MIDDLE EAST: Current developments could lead to disregard Palestinian

By IPS Correspondents Reprint | | Print |

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

ABU DHABI, May 22 2003 (IPS) - In a lecture delivered at THE United Arab Emirates (UAE) Zayed Centre for Coordination and Follow-up, Hafidh Al Bargouthi, Editor in Chief of ‘Al Hayat al Jadeeda’ newspaper, based in Jerusalem, said that the Palestinian government of Mohamoud Abbas "Abu Mazin" has come to power to implement the "roadmap".

The continuation of this government is then subject to the implementation of this map which Israel insists must be modified, he said, something which could lead to the early failure of this government. He stated that if Abu Mazin’s government fails to implement this map, then he will be forced to resign.

He explained that Abu Mazin’s government, which counted on the visit paid by Colin Powell in meeting some Palestinian demands such as releasing Palestinian prisoners, withdrawal from the Palestinian cities, and easing the pressure on the Palestinians, has been disappointed.

What really happened has been continuous Israeli escalation in killing Palestinians, destroying their homes, isolating them from their fellow Arabs, and preventing assistance and aid from reaching them.

Al Bargouthi maintained that Israel refuses the establishment of an independent state and also rejects the right of the return of Palestinian refugees. He said that Sharon will visit Washington with the aim of convincing the US administration to accept the Israeli reservations regarding the roadmap.

The lecture also hinted at the Egyptian role in activating the dialogue among various Palestinian groups and maintaining security arrangements.

On the future of the Palestinian question in the light of the current developments, following the US-led war on Iraq, he said that such developments could exercise pressures on Israel to implement the roadmap, or it could lead to disregard the Palestinian question and focus, instead, on combating terrorism.