(Institute for Contemporary Affairs/Jerusalem Center for Public Affairs)Lt. Col. Jonathan D. Halevi - Arafat's death generated new hopes in the international community that a "window of opportunity" had now opened in the Middle East peace process. Meanwhile, Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen), who was elected to succeed Arafat as the PLO chairman, faces grave challenges to his leadership. Arafat left to his successors a regime that necessarily - and unlike his absolutist pattern of governing - will be based on a broad coalition between the various political and terrorist factions. Given its fragility, the new Palestinian leadership's agenda will be focused on strengthening its political authority rather than demonstrating greater willingness to make significant political concessions in future negotiations. Palestinian Prime Minister Abu Alla said during his visit with Abu Mazen to Cairo that the PA intention to "settle the issue of carrying weapons [in public] does not mean ceasing the resistance. The resistance will prevail as long as the occupation [exists]. Its nature will be determined by the [Palestinian] leadership and the circumstances of each stage." There is clearly a growing contradiction between the determination of the U.S. and the EU to move quickly with the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the degree to which the Palestinians have the self-confidence and inner stability to become fully engaged as negotiating partners.
2004-11-30 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive