Posted on 08/31/2002 9:05:08 AM PDT by stilts
The only Palestinian left in Cyprus following the deal to end the siege of the Church of Nativity in Bethlehem feels bitter towards the EU for not fulfilling its promises. He spoke to Michael Jansen in Nicosia.
Abdullah Dawoud, the former head of Palestinian intelligence in Bethlehem, wonders whether the European Union can contribute to the resolution of the conflict between the Palestinians and Israel since its member states cannot even agree on a common policy towards the "Nativity 13".
During an interview with Al-Ahram Weekly, Dawoud, 41, asked, "Why hasn't the EU been able to make up its mind about what to do with me during the past three months? I was supposed to be here for another 10 days or two weeks after the others left" for destinations in half a dozen European countries.
The 13 men charged by Israel of mounting attacks on its citizens were amongst more than 200 Palestinians who took refuge in the Church of the Nativity in April when Israeli forces reoccupied the Bethlehem area. Israel surrounded and besieged the church until the EU brokered a deal to end the ordeal of those inside. Under this arrangement, 26 of the men on Israel's wanted list were to be deported to Gaza while the 13 "most wanted" were to be sent abroad to EU host countries. The "Nativity 13" arrived in Cyprus on 10 May and were put up at a seaside hotel until destinations could be found. Twelve left the island on 22 May for six European countries where they are expected to remain for at least a year.
Dawoud, considered to be the "most dangerous" by Israel, agreed to stay on in Cyprus for a short time until he was offered a home. But he is growing impatient to settle down wherever he is sent, start a new life, and arrange for his wife and two children to visit him. He has not seen them since he entered the church in April. "I ring them and they ring me," he said. "In 10 days the children will start school", he observed, making it more difficult for them to visit him when he finds a place to stay. "They are now living in Nablus where the situation is very difficult," he stated. "In the past two weeks the Israelis have destroyed the old city. The old city is maybe 2,000 years old, but no one said anything. Why does the world allow Israel to do what it wants?" he asked.
He revealed that the EU promised that the deportees would be treated equally under a common European policy and would be able to live normally and see their families. But once the Church was evacuated, the Europeans did not honour their commitments. "We were told one thing, but this did not happen on the ground," he stated. Ireland has been the best in meeting its commitments. Spain permitted the families of its three Palestinian guests to stay for three months, Italy for three weeks. The three men in Italy are under close supervision. "They cannot go anywhere alone or have mobile phones," Dawoud stated. He keeps in touch with the others on his own mobile phone.
"I cannot understand what happened, why they changed their mind, why they treat us like this." Dawoud continued, "I don't want to speak against them but we want a good solution for our situation. We have no problems with any [European] country. They are democratic countries which respect human rights. I hope they will respect our human rights, too."
Last week, Dawoud's case hit the headlines in the world press because Cyprus Justice Minister Nikos Koshis claimed he was causing trouble for the authorities and threatened to deport him. Koshis said that Dawoud was "refusing to cooperate with the police and is associating with suspicious persons ... He rejects police protection or escort and he moves around without telling the authorities" where he is going. Koshis charged Dawoud with violating the terms of his agreement with the Cyprus authorities by engaging in political activity.
Dawoud denies all these allegations. "I cooperate fully with the police. My relations with them are good. They are my friends. I do not take part in any political activity. I did not walk any demonstration against the Israeli football team [which played a match here last week]. I respect the law and I respect the authorities. It's not right to accuse me of illegal activity. I am a guest here. I don't have any [political] ambitions here, all my ambitions are in Palestine. I don't know why Koshis made this statement."
Foreign Minister Cassoulides was apparently very upset with Koshis allegations which came at a time his Ministry was trying to complete arrangements for Dawoud's transfer to a European host country. Cassoulides said that an unspecified state had "expressed readiness" to accept Dawoud but added that his departure would be delayed until after the summer holidays. Koshis unexpected and untimely outburst could, unfortunately, cause the unnamed host country to reconsider.
Dawoud said that the Cyprus Foreign Ministry and the Palestinian diplomatic mission here are the only two bodies trying to help him find a refuge. "I have not seen [the EU's envoy Miguel] Moratinos since the negotiations" for the departure of the 12. At that time Moratinos told him that his stay here would be brief. "He doesn't phone me and I don't phone him," Dawoud stated.
In the meantime, Dawoud takes two English lessons a week, reads books in English and goes on long walks. "I got into the habit of reading while I was in jail [in Israel]," he said. At that time he also wrote political articles for the mainstream Fatah movement, to which he belongs. "I have a good pen in Arabic," he remarked. He has not made Cypriot friends, partly because he does not know whether he is staying or leaving. There is, of course, the language problem. But Dawoud's English is improving day by day. "It's more difficult to make friends here than in Palestine," he remarked with a wistful smile. "In Palestine it's easy to make friends."
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