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Arafat's Problematic Role in Mofaz-Dahlan Talks
(Ha'aretz) Ze'ev Schiff - After Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz reached an understanding with Palestinian Minister of Security Mohammed Dahlan over the evacuation of four Palestinian towns, Maj. Gen. Giora Eiland, the IDF's head of planning, was sent to negotiate the details with Gen. Haj Ismail - a personal representative of Arafat who heads the national security forces in the West Bank. Arafat is not interested in the implementation of the Dahlan-Mofaz deal and it is natural that Ismail would act in Arafat's interests to make the implementation difficult. Israel's having to negotiate with Ismail is evidence of Dahlan's weakness in the West Bank and Abbas's preference not to clash with Arafat. If Ismail is responsible for the monitoring of wanted men and the person who collects their arms, Israel will have accomplished nothing. The commitment must be Dahlan's and Abu Mazen's.