We shall stop violence in order to hold peaceful elections (Arafat successor Alert!)

Asia News ^ | November 20, 2004

[NYer]

Ramallah (AsiaNews) – The new chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation Mahmoud Abbas (aka Abu Mazen) vowed to crack down on armed groups operating in Palestinian areas in order to smooth the way for a January 9 presidential election to find a successor to Yasser Arafat. “We have to move on to a new era,” he said and “we will act firmly against anyone who violates the law so that we can make the citizens feel secure.”

Mr Abbas also urged Israel to halt “aggressive” military action in the West Bank and Gaza to help him restore order before the January 9 vote.

In the last few days, he has held talks with militant factions that have so far produced no agreement on suspending suicide bombings and other attacks on Israelis. Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad did give verbal assurances that they would work to restore internal order. Never the less, Mr Abbas’s leeway is still restricted by some militants’ accusations that he is a stooge of Israel for opposing the violence of the second intifada.

Speaking to AsiaNews about the post-Arafat era, Christian lawmaker Hanan Ashrawi said: “We are trying to fill the void left by the disappearance of a symbol like Arafat with political institutions and the rule of law”. Although the “current situation is critical with factions vying for power”, Ms Ashrawi said she was confident that there was a “widespread desire in the Palestinian body politic to build a democratic framework”. More importantly, once elected on January 9, the new Palestinian leader will be under the scrutiny of public opinion and judged based “on his performance”.

With regards to Israel, she rejects the use of terrorism. “We must,” she said, “take the political road in order to achieve a peaceful solution to the conflict based on negotiations in accordance with international law and justice.”

Speaking about the status of Palestinian Christians, who are increasingly marginalised by the rising tide of Islamic fundamentalism and affected by a high emigration rate, Ms Ashrawi said “Palestinian Christians are the oldest Christians in the world and their identity must be protected in Palestinian society.” (SQ - LF)

[America1stParty]

This 'pali' clanging sounds like yesterday's news.

Why all of a sudden are they capable of accomplishing this now?

It's now a multi-headed throng of terrorist thugs running the show.

This should be good.

[NYer]

“Palestinian Christians are the oldest Christians in the world and their identity must be protected in Palestinian society.”

As most of us realize, the Church began in the East. Our Lord lived and died and resurrected in the Holy Land. The Church spread from Jerusalem throughout the known world. Many people forget - or do not realize - that Christianity came from Judaism. As the church expanded beyond the realm of Judaism, it adapted itself to the people and cultures in which it took root. This cultural adaptation resulted in the 22 different rites of the Catholic Church today.

CATHOLIC RITES AND CHURCHES

Catholic Ping - please freepmail me if you want on/off this list

[konaice]

Yes, I forsee a few assinations in the near future as they form a circular fireing squad.


One question to any arab speakers: What the Hell does ABU mean?

[Diogenesis]

[anniegetyourgun]

He gets a chance. I just pray no Israelis die in the process of his losing this chance.

[NYer]

Ping!

[Steely Tom]

One question to any arab speakers: What the Hell does ABU mean?

I believe it means "father."

Not to be confused with the Hebrew word for father, which is pronounced "aba."

(steely)

[SALChamps03]

I wonder if it's a bad time to reiterate my point that there is no such thing as a Palestinian, since no nation of Palestine exists?

[konaice]

I'm pretty sure thats just so much splitting of hairs.

People are are what they want to be.

[SunkenCiv]

no agreement on suspending suicide bombings and other attacks on Israelis. Hamas, Fatah and Islamic Jihad did give verbal assurances that they would work to restore internal order. Never the less, Mr Abbas’s leeway is still restricted by some militants’ accusations that he is a stooge of Israel for opposing the violence of the second intifada.

Not to be a naysayer or anything...

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[SALChamps03]

No, people are not what they want to be. Referring to them as Palestinians is a complete distortion of the truth. Arabs were offered a Palestinian state when Israel was created. They refused. They were offered one again by Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak in 2000. They refused. Israel encompasses 10% of the original British Palestinian Mandate. The other 90% is controlled by Arab nations. The real issue is that Arabs cannot acknowledge Israel's right to exist. They do not want a Jewish state in The Middle East, so they resort to murder. The Arabs (NOT PALESTINIANS) deserve nothing.