PEACEWATCH #393
July 22, 2002
THE WASHINGTON INSTITUTE'S SPECIAL REPORTS ON THE ARAB-ISRAELI
PEACE PROCESS
SPECIAL REPORT
PALESTINIAN POLITICAL AND ECONOMIC REFORM
HASSAN ABU LIBDEH
On June 27, 2002, Hassan Abu Libdeh addressed a special
Washington Institute seminar on reforming the Palestinian
Authority (PA). Dr. Abu Libdeh is director of the Palestinian
Central Bureau of Statistics and a professor at Bir Zeit
University. The following are excerpts from his presentation, as
transcribed by the Institute.
"The PA was born out of the Palestine Liberation Organization
(PLO), which was known for a long time as an aging, ineffective,
corrupt, and poorly managed institution . . ."
Why Reform?
"While Palestinians should embark on a reform process guarded by
Palestinian interests and internal conditions, Israel, with all
the might and influence it has on the country, may play a
determining role in the Palestinian infrastructure, good
governance, and alter the current mode of governance. With
current realities at hand, it is only logical to ask whether a
political, social, and security situation on the ground permits
for a genuine reform agenda in the absence of a roadmap to
Palestinian independence.
"On the other hand, reform should be embarked upon as the only
means for survival of Palestinian aspirations. The apparent
conditioning of resumption in the peace process on reform and
changes of leadership in the PA will likely backfire and lead to
further deterioration on the ground. For a typical Palestinian,
reform should be seen as the most proper means for empowerment
and enhancing personal security and the standard of living -- not
as a response to conditions set by external pressure. The
suggested framework for reform will have to be in response to
internal needs, while taking into consideration commitments set
out by the interim agreement with Israel. . . ."
Political Reform
"One of the major weaknesses of the Palestinian cabinet is the
fact that it does not meet. They meet every week for three hours,
but they never discuss issues relating to governance and the work
of the government. There is a great mix-up between the role of
the cabinet as overlooking the interests of the people, and the
program of development . . . and the fact that this cabinet deals
with issues relating to the political context of the relationship
with Israel and negotiations . . . and the government is left
without any directions or guidance to follow.
"In this regard, I think the PLO's role should be limited to
overlooking the process of negotiations with the Israelis and the
political functioning it assumes, leaving the management of the
process of statehood and the daily life of the Palestinians to
the PA.
"A primary step in the reform process should be a genuine and
comprehensive review of government conduct, perceived mandates,
and programs in relation to needs and potentials, efficiency,
track records, the ability to respond to needs, and service
orientation. The PA should also work toward following up on
ratified laws in order to make them applicable, and this is
extremely important. It is not enough for the president to sign
laws. It is not really enough for the Legislative Council to
ratify laws. Ratifying and signing them does not mean application
of these laws.
"There is a culture of not applying laws in [Palestine]. Many of
the laws that have been ratified and signed are still sitting
there, not being practiced. And not only the basic law -- we are
speaking of the most recent, just before the intifada -- the
labor law was ratified, but it was never put into application.
So, signing laws is not enough in this regard. . . ."
How to Advance Reforms
"An increased donor role in supporting the process is vital. This
role could be one of overlooking the process and conducting a
performance appraisal on a regular basis. It is worth, in this
regard, to look into the establishment of an independent,
custodian-like group of donors to see to it that proposed steps
are followed, difficulties are overcome, resources are mobilized,
and Israeli measures to facilitate the process are taken. I
believe that we have already lost the ability to generate the
potential that is required to complete the reform process.
Therefore, some kind of an external, custodian-like setup is
probably a good step to be taken.
"Conditions required to create an enabling environment are partly
in the hands of Israel. Practical steps to ease the suffering of
the people -- such as closures, movement, humanitarian support,
release of funds to support the functioning of the PA -- are
essential. Cessation of Israeli military activities that lead to
greater suffering is crucial . . .
"In the meantime, the PA has to launch a rigorous campaign within
the Palestinian public in support of peaceful means of
expression. I think one of our problems is that up to this point,
officially, the PA has not led in the efforts of convincing the
public, or leading the public, influencing the public opinion
that we have agreements, and probably some activities could take
place, but they have to be through peaceful means. The PA is
neutral in this regard . . .
"General elections have been set, at least there was some
announcement that they will be in January. Some decree will be
issued very soon, but what is the election agenda, in this
context, within the situation that the Palestinians are living
in? Who is going to be able to campaign against suicide bombers?
Who is going to be able to campaign, even to campaign in favor of
a peaceful relationship with Israel, while the Palestinians are
not able to move from one place to the other, are suffering, are
seeing their neighbors and loved ones being killed on a daily
basis? So while there is a lot of emphasis on the need for
elections as a way of producing credible, accountable, democratic
leadership, if we do not work on producing the environment
allowing for those Palestinians who are willing to campaign for
peaceful coexistence with Israel, the elections will only produce
more radicals . . ."
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