PA seeks US help with election
by Khaled Abu Toameh

The Jerusalem Post
November 23, 2004, Tuesday

Palestinian Authority leaders asked Monday for Washington’s help in
holding an election to choose a successor to chairman Yasser Arafat
and called for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state
next year.

The demands were made during a meeting in Jericho between Secretary
of State Colin Powell and a number of senior PA officials.

The PA team was headed by PLO Chairman Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and
included Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei, Acting Chairman Rouhi Fattouh,
Foreign Minister Nabil Shaath, Minister of Negotiations Saeb Erekat,
and Finance Minister Salaam Fayad.

It was Powell’s first visit to the region in 18 months, and PA
officials hoped it would lead to the resumption of normal ties.

“We hope this visit marks the beginning of a new chapter in our
relations,” said one. “We’re aware that without the US we would not
be able to move ahead with the peace process.”

He said Jericho was chosen for security reasons, expressing hope that
future meetings would be held in the Mukata compound in Ramallah.

The 60-minute meeting focused on preparations for the chairmanship
election slated for January 9.

Erekat told The Jerusalem Post he was encouraged by Washington’s
position. “The position of the US administration is encouraging
because it is determined to enable the Palestinians to hold free and
democratic elections,” he said. “The US is also determined to revive
the peace process.”

Erekat said the PA is still waiting for Israel’s formal approval to
allow Jerusalem’s Arab residents to participate in the election. He
said five voting centers would be opened in the Old City’s Armenian
Quarter, Salah- e-Din Street, A-Tur (Mount of Olives), Shuafat,
and Beit Hanina.

Qurei expressed fear during the meeting that Israel’s planned
withdrawal from the Gaza Strip is part of a ploy designed to thwart
the road map. He said the withdrawal should be coordinated with the PA.

“At the meeting with Powell, we also discussed various issues, such as
the need to remove Israeli army checkpoints and release Palestinian
prisoners from Israeli jails,” 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 said.

He emphasized the importance of abiding by the 2005 deadline to
establish a Palestinian state set by the road map.

Powell, who also visited the offices of the Central Elections Committee
in Jericho, said Washington is prepared to assist the PA 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 PA leaders also dealt with security issues
and funds needed for a well-organized election.

In Gaza City, Hamas leader Mahmoud Zahar lashed out at the US, accusing
it of being biased in favor of Israel. “We must warn against US policy
in the Middle East,” he said. “The US has an agenda that is different
from ours. Its intentions will be tested according to the extent of
pressure it puts 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. He pledged, however, to work
with the PA to hold the election on time.

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 October 2001 assassination of tourism minister Rehavam Ze’evi,
and Fuad Shobaki, a senior Arafat aide implicated in the attempt to
smuggle arms aboard the Karine A in 2001.

GRAPHIC: Photo: US SECRETARY of State Colin Powell meets with the
Palestinian Authority’s Central Elections Committee in Jericho
yesterday. (Credit: Pedro Ugarte/Ap)