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Sharon Calls Mahmoud Abbas

onthebottom

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Could this be the year! We could give Arafat the Nobel Peace Prize for having the good sense to finally die.

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Sharon Calls Mahmoud Abbas

* First Conversation Since Election Win


Jan 11, 2005 11:49 am US/Eastern
JERUSALEM (AP) Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon called Mahmoud Abbas on Tuesday to congratulate him on winning the Palestinian presidential elections, the latest sign that the two sides are eager to restart peace efforts after years of stalemate.

Since Abbas’ landslide victory Sunday, Israel and the Palestinians have signaled their readiness to return to the negotiating table. The election and the formation of a new Israeli government that includes the dovish Labor Party have raised hopes around the world that talks might soon resume.

Tuesday’s phone call, confirmed by Israeli and Palestinian officials, was the first direct contact between the two leaders since the election.

Sharon “congratulated him on his personal achievement and his victory in the elections and wished him luck,� said a statement issued by the prime minister’s office. “They agreed they would continue talking in the near future.�

Earlier Tuesday, Sharon told his new Cabinet he hoped to meet Abbas in the “near future.� He told ministers the meeting would focus on security issues, especially efforts to “halt terrorism,� according to participants.

Abbas is widely considered more moderate than his predecessor, Yasser Arafat, who died Nov. 11 in a French hospital. Israel refused to negotiate with Arafat, accusing him of encouraging violence during the past four years of fighting.

Fresh from his victory, Abbas expressed hope late Monday that the sides will be able to return to the negotiating table.

“We extend our hands to our neighbors,� Abbas said. “We are ready for peace, peace based on justice. We hope that their response will be positive.�

The European Union’s foreign policy chief Javier Solana urged Abbas to immediately contact the Israeli government to revive peace efforts.

“It shouldn’t be difficult to move in the right direction and at the appropriate speed,� Solana said Tuesday in Cairo, Egypt, said after meeting Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia said plans for a meeting between the leaders were still in an early stage.

“When the right time comes, we will go for a well-prepared meeting. We will not go just for a meeting, but for a useful one,� he said.

cont...

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onthebottom

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Cont...

After shunning Arafat for the last four years, Israeli officials have said they are eager to get to work with Abbas.

A senior Israeli Defense Ministry official said Tuesday that Israel was ready to hand over security duties in West Bank cities to Palestinians.

The official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said discussions with the Palestinians on the issue likely would begin in days.

Israel has had security control over all West Bank cities since launching a large offensive in April 2002 in response to a suicide bombing that killed 29 people in the Israeli coastal city of Netanya. But it eased its military presence ahead of Sunday’s election, raising the possibility of a more permanent pullback.

Israel has said progress in peacemaking will be linked to Abbas’ ability to take on Palestinian militants.

The Hamas and Islamic Jihad militant groups have said they are ready to work with Abbas, but so far they have resisted his calls for a cease-fire.

Hamas militants fired barrages of mortar bombs and homemade rockets at Israeli towns and Jewish settlements in Gaza on Tuesday. No one was wounded, but several buildings—including a synagogue packed with worshippers—were damaged.

An Israeli wounded Jan. 2 in a Palestinian rocket attack on the Erez crossing—the main Israel-Gaza border point—died of his injuries Tuesday.

Abbas has criticized the militants’ attacks as damaging to the Palestinian cause. But he is reluctant to openly confront the militants, hoping instead to persuade them to accept a cease-fire.

Sharon, meanwhile, could face difficulties holding together his fragile coalition long enough to implement his plan to withdraw from the Gaza Strip and four West Bank settlements by the end of the year.

Sharon formed the coalition with the dovish Labor Party late Monday after narrowly winning a 58-56 vote in parliament.

Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz told the Cabinet on Tuesday that he expects the pullout, initially envisioned as a unilateral initiative, would be coordinated with the new Palestinian leadership. The pullout is scheduled to begin in July.

But Cabinet members expressed concern Tuesday the new government could be toppled by Likud members opposing the plan.

In the meantime, the Defense Ministry has asked Attorney General Meni Mazuz to review the legal implications of a plan to build a trench along a key patrol road on the Israel-Gaza border.

