Blair, told Mr Arafat in a telephone conversation that everything possible must be done to ensure that Mr Abbas is installed as prime minister.
And the US State Department has said that the Palestinians "can't afford to miss this opportunity".
"It is essential that the Palestinians complete this process of establishing a government urgently," spokesman Richard Boucher said on Monday.
"Our view is that the formation of a strong and empowered Palestinian cabinet headed by Abu Mazen and committed to serious efforts on reforms and security is deeply in the interest of the Palestinian people."
Although the current crisis is focused on Mr Abbas' appointment, the BBC's Barbara Plett says that also at stake is the issue of who will hold true power within any new Palestinian government - Mr Arafat or his prime minister.
Loyalists and reformists
The "road map" is intended to bring to an end two-and-a-half years of fighting between Israel and the Palestinians.
Mr Abbas, also known as Abu Mazen, has already threatened to resign after Mr Arafat blocked his choice of former security chief, Mohammed Dahlan, as internal affairs minister.
Mr Arafat is reported to want Hani al-Hassan, an old loyalist of his, to continue to head the ministry, which runs Palestinian security services.
Mr Dahlan, in favour of reform, was the Palestinian security chief in the Gaza Strip before a falling out with Mr Arafat.
Mr Abbas, also seen as a moderate, has denounced violence by Palestinian militants as counterproductive to Palestinian statehood goals.
The US wants him to be able to govern without interference from Mr Arafat, but Palestinian sources say Mr Arafat sees the appointment of Mr Dahlan as part of an American agenda, and is also keenly aware of US and Israeli attempts to sideline him.
Story from BBC NEWS:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/pr/fr/-/2/hi/middle_east/2967031.stm
Published: 2003/04/22 14:20:50
© BBC MMIII
|
|
