Abbas calls off Gaza visit, says Aqaba speech was misunderstood

Jpost ^ | June 8 2003

[veronica]

Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) said Sunday that he is keen on pursuing talks with Hamas and other Palestinian groups with the hope of avoiding a civil war.

Speaking at his office in the West Bank town of Ramallah, Abbas said many Palestinians misunderstood his speech at the Aqaba summit in Jordan last week. It seems that the Aqaba speech has been misunderstood," Abbas said.

He said he would clarify his position on this matter later. There is no other way but to continue the dialogue [with the Palestinian factions]," he stressed. This is the only way to achieve our desired goal. What we want this dialogue to achieve calm, not a civil war. We want normal relations between our people and we won't allow anyone to drag us into a civil war."

Abbas has been sharply criticized by many Palestinians following his speech at the Aqaba summit, where he condemned Palestinian terrorism and pledged to put an end to the armed intifada.

The Palestinian prime minister has also been condemned for ignoring such critical issues as the release of Palestinian prisoners, the right of return for refugees, the future of Jerusalem and the siege on PA Chairman Yasser Arafat's headquarters in Ramallah.

Palestinian sources said Abbas plans to hold a press conference in Ramallah Monday or Tuesday to defend himself against the barrage of unprecedented criticism.

A senior Palestinian cabinet minister told The Jerusalem Post Sunday that Abbas was "extremely disturbed by the campaign of incitement against him in the Palestinian street." According to the minister, Abbas believes that certain elements in the PA are behind the onslaught.

Abbas was forced Sunday to postpone a planned visit to the Gaza Strip, where he was due to meet with representatives of different Palestinian factions. A source in Abbas's office said the visit was called off following the terrorist attack at the Erez checkpoint and the refusal of Hamas leaders to see the prime minister.

In an interview with Qatar-based Al-Jazeera TV, Arafat defended his premier by arguing that Abbas was not allowed to complete his speech at the Aqaba summit.

"Brother Abu Mazen was not permitted to deliver the rest of his speech," Arafat claimed, without elaborating. A Palestinian official close to Arafat explained that Abbas was forced to omit parts of his speech dealing with the issues of the refugees and the prisoners following heavy pressure from the US. Previous

[veronica]

FYI.

[veronica]

Bump.

[Courier]

"It seems that the Aqaba speech has been misunderstood," Abbas said."

"his speech at the Aqaba summit, where he condemned Palestinian terrorism and pledged to put an end to the armed intifada."

He was misunderstood.

What he was really saying was KILL KILL KILL KILL

Ironically, as I have been writing here incessantly, I didn't misunderstand him.

The President seems to have misunderstood, but if he calls I would be happy to explain it to him. Unfortunately, I don't think he wants to understand.

[Asclepius]

A senior Palestinian cabinet minister told The Jerusalem Post Sunday that Abbas was "extremely disturbed by the campaign of incitement against him in the Palestinian street." According to the minister, Abbas believes that certain elements in the PA are behind the onslaught.

Good cop, bad cop. The Soveits used to play us this way. Listen as voices suddenly demand that Israel issue further concessions to strengthen Abbas' position, to support the forces of moderation against the hardliners etc.

We need to treat the PA as a single, coherent entity, even if it isn't one; if they are not all behind the road map, then they are all opposed to it etc. Otherwise, who is accountable when the suicide bombings commence again?

[Batrachian]

It is quite obvious that the very few timid overtures towards peace that this Abbas was allowed to make will not stand.

Soon the truth will come out that even after the creation of Palestine the armed struggle against Israel must continue. Nothing else was ever contemplated. A Palestinian state is just one prong in an attack who's final goal is the annihilation of Israel. If you don't believe me, just ask the Palestinians. They've often admitted it.

[Dog]

Abbas didnt mean what he said about wanting peace......hmmmm

[Migraine]

Well, when you say something different, depending on which audience you're addressing, not only is it called duplicitous, but it's easy to be misunderstood.

[veronica]

Ho hum, it's all the same crap that's been going on with the Arabs/Palestinians for years. They never met a deal they didn't reject or back out of. At least Bush can claim he tried, and then the Arabs will have to get off his case. Or, there may be civil war among the Palestinians, and we'll see who will win that...

[Ready4Freddy]

"...Abbas was "extremely disturbed by the campaign of incitement against him in the Palestinian street."... "

Dead arab walking.....

[Migraine]

Dead arab walking.....

Freddy's not only ready -- he's right.

[umgud]

I hope the Pali's do have an internal civil war. Then they can concentrate on killing each other rather than the Israelis. Maybe even thin themselves out a bit.

[Coroner]

dubya understands, he's pitting islamonazi against islamonazi!! Hopefully they'll kill each other. Let the slaughter begin!!!!

[Texas_Dawg]

And that's one herd that is long overdue for a massive thinning.

[mass55th]

Abbas should run for office here on the Democratic ticket. He's backpeddling so fast, he's passing Daschle and Kerry.

[ChadGore]

Arafat attempting tp claim a mandate that does not belong to him.

He's a sad, deplorable excuse for a human being.

[Ichneumon]

Abbas has been sharply criticized by many Palestinians following his speech at the Aqaba summit, where he condemned Palestinian terrorism and pledged to put an end to the armed intifada.

Looks like it's time to start the "when will Abbas be assassinated by his 'own people'" pool.

[Weimdog]

This map of "Palestine" by the "Palestinians", clearly shows their intentions. The name Israel is nowhere to be found.

http://www.pcbs.org/english/pal_map.htm

[Nebr FAL owner]

That ain't no sh*t the guy is gonna get whacked by his own .
I personally think he will either get machine gunned by a member of his own body guard on orders from Arafat or his car is gonna go BOOM with him in it.