Defense officials, speaking on condition of anonymity, said digging the trench would require the demolition of 200 to 3,000 Palestinian homes in the border town of Rafah.

Military planners say the trench is the best way to prevent weapons smugglers from digging tunnels under the border. Militants have used tunnels to plant explosives under Israeli military installations.

Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat condemned the idea, calling it “a catastrophe and a disaster for the Palestinian people.�

The Israeli army has demolished hundreds of homes in Gaza over the past four years, saying the structures are used for cover by militants.

The Palestinians and human rights groups have condemned the practice, which has left thousands of Palestinians homeless.

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onthebottom

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bbking said:
Before Abbas can talk to Sharon about a credible peace plan, he is going to have to establish himself as the voice of his people and that means he will have to disarm Hamas and all other militant groups - by force if necessary.


bbk
When you win 60+ % of the vote you have a mandate. While Abbas will have to do that (get the violence under control) Sharon is in a corner at the moment.

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danmand

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Unfortunately, the US and Israel are unable to dictate the will of the palestinian people.
On the contrary, Abbas will be representing the will of the palestinian people, which clearly includes Hamas.

For those of you, who can read, George Jonas wrote an informative piece in the National Post yesterday, titled: "A Palestinian leader can't be moderate."
 

onthebottom

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I think the view of Hamas as a mindless bloodthirsty organization might be a bit simplistic. At the end of the day Hamas will want a share of power, they have it today because of violence - if tomorrow the way to get it is peace they will have to adjust.

The real question is, will Hamas give up on its ultimate goal, which is the end of Israel? If not they will find themselves in a very isolated world - if so, then it's time to deal.

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onthebottom

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bbking said:
I believe Abbas campaigned on limiting Hamas role an negotiating a treaty with Israel. Hamas was clearly on the other side of the debate and even called for a boycott of the election. As such how can you say that Israel and the US must include Hamas in any peace talks? I would say that Hamas has no say and that Abbas has the mandate. My concern remains - Hamas will try to limit Abbas authority.


bbk
Anyone see a parallel between Hamas and the Sunni uprising in Iraq?

In any case, Abbas has the authority, Hamas will try and impact any way they can. This is one of those pivotal moments when great progress can be made - I can only hope that the EU, US and the two parties take advantage of it.

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danmand

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onthebottom said:
Anyone see a parallel between Hamas and the Sunni uprising in Iraq?
I see a clear parallel , but likely not the same one you see. The people in Iraq are not accepting a foreign occupation force, no matter how noble its intentions (were in the beginning), and the palestinian people are not accepting the conditions offered to them by Israel (US).
 

onthebottom

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danmand said:
I see a clear parallel , but likely not the same one you see. The people in Iraq are not accepting a foreign occupation force, no matter how noble its intentions (were in the beginning), and the palestinian people are not accepting the conditions offered to them by Israel (US).
We see the same thing, I would only add that it's a minority.

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strange1

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danmand said:
I see a clear parallel , but likely not the same one you see. The people in Iraq are not accepting a foreign occupation force, no matter how noble its intentions (were in the beginning), and the palestinian people are not accepting the conditions offered to them by Israel (US).
That's a bit of a stretch. Besides the term "the people," whatever that means, the Iraqi people are composed of three distinct cultures; the Palestinians are culturaly a reasonably homogenous group, even including the christian Palestinian minority.

The political fighting in Iraq (IMHO) is because each of the three predominant cultural groups want to consolidate power. Having lived under a dictatorship, the concept of sharing power may not be in their political playbooks.

In the Palestinian territories, the internal conflict is still based on groups wanting power but:

- The differences are idealogical, not cultural

- The people as a whole have decided who to throw their support behind.

