Arafat to name PM in push for peace
By Sharmila Devi in Jerusalem
Published: February 14 2003 4:00 | Last Updated: February 14 2003 4:00
Yassir Arafat, Palestinian president, is on the verge of appointing a prime minister to run negotiations with the Israelis under a proposed "road map" towards peace, European diplomats said yesterday.
The move was an attempt by the Palestinians to seize the diplomatic initiative ahead of a war against Iraq, they added.
Mr Arafat has until now resisted pressure to share power and significantly reform his administration. But the threat of war against Iraq has concentrated Palestinian as well as Israeli minds on the concessions each might have to make should the US be victorious.
Mr Arafat is due to meet international negotiators today following intense diplomatic efforts in the last few weeks to further the cause of Palestinian political reform.
Israel and the US have repeatedly said Mr Arafat is tainted by involvement with terrorism and is not a suitable partner for peace.
"If Arafat agreed today to appoint a prime minister, it would remove a major stumbling block to the start of serious talks towards a settlement," said a diplomat. "The UN is meeting today on Iraq and this is a great opportunity for Arafat to make a move."
Under the framework being discussed, Mr Arafat would remain president of the Palestinian Authority and retain day-to-day control of Palestinian affairs, which have been severely curtailed by Israeli military operations during the 28-month-old intifada.
Contenders for the post of prime minister are Salam Fayad, finance minister, and Hani al-Hassan, interior minister.
Last month Mr Arafat gave his consent to the new post of prime minister in a letter to Tony Blair before the UK prime minister's meeting with President George W. Bush.
He also stated his acceptance of the "road map" towards peace hammered out by the quartet - the US, Russia, United Nations and European Union. The plan calls for an end to violence by both sides and the establishment of a Palestinian state by 2005.
The Israeli government, led by Ariel Sharon whose rightwing Likud party last month scored a resounding victory in elections, is also under pressure.
Mr Sharon has failed so far in his efforts to form a "national unity" government with the opposition Labour party to deal with the Palestinian conflict as well as Israel's worsening economic situation. |
