Abbas: I have decided to call fresh elections in PA

[Scurrilous]

<snip>

"Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas announced Saturday that he has decided to call fresh elections as soon as possible, and said that he had the right to fire the Hamas-led government.

"This is a constitutional right. I can do it whenever I want," Abbas said, in a speech broadcast live on Palestine TV.

"The dismissal of the government is not like Mahmoud Zahar said, a recipe for civil war. They don't scare us."

Abbas' announcement was met by loud applause from hundreds of supporters.

"I... decided to call for early presidential and parliament elections," Abbas said, after outlining months of failed coalition talks with Hamas. "Let us return to the people, to hear their word, and let them be the judge."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/801729.html

[Eugene]

1. Link goes to a different story.

"Meshal calls for restraint, tells Hamas to avoid civil war"

[Scurrilous]

2. Fixed...

...thanks. :thumbsup:

[Scurrilous]

3. Hamas: Abbas declaration meaningless

Organization's officials say Palestinian president has no legal authority to dismantle government, although express willingness to return to negotiations

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3340727,00.html

<snip>

"Senior Hamas officials were quick to reject the Saturday declaration by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas announcing his intention to move up presidential and general elections in the Palestinian authority, calling the decision "meaningless".

According to Hamas leaders, Abbas has no legal authority to dismantle the government and, thus, his decision is illegal.

As such, Palestinian Foreign Minister Mahmoud al-Zahar said that Hamas rejected Abbas' decision regarding elections, but said the organization is ready to return to the negotiating table.

Nonetheless, al-Zahar emphasized that a return to negotiations "would not be based on recognizing Israel or the demands of the Quartet."

According to him, "we're not worried about elections, which I'm sure we would win. The question is what this promises once we win again – they won't want to move up elections again."

[Eugene]

4. Blair calls on world to rally behind Palestinian president (AFP)

Blair calls on world to rally behind Palestinian president

by Phil Hazlewood
34 minutes ago

CAIRO (AFP) - British Prime Minister
Tony Blair has urged the international community to throw all its weight
behind Mahmud Abbas after the Palestinian president called for early
elections.

"Mahmud Abbas's decision to call early elections is a strong sign that the
Palestinian president is seeking a way out of the deadlock in the peace
process," Blair said Saturday during a visit to Cairo.

-snip-

Blair, who was on the second leg of a regional tour aimed at rekindling the
moribund Israeli-Palestinian peace process, urged the international community
to get full square behind Abbas.

-snip-

Full article: http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20061216/wl_mideast_afp/mideastbritainegyptdiplomacy_061216154753

Also: U.S. welcomes call for early Palestinian elections - Reuters

[IndianaGreen]

14. We must oppose anything that Blair and Bush call for

They are war criminals, the both of them, and listening to them in the past have done us no good.

[The Magistrate]

5. Such An Election, Sir

Is more likely to be scored by the bullet than the ballot. Mr. Abbas is probably in his rights to do this thing, but there is no reason whatever to suspect Hamas will acquiesce in it. Should they not, only the gun can settle the question.

[davidinalameda]

6. since Hamas has been more than willing to use the bullet to accomplish their goals

they should welcome a nice little civil war

[The Magistrate]

7. Civil War Has Long Been In The Offing, My Friend

And all the parties there have long subscribed to Mao's dictum that political power flows out the barrel of a gun. My feelings in the matter are distinctly mixed. On the one hand, a real civil war among the people of Arab Palestine will be a bloody and squalid business. On the other hand, no real progress is possible until there is an authority that can command a monopoly on violence for political ends in that polity.

[Scurrilous]

8. PM to ministers: Don’t respond to Abbas' speech

Israel aware of Palestinian president's growing distress, decides not to interfere. Olmert asks ministers to remain silent for fear Israeli statement will weaken Abbas

http://www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3340830,00.html

<snip>

"Prime Minister Ehud Olmert on Saturday evening instructed all the government ministers not to respond in public to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas' declaration, explaining that it was an internal Palestinian issue.

Throughout the evening, several diplomatic sources close to Olmert said that the speech was a positive development. They added, however, that it was still to early to talk, as similar statements have been made before without any outcomes.

The same sources claimed that Abbas' remarks prove his willingness to advance toward a possibility of negotiations with Israel . They suggested, however, that Israel wait for practical moves.

A security source close to Defense Minister Amir Peretz said in light of Abbas' declaration that "this is an important internal decision by the Palestinians which creates a new chance to renounce terror."

The source added that "this may make it possible to return to the negotiation table and create a new reality in the region."

