MIDDLE EAST: Differences between Arafat and Abu Mazen resolved

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

Att.Editors: The following item is by the United Arab Emirates news agency (WAM)

ABU DHABI, Apr 24 2003 (IPS) - A United Arab Emirates (UAE) newspaper today commented on the success of the Egyptian mediation, which resolved the differences between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and his premier-designate, Mahamoud Abbas, on the formation of the new Palestinian cabinet list.

Commenting editorially on the issue, the Dubai-based ‘Gulf News’ said: – The deadlock between Palestinian President Yasser Arafat and prime minister-designate Mahmoud Abbas has been broken, with Arafat taking the wise decision of accepting the Cabinet proposals submitted to him by Abbas.

ôNow, hopefully, events can move forward at full speed. The new government, once in place, will have much to do to prove the trust put in them by parliamentarians and the public.

ôThe reputation of the previous Palestinian administration was at low ebb, with many accusations laid at their door of ineptitude and corruption.

ôAbbas will now have his work cut out to prove that he is worthy of the position entrusted to him and the powers invested in him.

ôArafat, who has loyally served the Palestinian cause for nearly 40 years, can now take comfort in the fact that his position will be as Head of State, leaving his prime minister, as head of government, to run the affairs of the nation.

ôIt is not a case of sidelining or doing away with Arafat, merely recognizing that it is time for change, and that change is best effected by new blood in the administration of the nation’s affairs. Having successfully resolved this impasse, the world can now look forward to a renewal of negotiations with Israel to establish a safe and secure state," the paper concluded.