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Politics : Idea Of The Day -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (49176)	9/30/2005 10:57:33 PM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

Are people getting fed up of violence by Hamas? Some green offshoots of hope! The ruling Palestinian movement Fatah held off on Friday a challenge from the radical Islamists of Hamas in a fresh round of elections in the West Bank where more deadly violence flared. Hamas, looking to break into the political mainstream while still pursuing its armed campaign against Israel, failed to make significant inroads during elections which were held in 104 municipalities on Thursday. Preliminary results, announced on Friday by elections chief Jamal Shobaki, showed Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas’s Fatah faction had won 51 of the councils while Hamas had gained control of only 13 in an 81-per cent turnout. The results will be a disappointment for Hamas, robbing it of some of the momentum that it had built up during its strong showing in previous rounds of local elections. Hamas is planning to field candidates in January’s legislative elections for the first time despite threats from Israel to hamper the polls in the occupied West Bank if the movement, which does not recognise the Jewish state’s right to exist, participates. Commentators, however, played down the wider implications of the results of the latest elections largely held in villages, saying local issues and tribal affiliations were the main factor in determining how people voted. "The tribal factor played a primary role. The main factor was the municipal services being promised by different candidates and the political dimension did not really feature in the minds of the electorate," political analyst Zakaria al-Qaq told AFP. "The results cannot serve as an indicator for the outcome of the legislative elections." Instead, the fourth and final phase of the municipal elections in December, which will see voters cast their ballots in the main cities of the West Bank and Gaza, will be a "more important political radar", the analyst added.

To: IQBAL LATIF who wrote (49176)	10/1/2005 9:33:16 AM
From: IQBAL LATIF	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 50167

Global war on terror-1 Major offensive against N. Waziristan miscreants in offing (Updated at 1420 PST) MIRANSHAH: Authorities have completed preparations for launching major campaign against miscreants in North Waziristan. The women and children have been directed to move out of the area. The miscreants and their accomplices in the area were advised to layoff arms and surrender to the forces but they didn’t respond positively, high officials of the security forces told Geo. The security forces have now decided to launch a major offensive in the area, for which all preparations have been completed and the drive can be started at any time. Authorities have asked women and children to leave the area to avoid any loss during the campaign.