The Palestinian Authority has sent a message to the
United States that ruled out any immediate reform or restructuring of
Palestinian security agencies.
U.S. and Palestinian officials said the message sent by PA Chairman
Mahmoud Abbas to President George Bush emphasized the Palestinian commitment
to reform and democracy, Middle East Newsline reported. But officials said the message also envisioned a gradual
process of restructuring the security agencies and imposing control on
insurgency groups.
"He [Abbas] is taking into consideration the internal dynamics of the
Palestinian case," PA Labor Minister Hassan Abu Libdeh said. "If he is
pushed to take actions that are [premature] and that are not taken at the
right time while he is in fully control, he will lose control."
Abu Libdeh has been in Washington to prepare the agenda for Abbas's
meeting with Bush, scheduled for May 26. Abu Libdeh said Abbas would seek a
U.S. commitment to the Palestinians regarding both funds and political
support.
"We think this is a golden opportunity for American participation and to
send back Mr. Abbas with some agenda to work with," Abu Libdeh, told the
Washington Institute on May 19. "We are tired of promises and we are tired
of press releases that are showing more of the same. What is needed is more
commitment toward enabling Mahmoud Abbas to be able to do what he is doing."
Abu Libdeh did not elaborate. But officials later said Abbas has
requested additional U.S. funding as well as a commitment by Bush to
increase pressure on Israel for further withdrawals in the West Bank in late
2005. Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon plans to be in Washington during
Abbas's stay in the United States.
[On Saturday, the PA said it won a commitment from Hamas to honor the
ceasefire with Israel announced in February 2005. The commitment was
announced after a meeting between PA Interior Minister Nasser Yusef and
Hamas leaders.]
Officials said Abbas plans to invest much of his efforts to persuade
Congress that his regime intends to implement reforms. Congress has already
diverted to Israel much of the $200 million in U.S. aid to the PA.
"I believe the Palestinian side is ready to take the steps needed for
reaching the solution," Abu Libdeh said. "It is the absence of a third party
who has the will, resolve and determination to bring the two sides
together."
Abbas has also sought to suspend U.S. pressure on the PA for security
reform and the dismantling of insurgency groups. Officials said the reform
of the security agencies — apart from the appointments of new commanders —
would not take place in 2005.
"We will ask Bush for a clear American position over the implementation
of the road map after the withdrawal from Gaza," Abbas said on Saturday. "We
want two basic issues. We want him to give us political support and economic
support that was promised by Congress because our people are in dire need of
it."
