Posted on 03/25/2006 3:44:03 PM PST by NormsRevenge
RAMALLAH, West Bank - Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas issued a thinly veiled threat Saturday to bring down Hamas' new government if it does not change its violent ways.
The tough talk came just two days before designated Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh is to present his proposed Cabinet to parliament for approval and three days before the Israelis are to hold elections.
Western powers, while reluctant to create a humanitarian crisis, have threatened to cut hundreds of millions of dollars of aid if Hamas does not recognize Israel, renounce violence and accept past peace agreements between Israel and the Palestinians.
Abbas, who would like to negotiate a final peace deal with Israel, expressed his dissatisfaction with Hamas' political program in a letter to Haniyeh. He suggested it was liable to isolate the Palestinian people and give Israel an excuse to unilaterally impose borders.
Haniyeh said Hamas was not going to create a political crisis over Abbas' letter.
"All political differences between the presidency and the government will be resolved through dialogue," he told reporters in Gaza City after meeting with outgoing Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia to discuss the handover.
He did not mention possible modifications to Hamas' program, which does not acknowledge a 1988 unilateral Palestinian declaration of independence that included a recognition of Israel.
Haniyeh also said his Cabinet would be sworn in by Wednesday, and not Thursday, as Palestinian officials had said earlier.
Abbas' office e-mailed a translation of the letter to The Associated Press. He urged Hamas to revise its policies, then wrapped up the letter by warning: "I will exercise my mandate and authority where and when needed to protect the higher interests of the Palestinian people."
Abbas did not elaborate, but the Palestinians' de facto constitution empowers the president to sack the prime minister and disband the government. Abbas is not expected to rush into such a step because it would provoke a crisis with Hamas, which swept Jan. 25 Palestinian legislative elections.
Abbas, who was in Sudan on Saturday for an Arab summit, was elected separately last year to a four year-term. He can force Hamas to modify its program, but he told Haniyeh he would not exercise that authority.
The president wields considerable power but cannot impose his own Cabinet lineup on Hamas because it controls an absolute majority in parliament.
Hamas' charter calls for Israel's destruction and its followers killed hundreds of Israelis in four years of suicide attacks. But the group suspended the attacks last year under a truce Abbas brokered last year. Although it has largely adhered to the truce, it has rejected Western calls to abandon violence and join the peace process.
Earlier in the day, the British newspaper The Guardian, which obtained an early copy of the letter, cited unidentified sources close to Abbas as saying the letter was meant to "draw the battle lines" with Hamas, but also to warn Israel and the West that threats to sever aid and ties would likely strengthen the Islamist party.
The international financial pressure Abbas fears caused an independent Christian lawmaker to back down on his decision to join Hamas' Cabinet, relatives said Saturday.
Tannas Abu Aita of the West Bank town of Bethlehem has decided not to accept the post of tourism minister after European tour operators told him they would not patronize his hotels and souvenir shops if he joined Hamas' government, family members said. He also was afraid he would be stripped of his U.S. visa.
___
Associated Press correspondent Sarah El Deeb contributed to this report from Gaza City.
Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian Prime Minister designate arrives for a meeting with the outgoing Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia, in Gaza City, Saturday, March. 25, 2006. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hinted on Saturday that he was prepared to bring down Hamas' incoming government if its militant anti-Israel policies harm Palestinian interests. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
The nitty is getting down to the gritty.. or may soon.
Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian Prime Minister designate answers a reporter's question as outgoing Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia,left. looks on following their meeeting in Gaza City, Saturday, March. 25, 2006. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hinted on Saturday that he was prepared to bring down Hamas' incoming government if its militant anti-Israel policies harm Palestinian interests. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Ismail Haniyeh, the Palestinian Prime Minister designate, right, waves, as outgoing Prime Minister Ahmed Qureia,bottom left, watches prior to their meeting in Gaza City, Saturday, March. 25, 2006. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas hinted on Saturday that he was prepared to bring down Hamas' incoming government if its militant anti-Israel policies harm Palestinian interests. (AP Photo/Khalil Hamra)
Sounds like Civil War,....just not in Iraq!
They definitely haven't offered to lay down arms like the IRA finally did recently.
Abbas is sticking it out there, we'll see how long 'it' lasts considering their charged political climate and some of the players involved in the struggle.
Abbas = short life expectancy
re that picture:
I see a man with hands with no evidence of labor. No callus. Such a poor poor downtrodden and jew oppressed fella he is huh?
Sheesh.
Which does actually sound like a viable solution...
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He'll crack down on Hamas the same way he did pre-election, in the westeren press. As did Arafat.
Abbas is a dead man. He just doesn't know it, yet. Hamas will pull the trigger and try to frame the Israelis. Hope Israel offers him covert help real soon. Otherwise, the Pali situation will explode into a bloody war.
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