(AP) Diplomatic source: Arafat underminig independence of PA prime minister

AP via The Jerusalem Post ^ | 16 March 2003

[Stultis]

Diplomatic source: Arafat underminig independence of PA prime minister

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The Associated Press

Mar. 16, 2003

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Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat on Sunday suggested to the Palestinian Legislative Council several changes to a Palestinian basic law approved last Monday that a diplomatic source said constituted a significant decrease in the powers vested in the PA's prime minister.

US President George W. Bush on Friday said that a long-awaited "road map" for peace would be put back on the table once Arafat appointed a prime minister with real power.

The displomatic sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Arafat's suggestions could reduce any pressure on Israel to constructively engage the new Palestinian prime minister.

The road map worked out by the United States, European Union, United Nations and Russia foresees Palestinian statehood by 2005 and an end to Israeli settlement-building in the West Bank and Gaza.

However, Bush has said that first the Palestinians need to change their leadership - and the road map itself calls for Arafat to appoint an empowered prime minister.

The most significant change to the status of prime minister that Arafat suggested was that Arafat wanted the ultimate say in the creation of a new Palestinian Cabinet, suggesting he could have veto power over any candidate the new prime minister would nominate. He also asked for the right to chair Cabinet meetings, said legislators.

"The changes Arafat is suggesting ... could create legal and technical problems and problems with respect to the constitution," said legislator Azmi Shoabi.

The 88-member Palestinian Legislative Council was to meet on Monday to discuss the proposed changes. If agreement is reached on the division of powers between Arafat and the prime minister, legislators are expected to approve the appointment of Arafat's longtime deputy in the PLO, Mahmoud Abbas, as premier.

Meanwhile, Israel pressed ahead with its own proposals over key phrases in the draft "road map." According to Israeli publications Sunday, Israel wants to replaces all references to an "independent" Palestinian state in the road map with the term "certain attributes of sovereignty," also noting that such a state has to be "credible" and "law abiding."

The Palestinians have said US officials have assured them that no more changes will be made in the document.

In phase one, Palestinians would carry out government reforms and crack down on militants, while Israel would withdraw from Palestinian towns. Israel would then recognize an interim Palestinian state. Negotiations on full statehood would come in stage three.

Each phase is laden with obstacles. If Arafat fails to appoint a prime minister with real power, Israel could refuse to end its occupation of West Bank towns and villages. To date, Arafat has failed to rein in militants - a key condition in phase one.

[Stultis]

Sorry. I know the JP requires registration, but it's the only place I've found this AP article so far. Maybe someone can post an alternate link.

[steveegg]

Now why am I not surprised by either this PLO development or AP's burying of it?

[Thane_Banquo]

This just in: The sky is blue.

[Stultis]

What am I saying? Never mind. This is the full text (unless edited by the JP).

[Stultis]

Arafat is trying to kill another peace process and bring more suffering on Palestinians so he can retain his power. Will the Palestinians ever turn on the kleptocratic cosa nostra that rules and oppresses them, or will their obession with the elimination of the "zionist entity" lead them to continue letting murderous thugs drive them to destruction?

[LS]

If as many of us think the French et al sabotagued American intervention in Iraq by attempting to tie us to unreasonable conditions related to the weapons inspectors (i.e., having them absolutely, formally declare that Iraq is "not in compliance"), I think Bush has pulled a 180 reverse on the world with this:

He has essentially said, "Sure, we'll recognize a peaceful Palestinian state with a democratically elected prime minister [other than Arafat]" KNOWING that there will be no such person ever acknowledged by the rat.

It is a way to appear to be on the side of "progress" while accepting the reality that there is no peace as long as the Pales insist on ISRAEL.

[areafiftyone]

Here you go from the Jerusalem Post Diplomatic source: Arafat underminig independence of PA prime minister

[Mad_Tom_Rackham]

The obligatory: "I'm shocked!"

[flying Elvis]

username: oakland Pword: raiders

Some wit has registered fu-ky-u@hotmail.com with many of the other newspapers requiring email addresses to enter.

[DannyTN]

Drudge had a report the other day that said that Arafat had already removed control of all military and law enforcement from the Prime Ministers role. Therefore the Prime Minister can negotiate any peace agreement he wants but he can't enforce an end to the terrorism.

This is why bush said that the Prime Minister must have real authority to be a negotiating partner.

It was a clever release on Bush's part. It was non-inflammatory at a time when we are about to take out Saddam and it praised the "apparent" progress of naming new PA leadership in the Prime Minister role. Nevertheless, it quietly pointed out that we knew the Prime Minister had no authority and we wouldn't negotiate something he couldn't deliver.