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Middle East
Palestinans yet to resolve impasse
2003-11-06
Palestinian leaders have failed once again to resolve a dispute holding up the formation of a new government that has already dragged into overtime.
Comes as a surprise, doesn't it?
The central committee of the mainstream Fatah movement met twice on Wednesday to end the impasse over the choice of a new interior minister, but both meetings failed to find a solution, party sources said. A third meeting is to be held on Thursday morning, but one senior Fatah source believes neither side was showing signs of backing down. Palestinian foreign minister-designate Nabil Shaath said the meeting was called in a continuing attempt to decide on the powers of the prime minister, interior minister and national security council, which Arafat chairs. The main sticking point is Ahmad Qurei's choice of General Nasser Yousuf as interior minister with control over security forces. Qurei's predecessor, Mahmoud Abbas, quit in September after a similar dispute with Arafat over security powers.
So will Qurei's successor, whoever he may be...
Posted by:Fred Pruitt

#6  i have a feeling the arrests are connected to the Israeli relaxations of roadblocks. I have a very strong intuitive feeling that this isnt just some Pals seeing the light on terror - its a political maneuver coordinated between Sharon and Qurei, in an attempt to checkmate Arafat.
Posted by: liberalhawk   2003-11-6 3:12:04 PM  

#5  On the general subject, a few minutes ago the PA said they arrested two suicide bomber wannabees


--------
Palestinians say they arrest two for planning J'lem attack

By Uri Ash, Haaretz Correspondent, Haaretz Service and News Agencies

Palestinian security forces arrested two people in
the West Bank city of Bethlehem on Thursday ....
-------------------------

There is a rumor that Jordanian agents have moved into Bethlehem to whip two of the PA 'security precincts' into shape. This might be from that sub operation.
Posted by: mhw   2003-11-6 1:17:24 PM  

#4  Palestinian leaders have failed once again to resolve a dispute holding up the formation of a new government that has already dragged into overtime.

Move along, nothing to see here.
Posted by: Bomb-a-rama   2003-11-6 11:01:08 AM  

#3  Jeebus, it's like watching an Austin Powers movie. Just shoot the bastard, ok?
Posted by: mojo   2003-11-6 10:37:00 AM  

#2  It would a deep irony after all this if the people who exiled Arafat were the Palestinian legislature rather than the Israelis.
Posted by: mhw   2003-11-6 10:01:59 AM  

#1  Finance minister Fayed says he wont work until theres a formal cabinet (IOW until Arafat gives in to Qurei) That is throwing a monkey wrench into the upcoming donors conference. The euros may not have run out of patience with Arafat, but it seems that a number of Pal politicos are. Arafat could dispense with Abbas and Dahlan. He may think he can dispense with Qurei and Yousuf. But can he dispense with Fayed as well? Losing Fayed should upset even the Euros. Not to mention lots of Pals (at least the politicos - i dont know about the street) Eventually a tipping point....
Posted by: liberalhawk   2003-11-6 9:50:07 AM  

00:00