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Israel-Palestine
Barghouti Backs Abbas in Palestinian Race
2004-11-27
By MOHAMMED DARAGHMEH Associated Press Writer
Jailed Palestinian uprising leader Marwan Barghouti dropped out of the race to replace Yasser Arafat on Friday, agreeing to support the candidacy of interim leader Mahmoud Abbas in a move intended to head off a split in the ruling Fatah movement.
That's the one-party system way...
Barghouti's decision not to run in the Palestinians' presidential election Jan. 9 was a big boost for Abbas, a pragmatist who opposes violence and appears to have the tacit support of Israel and the United States. Fatah's old-time leaders had feared Barghouti's popularity among younger activists could carry him to victory - or help other candidates by dividing the Fatah vote, although no other serious candidates have entered the race so far. Barghouti made his decision after Fatah announced that its long-delayed internal elections would be held next summer, a move clearly intended to appease the movement's increasingly restless young guard who feel they have been denied deserved roles in the top leadership.
Posted by:Fred

#4  (who made aliyah recently).

:>
ex Prod waving in admiration.
Posted by: Shipman   2004-11-27 3:25:46 PM  

#3  ..a big boost for Abbas, a pragmatist who opposes violence..

Unfortunately, his opposition to violence appears to run both ways, what with his past unwillingness to deal with Hamas and Islamic Jihad, and to a lesser degree, Hezbollah. Now that Arafart's gone, there's no excuses for not doing what needs to be done, assuming that the Paleos and their leadership truly want peace.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2004-11-27 2:14:53 PM  

#2  I'm in Jerusalem today visiting my daughter (who made aliyah recently). The rumor on the street (actually in the Central Bus Station) is that Marwan was bought off (lots of money, jobs, etc. for his kinfolk).

SOP in the Arab world (well actually in most the world).
Posted by: mhw   2004-11-27 11:48:47 AM  

#1  And 73.72% of the Arab world is disappointed again. When will the humiliation stop?
Posted by: ed   2004-11-27 9:11:06 AM  

00:00