Palestine News Network (PNN) : "Egyptian paper issued: both Fateh and Hamas are studying the details but already have problems"

Egyptian paper issued: both Fateh and Hamas are studying the details but already have problems

12.09.09 - 21:44

Ramallah / PNN – Officials from the rival Fateh and Hamas parties welcomed the Egyptian paper which includes proposals to end the division.

However, both are showing deep skepticism regarding real opportunities and potential application.

In Ramallah, the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization announced after a meeting which was devoted to discussion of the Egyptian paper that it would "deal positively" with it. The Secretary of the Committee, Yasser Abed Rabbo told Al Quds, “The Committee has considered the paper ... the aim of any observations in the matter is to ensure comprehensive success in order to end this anomaly."

He added that "the organization will deal positively with the Egyptian paper, and we appreciate the continuing effort of the Egyptian leadership and will cooperate with it in the next phase of the initiative.”

For its part, Hamas also welcomed the initiative and considered it a positive step, but said it will be studied and that the party would seek clarification regarding certain points. The Secretary of the Legislative Council Dr. Mahmoud Ramahi told Al Hayat that "the paper contains positive points, including the creation of a joint committee to prepare for elections and reconstruction of Gaza, and also of the postponement of the elections to a later date. But there are still points we need to consider.”

He explained that his "reservations, for example, are the proposed formula for the elections, the 25 percent of the system per capita and 75 percent of the lists, as well as the item on the rebuilding of the security services.”

Fateh said the most notable surprise in the Egyptian paper is the postponement of the elections to the middle of next year. Fateh leader in parliament and member of the Fateh Central Committee, Azzam Al Ahmed said, "What was stated in the Egyptian paper regarding the date of the elections was a surprise to us.” He said that scheduling elections must be done within three months.

The mandate of the Legislative Council and President Mahmoud Abbas is for 25 January next year. Fateh insists to hold elections on that date. Hamas has resisted due to the arrest of several of its officials by the Israeli administration and the Palestinian Authority. The party noted that the detentions undermine the possibility of full participation in elections.

Hamas’ Ramahi said that any election must be preceded by the release of party members. “Does it make sense to go to elections while our candidates are in prison?”

Independent and former speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, Dr. Hassan Khreisheh said that the Egyptian paper is conciliatory, failed and will continue to divide after 2011.

The Monitor reports that by suggesting a postponement of the elections, the Egyptian paper is proposing to violate the Palestinian Constitution. At the same time the Secretary General of the leftist Palestinian Peoples Party, Bassam Salhi, proposed issuing a presidential decree on the election date.

Although Fateh announced it was studying the Egyptian paper, most leaders have stressed in private meetings that they are not eager to accept the formation of a joint committee for coordination between the governments of the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

It is expected that the leaderships of the two parties will issue their written responses to the Egyptian paper within days. Their reservations on specific items will be recorded and new rounds of dialogue will follow.

Among the major issues of contention remain security and cooperation.

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