PA asks US pressure on Israel to withdraw
By KHALED ABU TOAMEH
Jerusalem Post
Nov 22 2004
Palestinian leaders on Monday asked for Washington’s help in holding
elections to choose a successor to Yasser Arafat and called for the
establishment of an independent Palestinian state in 2005.
The Palestinian demands were made during a meeting in Jericho between
outgoing US Secretary of State Colin Powell and a number of senior
Palestinian officials.
The Palestinian team was headed by PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu
Mazen) and included Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, acting Palestinian
Authority Chairman Rouhi Fattouh, Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath,
Minister of Negotiations Saeb Erekat and Finance Minister Salam Fayyad.
It was Powell’s first visit to the region in 18 months, and Palestinian
officials expressed hope it would lead to the resumption of normal
ties with Washington in the post-Arafat era.
“We hope this visit marks the beginning of a new chapter in our
relations,” said one official. “We’re aware that without the US we
would not be able to move ahead with the peace process.”
The official said Jericho was chosen for security reasons, expressing
hope that future meetings would be held in the Muakta compound in
Ramallah.
The 60-minute meeting focused on preparations for the chairmanship
of the PA, sated for January 9.
Erekat told The Jerusalem Post after the meeting that he was encouraged
by Washington’s position vis a vis the elections. “The position
of the US Administration is encouraging because it is determined
to enable the Palestinians to hold free and democratic elections,”
he added. “The US is also determined to revive the peace process.”
Erekat said the PA was still waiting for Israel’s formal approval to
allow Jerusalem’s Arab residents to participate in the elections. He
said five voting centers would be opened at the Armenian Quarter in
the Old City, Salah Eddin Street, A-Tur (Mount of Olives), Shufat
and Bet Hanina.
Qurei expressed fear during the meeting that Israel’s planned
withdrawal from the Gaza Strip was part of a ploy designed to thwart
the road map plan for peace in the Middle East. He said the withdrawal
should be coordinated with the PA in advance.
“At the meeting with Powell we also discussed various issues, such as
the need to remove Israeli army checkpoints and release Palestinians
prisoners from Israeli jail,” he said. “The American side listened
to our demands and reacted positively.”
Describing the meeting as “vital and positive,” Shaath urged the US to
put pressure on Israel to withdraw its troops to their pre-September
28, 2000 positions in the West Bank and Gaza Strip to facilitate the
voting process.
“We also discussed the need to halt settlement construction and the
building of the separation wall,” he added.
Shaath emphasized the importance of abiding by the 2005 deadline set
by the road map to establish a Palestinian state.
Powell, who also visited the offices of the Palestinian Central
Elections Committee in Jericho, said Washington is prepared to assist
the Palestinians in holding the elections.
“I think this moment of opportunity should not be lost,” he said.
“What I’ve heard today is that the Palestinians are committed to
reform. I think we can make a pretty good case that this is the time
to assist the Palestinians as they go forward.”
He said his talks with the Palestinian leaders also dealt with security
issues and funds needed for a well-organized election.
Abbas and Qurei later went to the PA’s central prison in Jericho,
where they met with Ahmed Saadat, Secretary-General of the Popular
Front for the Liberation of Palestine, who is accused of masterminding
the assassination of Tourism Minister Rehavam Ze’evi, and Fuad Shobaki,
a senior Arafat aide implicated in the attempt to smuggle the Karine
A weapons ship in 2001.
In Gaza City, Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar lashed out at the US, accusing
it of being biased to Israel. “We must warn against US policy in
the Middle East,” he said. “The US has an agenda that is different
from ours. Their intentions will be tested according to the extent
of pressure they put on Israel. We fear that Powell’s visit is aimed
at covering up for future Israeli crimes.”
Zahar also rejected any attempt to disarm Hamas, saying his movement
would not give up the armed struggle against Israel. He pledged,
however, to work with the PA to hold the elections on time.