For the Palestinian state to advance, it has many internal issues to address with corruption being a key one. The longer they believe what danmand believes and blame someone else for their problems, the longer it will take for their society to function and be accepted by the rest of the world. Israel, having seen themselves under a state of seige, have not been willing to negotiate unless they are assured security. Simmilarly, they will not be ready to negotiate unless Abbas is able to stop the militants from attacking.
 

onthebottom

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bbking said:
BTW - Who said Arabs couldn't form a democracy because they have no history of such a Government. I think we forget what an accomplishment this election was in the middle east - my hats off to the Palestinian people.


bbk
I agree, there was (reported on PBS, don't know if it's true) no violence on election day - a sign perhaps that Hamas knows the Palestinian people want democracy.

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Cobra1

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bbking said:
BTW - Who said Arabs couldn't form a democracy because they have no history of such a Government. I think we forget what an accomplishment this election was in the middle east - my hats off to the Palestinian people.

bbk
Yes I think it was a great accomplishement with great turnout.

However I have my doubts about lasting democracy in many arab countries - it takes time - they really havent been out of colonial or super power control for long enough, or even had enough of the reforms from some of their wealthy elite controlling a majority of the assets for long enough to truly let democracy flower.


After covering the ME for more than 15 years, and living there also, I also have my doubts about Arab self determination. While the social anthropoligists may leap all over me, there is something in Arab culture that promotes person and individual consumption over nationalistic objectives. Things are carved up by tribal and religious division - that lead to corruption and poor societal improvment. The Palestianisn are a case in point - they have squandered billions of dollars. LEbanon also, although the civil war was about a shifting of power between religions, the result now is a power sharing agreement among the groups. And remarkably, instead of advancing the country as a very interesting an unique country that it is - the powersharing agreement is allowing all 5 parties to steal at will from the national treasure - which the various international agencies keep sustained with Saudi assistance also. Compare that to Isreal or the Us - there really is not any true Arab nationalism or individual nationa pride - its all peresonal consumption. Hence Bin Ladens attempt to take down the Saudi Royal family and its US protectors - cause those 3500 princes are robbing the country blind etc.

So democracy will take some time there - I agree its a good first step - but I have my reservations about the ability to install true democracy in many fo the regions. The only exception to that I ahve seen is that of Assad Sr in Syria, who really advnced his institutions and rights of the people for a time - Bassar will also once he can get more operating room from the old guard.
But it takes time.
 
Y

yychobbyist

I think we should all stand up and applaud Richard Gere for all his good work at helping turn out so many Palestinian voters. Would you please all stand with me....
 

onthebottom

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Shut up and act..... oh wait, never mind I'd rather have you do this.

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Y

yychobbyist

bbking said:
You should stick to what you do best - Cow Farking



bbk
I'll have you know I'm a much better woman farker than a cow farker. I know. Bessie told me I wasn't that good.
 

Peeping Tom

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bbk, this election has accomplished squat. It has zero significance unless Abbas can manage to obtain a monopoly on the use of violence - only then can any claim of self determination be taken seriously.

The real problem isn't that Mahometans have no history of democracy. None is needed - no point in reinventing the wheel after it's already done. The Whig texts were authored centuries ago, they have only to be read and applied. The real problem is in islam, that scourge of religions. It seems Mahometans, because of this pernicious influence, are incapable of conceptualizing the idea that the State is the final source of authority on earth - if one cannot grasp this, one isn't likely to be obey laws and other codes of civic conduct. Those who wind up under princes and dictators are culpable in themselves.

bbking said:
BTW - Who said Arabs couldn't form a democracy because they have no history of such a Government. I think we forget what an accomplishment this election was in the middle east - my hats off to the Palestinian people.
 

danmand

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bbking said:
As for no history - western society is just beginning it's third century hardly a long time in recorded history - I wouldn't hang you're hat on that.
Are we confusing century with millenium?
 

danmand

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So we are just generally dazed and confused, are we?
 

danmand

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bbking said:
As for no history - western society is just beginning it's third century hardly a long time in recorded history - I wouldn't hang you're hat on that.
It is generally acknowledged that western society has its origin in the hellenistic period.
 

danmand

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bbking said:
You know Dan I swear you type BS because you think it makes you important - your not, your an idiot and every post proves this.
Anybody - like you - that get a feeling of importance and superiority by posting his musings about Politics & International Affairs on an ESCORT REVIEW BOARD forum, should see a professional and have his medication upped a notch.
 
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