U.S. intelligence report projects possible collapse of Palestinian Authority
WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community has raised the prospect
of the collapse of Fatah and the Palestinian Authority.
The report, titled "Annual Threat Assessment of the
Intelligence Community," said Hamas, in the aftermath of its war with Israel
in early 2009, has intensified the threat to the PA.
The report warned that both Fatah and the PA were split
over such issues as a successor to chairman Mahmoud Abbas as well as
government reforms. The report said Hamas planned to exploit the divisions
within Fatah and could challenge the PA over the next year.
"Disagreement between Fatah and Hamas about a range of issues such as
the timing of national elections and formation of a unity government could
lead Hamas to challenge the legitimacy of Abbas's government and will remain
obstacles to Fatah-Hamas reconciliation," the report said.
The PA has also been threatened by the increasing divisions within the
ruling Fatah movement in the West Bank, Middle East Newsline reported. The report said the battle between
Fatah's old guard and younger members has blocked plans to convene the
movement. Abbas's term had been scheduled to expire in January 2009.
"These internal conflicts threaten to fracture the party and damage its
prospects in the run-up to PA presidential and legislative elections in 2009
or early 2010," the report said. "There is no consensus among Fatah
officials regarding a replacement for President Abbas, who has not groomed a
successor, and no potential leader has gained Fatah's full support."
The Hamas threat has been enhanced by Iranian financing, training and
weapons since 2006.
"Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are engaged in an intense
competition, with both sides seeking to emerge from the conflict in a
stronger political position, but
relations between the two organizations have been further embittered by the
crisis," the report said.