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Abbas. Planning exit strategy?
Photo: AFP
Avigdor Lieberman
Photo: Gil Yohanan

Foreign Ministry: Abbas tougher than Arafat

Paper written by Lieberman advisor says Palestinian president subjugating PA's resources, peace talks to guarantee place in history. 'Abbas is not a peace partner,' author claims

An internal document drafted by an aide to Foreign Minister Avigdor Lieberman claims Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is not a peace partner. "He subjugates Palestinian interests in order to guarantee his place in history," the document says.

 

The paper was forwarded to Lieberman and senior officials at the Ministry and is based on discussions with Israeli senior officials as well as classified materials and public statements. It is a political analysis of Abbas's "exit strategy."

 

According to the paper, "Abbas has decided not to run for Palestinian Authority chairman in the next elections, primarily following developments in the Arab world, and is focusing on building his heritage by leaving 'on his own accord' and not being ousted like Mubarak."

 

Lieberman's aide claims this decision dramatically affects his conduct towards Israel and the chances for progress in peace talks.

 

"It can be clearly stated that Abu Mazen (Abbas) is not a partner to advancing the political process, but quite the opposite," the paper concludes. "Abu Mazen is subjugating the PA's interests and resources as well as the political process to his and his family's wellbeing as well as his place in history."

 

The analysis suggests that Abbas was deeply affected by recent upheavals in the Middle East. "Recent events in the Arab world have led Abu Mazen to adopt an exit strategy," the paper says.

 

Place in history

It is estimated that Abbas intends to move to Jordan or one of the Gulf states after his retirement. He is now trying to create an image of a respected statesman and the Palestinian state's "spiritual father," Lieberman's advisor claims.

 

"This strategy forces him on the one hand to pacify the 'Arab wing' and bring the conflict with Israel to the maximum, in order to be remembered as the person who paved the way for a Palestinian state in spite of Israel's opposition.

 

"On the other hand he must please the 'Western wing' in order to gain as much support from Western states in September and be welcomed in the world's capitals after his retirement."

 

The paper also states that the Fatah-Hamas reconciliation is one of Abbas's strategies to pacify the "Arab wing" but that Hamas compromised his plans towards the West by declaring Osama bin Laden a "holy warrior."

 

According to the document, Hamas has been making it difficult on Abbas to walk that fine trying to please both sides.

 

"Establishing a national unity government with Hamas, without following through on the Quartet's guidelines, might hinder Abu Mazen's attempt to appease the west. Europe's insistence to keep (Salam) Fayyad as prime minster, counting on him to build state institutions and manage finances, makes it hard to finalize the reconciliation while pacifying the west – without which the 'exit strategy' will not be completed."

 

Lieberman's advisor believes Abbas wishes to brand himself as the spiritual father of the Palestinian nation, overtaking the roll of Former Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasser Arafat.

 

"Contrary to Arafat, Abu Mazen has been demonstrating a lack of willingness to compromise and even tougher stances than those presented by Arafat, all part of his attempt to 'compensate' for relinquishing an armed battle. This is apparent in issues of refugees, territorial swaps, settlements and Jewish construction in Jerusalem."

 

'September won't change a thing'

Meanwhile the Foreign Ministry is hard at work writing a report dealing with the aftermath of the expected Palestinian state declaration in the United Nations in September.

 

While the report's content is kept under wraps, the political analysis hints at how the move is viewed by the ministry.

 

According to the analysis, Abbas's actions to push for a unilateral recognition of a Palestinian state "create very high hopes among Palestinians ahead of September, which might cause a 'blowout' when the Palestinians come to realize a day later their reality hasn't really changed and even worsened in certain aspects."

 

The foreign minister's political advisor is not optimistic. "Abu Mazen is operating along this line with determination, and will continue to do so. He's not interested in compromises or in negotiations with Israel, even though he estimated that a one-sided UN resolution will bring about a Palestinian-Israeli conflict, diminishing the chances of an actual Palestinian state, or at least postponing it for a long while."

 

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פרסום ראשון: 05.22.11, 11:29
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