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Politics : WAR on Terror. Will it engulf the Entire Middle East? -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: hdl who wrote (7659)	11/5/2004 11:55:03 AM
From: Scoobah	Respond to of 32591

The prevailing assessment in the territories is that no one will try to challenge Abbas and Qureia during the first several weeks after Arafat's death. However, both have been assigned special security details by Force 17, Arafat's presidential guard. In addition, the heads of the PA security services declared a state of emergency Thursday, and security personnel were out in force in both Ramallah and Gaza. Mohammed Dahlan, who served as a minister under Abbas but was ousted by Arafat, is thought to be behind much of the recent internecine violence in Gaza: He has often instructed Gaza's Preventive Security Service - which he used to head, and whose current commander, Abu Shabak, is one of his loyalists - to engage in armed attacks against Arafat loyalists. On Thursday, however, he said that all the dire forecasts of internal power struggles following Arafat's death "have their source in Israeli agencies that are trying to sow hatred within Palestinian society." He also declared that he stands behind Arafat and that all their disputes are over and done with. These statements were apparently prompted by the fact that Abbas has come under much pressure in recent days not to renew his alliance with Dahlan, as Dahlan's public fights with Arafat aroused considerable opposition. Dahlan even left the territories when Arafat was flown to France for treatment for fear that he might be accused of trying to undermine Abbas and Qureia, as he has made no secret of his political ambitions. A few days ago, for instance, his associates even set up an Internet site, called Palestine Press, that publishes Dahlan's press statements alongside news items. Another person who is currently the focus of much speculation in the territories is Jibril Rajoub, Arafat's national security adviser and the former head of the Preventive Security Service in the West Bank. Rajoub has considerable influence in both the Preventive Security Service and the Tanzim, and he was considered close to Abbas until Abbas chose Dahlan, Rajoub's sworn rival, as his minister of security. Now, Rajoub is considered a candidate for an important security post in the Abbas-Qureia government. Yet another important figure is Marwan Barghouti, who is widely considered the most popular political personality in the territories after Arafat. Barghouti is currently serving several life sentences in Israel, but his public support for any contender could influence a future leadership battle. Former minister Mohammed Dahlan, seen here talking to reporters in Paris on Thursday, is thought to be behind much of the recent internecine violence in Gaza.(AP) Related Links * PA official: Arafat in critical state 'between life and death' * The Arafat interview * Time for an Israeli initiative Top Articles Good sushi in a hatbox Whether one ties the words to the Bible or Joni Mitchell, the phrase works - there is indeed a season for things. By Daniel Rogov The loser Ostensibly there was a vast chasm between the economic policies of George W. Bush, the Republican, and John. F. Kerry, the Democrat. By Guy Rolnik More Headlines 16:31 PA official: Arafat in critical state 'between life and death' 17:27 Rival Palestinian factions meet in Gaza in show of unity 17:07 Egypt charges 5 with carrying out terror acts in Sinai 17:03 Analysis: Rivalries among Palestinian factions may soon reemerge 14:37 Two Palestinian children said killed by IDF tank fire in Gaza 15:48 Controversial archeological excavation site vandalized 13:46 Nahariya kindergarten suspected of child abuse Special Offers Advertisement Haaretz International Weekly Digital Edition - Direct to your computer in seconds. Go >> Shopping Service New for Haaretz readers -- top Israeli brands on one site. Go >>