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Source: http://jrep.com/Columnists/Article-2.html
Abu Mazen: Leader or Figurehead?
(Jerusalem Report)Ehud Ya'ari - Abu Mazen has been as good as anointed as Arafat's successor. It is no secret that he would like to overturn his predecessor's policies regarding both the Palestinian internal order and Israel. But it is not at all clear whether he has the inner strength to do so. Throughout his long career in Arafat's Fatah, Abu Mazen has never stood out as an innovative or forceful leader and he hasn't got the personality to win the affection of the wider public. He is well respected but not admired. He lacks an independent power base and has no real constituency on the ground. As a result, he could end up, to quote Prime Minister Sharon, as a "featherless chick," a well-meaning figurehead who lacks the executive wherewithal.