Abbas to disarm resistance groups

[barb162]

Wednesday 14 September 2005, 11:52 Makka Time, 8:52 GMT

Mahmoud Abbas will begin with the Fatah's armed wing



Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas plans to disarm resistance fighters in the near future, beginning with his own Fatah group's armed wing, a top Abbas aide has said.


Although the aide, Rafiq Husseini, provided no timetable, it was the first indication that Abbas would begin to deal with the issue.

Israel and the US have long demanded Abbas disarm resistance groups, especially Hamas and Islamic Jihad, as he is obligated to do under the terms of the internationally backed road map peace plan.

snip
"There is no longer an Israeli presence in Gaza, so bearing arms in the streets and the existence of militias are not justified. After January, Hamas will no longer need its weapons either," Husseini added.

snip
AP
http://english.aljazeera.net/NR/exeres/CA5B0E14-B8BC-4070-9091-5F3EB98C2EE3.htm


( What do weapons have to do with elections in January or any elections. Why not disarm the militants now?)

[Andromeda]

1. I'll believe it when I see it.

Israel has always been the scapegoat, giving the Islamic Jihad an excuse for their destructive behavior, so what excuse are they using now for their armed insurrection?

This goes beyond mere civil disobedience. As well-meaning as Abbas is I believe he is not capable of getting Hamas and all resistance fighters under control.

They will not be satisfied until Israel has been totally and completely destroyed as they have repeatedly said.

This doesn't bode well for the peace process and my sympathy is with Palestinians who truly want peaceful co-existence with Israel and whose actions have demonstrated that.

[barb162]

2. Disarming the militants always seems to be just a few months

off in the future.