Abbas Calls for End of Armed Uprising

netscape.cnn.com ^ | Dec. 14, 2004 | GAVIN RABINOWITZ

[crushelits]

JERUSALEM (AP) - The armed uprising against Israel is a mistake and must end, interim Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in an interview published Tuesday, signaling his determination to change direction after Yasser Arafat's death.

Palestinian militants have enjoyed broad support among Palestinians during more than four years of conflict with Israel. Abbas' affirmation of a somewhat unpopular view comes at the height of his campaign for Palestinian Authority president.

Abbas is the frontrunner in the Jan. 9 election to succeed Arafat as Palestinian Authority president. Abbas, a pragmatist, has the support of Israel and the international community.

While Arafat was still alive, Abbas told associates in closed-door meetings that he felt the uprising was a mistake, but rarely spoke out in public. When Abbas criticized the armed uprising during the launch of the U.S.-backed ``road map'' peace plan in 2003, he drew sharp condemnation at home.

In an interview with the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat published Tuesday, Abbas said Palestinians should resist Israeli occupation without resorting to violence.

It is important to ``keep the uprising away from arms because the uprising is a legitimate right of the people to express their rejection of the occupation by popular and social means,'' Abbas said.

Using the weapons was harmful and has got to stop, Abbas said, referring to shootings and bombings by Palestinian militants that have killed hundreds of Israelis since the outbreak of fighting in September 2000.

[Semper Paratus]

If he says it in Arabic and as part of his platform you may have something here.

If he doesn't get blown to bits before the election.

[7.62 x 51mm]

This guy won't last very long, with that attitude.

[epluribus_2]

The soviet union fell because of star wars and Reagan. If JFngK had been elected, the palirats would have been inspired to fight but may now be demoralized.

[joesnuffy]

Well as long as the Sauds are supporting HAMAS....and the 'correct' Saudi Wahhabist Koran interpretations are applied to everyday education in the Middle East...ain't nothing gonna change until one or both sides are annihilated...

imo

[Redbob]

I knew there had to be at least one arab with good sense.

[John Lenin]

He better wear armor at all times. It will take years to round up all the militants which is probably 40% of the population. It's Arafats legacy.

[trebb]

This guy won't last very long, with that attitude.

Yep - if the e new Hamas guys are too nuts 9aren't they all) Israel kills them. If the new Palesinian is too sane, his own people will kill him.

[7.62 x 51mm]

Sooooooooo true.

[David]

This guy is a signal figure in world history--his impact on the entire globe will transcend his initial influence as a Palestinian leader.