PA: Gov't to be announced next week, includes Hamas backer

[Gimel]

The new Palestinian cabinet will be jointly appointed by Palestinian Authority Yasser Arafat and his new premier, Ahmed Qureia, and will
include a Hamas supporter and a U.S. favorite, Palestinian officials said Thursday.

<snip>

The Fatah Central Committee began choosing candidates for 16 of 24 seats in the new cabinet, a procedure that gives Arafat virtual
control over the government.


<snip>

The appointment of Zabout could signal a slight softening of Hamas' refusal to be part of the Palestinian Authority, a product of interim
peace accords with Israel rejected by Hamas. Hamas officials could not be reached for comment Thursday.

<snip>

Fatah lawmaker Hatem Abdul-Qader said the ministerial list would be named by Arafat and Qureia, adding that the new government would
focus on "internal reform, national unity, on ending chaos in Palestinian areas and imposing the rule of law."

<snip>

Fatah is also trying to persuade Hamas to join
the government, so far without success, said
Abbas Zaki, a Fatah legislator.

Originally, Qureia wanted to form an emergency
cabinet with about eight ministers, but Fatah
and Arafat vetoed that.

<snip>


Yasser Arafat waving to supporters at his Ramallah headquarters Thursday. (Reuters)


http://www.haaretzdaily.com/hasen/spages/341423.html

They have the job of imposing the rule of Law. Just a beginning. I wish them success. Palestinians suffer from the lawless conditions. Not just road blocks and searches for armed terrorists.

[EFF BrandyWine]

1. I'm with you Gimel,

I wish them success also. Would that I should live long enough to see peace in that beleagured place.

[LastDemInIdaho]

2. Only if hamas condems targeting innocents and...

Hands over any and all hamas members that played a role in targeting innocents.

[rini]

3. It is

so sad to see same play, second act. The Palestinian people deserve a better producer/director than that Egyption weasel.

[cherryperry]

4. The past is prologue:

Maybe you think it's sad, rini, but it's to be expected.

Thank you all for a good thread!

[Gimel]

5. That would be..

really cleaning house. Unfortunately, Hamas wants all their militants freed by Israel. That's the opposite of what you propose.

Actually, the PA government will not have any Hamas activists, only a couple of Hamas supporters. Hamas refuses to join the government which also has supporters of US demands and the Road Map.

(see latest thread on that)