In a statement released on Aug. 2, Abdul Khader stressed that his call
for an Iranian alliance concerned Fatah rather than the Western-financed PA, Middle East Newsline reported.
The statement was issued on the eve of
the movement's first general conference in 20 years and expected to result
in elections for the Fatah leadership.
Palestinian sources said Abdul Khader's statement marked a trend within
Fatah and the PA for an alliance with Iran and its allies. They said the PA
has quietly renewed a dialogue with the Teheran regime that included
relations with the rival Hamas, which controls the Gaza Strip.
In mid-July, PA minister and chief negotiator Saeb Erekat met Iranian
Foreign Minister Manouchehr Mottaki in the first such public session between
the two sides since at least 2004. Officials said additional
meetings would be held between representatives of the PA and Iran.
In his statement, Abdul Khader, who announced his resignation from the
PA Cabinet in July, urged Fatah to endorse an alliance with Iran. He said
Teheran, despite relations with Hamas, continues to regard Fatah as the
leader of the Palestinian people.
Officials said Abdul Khader's call was meant to bolster the prospects of
a successful Fatah general conference, expected to be attended by 2,260
delegates. They said the PA was urging Iran to press Hamas to release up to
450 delegates to attend the Fatah conference, scheduled to begin on Aug. 4
in Bethlehem. Abdul Khader was expected to run for a seat on the 120-member
Fatah Revolutionary Council.
For its part, Hamas has demanded the release of up to 1,000 detainees in
PA prisons in the West Bank. Officials said the PA was considering the
release of 200 Hamas prisoners.
