Jordan sees curtains for the Palestinian Authority; Negotiating with Hamas
AMMAN — Jordan has launched a dialogue with Hamas having projected the demise of
the Palestinian Authority.
Jordanian sources said the Hashemite kingdom has concluded that the PA
would deteriorate in 2009 and could even lose power to Hamas in the West
Bank. The sources said PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas would either resign or be
overthrown in a Hamas-inspired coup.
"Abbas is seen in the West Bank as an American puppet with no
credibility," a Jordanian source said. "When Hamas decides to act, Abbas
will either quickly resign or flee the West Bank."
The sources said the Jordanian assessment marked a key element in
Amman's decision to renew its dialogue (using intelligence officials) with Hamas. After a decade, Jordan
held two high-level meetings with Hamas in July and August 2008 in what
focused on security issues.
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The Hamas dialogue has alarmed the PA, Middle East Newsline reported. PA Interior Minister Abdul Razik
Yehya led a delegation for meetings with his Jordanian counterpart, Eid Al
Fayez, and intelligence chief Mohammed Dahabi for clarifications of the
dialogue with Hamas. Dahabi has been heading the talks with Hamas.
The sources said Jordan's intelligence community envisions a Hamas
offensive against the PA in 2009. They said Hamas, aided by Iran and Syria,
would press Abbas to resign as he had pledged in January 2009 and hold
elections by April.
"There is absolutely no love for Hamas within the Jordanian leadership,"
the source said. "But the feeling is that within a short time Hamas will be
the leading voice in the Palestinian community."