[IndianaGreen]

9. What do Abu Mazen (aka Abbas) and Iraq's al-Maliki have in common?

No one gives a fuck what they have to say!

[The Magistrate]

11. A Sizeable Body Of Men With Guns, Ma'am

Seem to give their loyalty to Mr. Abbas, and that is sufficient to insure some heed will be paid locally to his words....

[IndianaGreen]

12. The old terrorists of Al Fatah versus the terrorists of Hamas

Hamas will win only because 70% of Palestinians voted for them as a rejection of the corruption of Al Fatah.

What's with America and Israel rejecting democracy when elections results don't come out the way they wanted? We spout this bullshit about democracy, and then we threaten countries when things don't go our way.

They both deserve what they have reaped!

Abbas is an American puppet, and we know what fate all American puppets deserve.

[The Magistrate]

15. Old Mr. Shaw, Ma'am

Said "Elections differ from civil war only as the bloodless surrender of a force out-numbered in the field differs from Waterloo."

This is simply a recurrance to first principles, and was bound to happen sooner or later.

Boiler-plate to the contrary, it will be better for all concerned, save perhaps the quite disposable and un-necessary Hamas gun-men, should Mr. Abbas prevail. Rejectionism simply can no longer do for the people of Arab Palestine, and it is the root of Hamas.

[cali]

19. Actually,

recent polling demonstrates that Abbas' Fatah party is dead even with Hamas. In addition, any evidence that Mr. Abbas is an American puppet should be provided when making such a claim.

[The Magistrate]

21. His Course Is Supported By The U.S., Ma'am

And his Presidential Guard is receiving some asistance from us. In some quarters, that counts as puppetry. The idea of genuinely over-lapping interests frequently goes un-remarked....

[cali]

23. Yes.

And as you note, over-lapping interests are not something some wish to recognize. It's easier to see it as a puppet/puppeteer relationship. In any case, I fear that time has just about run out. I just posted an article about arms smuggling in Rafah. It's quite a revealing article. It might interest you.

[everythingsxen]

26. That doesn't seem entirely accurate....

In fact, it doesn't look at all accurate. According to the election results, even though Hamas won more seats, the number of people who actually voted for Hamas was only 30,000 more than Fatah, and that isn't counting other parties...

So it was actually a relatively close race, overall, nationwide.

[Eugene]

10. AP: Abbas to Meet With Election Commission (to set election date)

Abbas to Meet With Election Commission


Sunday December 17, 2006 9:01 AM

AP Photo JRL141

RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - President Mahmoud Abbas was meeting
Sunday with officials from the Palestinian Central Election
Commission, the first step toward holding early elections.

Abbas had announced Saturday that he is calling new presidential and
legislative elections, in a dramatic challenge to the ruling Hamas.

Abbas is to set the date by presidential decree after hearing from the
commission on how much time it needs to prepare. His office said he was
meeting the commission members Sunday.

His aides had said he would hold the meeting within a week. Abbas' fast
pace indicated he is determined to move ahead with the balloting, even
though Hamas has threatened to block the vote.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/worldlatest/story/0,,-6286285,00.html

[IndianaGreen]

13. Abbas, the new paid American tyrant, is now ruling by decree!

What a pathetic man to sleep with the enemies of his own people!

[The Magistrate]

16. He Probably Has The Authority To Do This, Ma'am

In most parliamentary systems, the head of state, which the office he holds, may dissolve the representative body and order new elections for a new session of it. There are always conditions spelled out, of course, but doubtless someone has found a lne f print that looks well enough for the purpose.

If persons who oppose rejectionist miltants leadng the people of Arab Palestine on a course guaranteed to continmue nad multiply disaster are to be assailed as collaborators, puppets, etc., you might as well pack in any hope you may have for betterment of that people's condition, and realization of their legitimate aspirations in any degree. They will not come to pass, if it is the line you are pressing here that prevails.

[cali]

17. Vacuous sloganeering

It's far more complex than you make it out to be. Abbas' Fatah party, in recent polling, is even with Hamas. Clearly he's more than an American puppet.

[The Magistrate]

18. Even If He was A Puppet, Ma'am

It would not affect the fact that the course Hamas is set on is one of ultimate disater for the people of Arab Palestine, and the course Mr. Abbas promises is one that offers some hope of a reasonably acceptable outcome for that people.

[cali]

20. Quite true. n/t

[IndianaGreen]

22. So much for American support of democratic elections

Why don't we just tell people who we want?

Which sick, perverted God appointed us his chosen people to rule the world?

We are no better than all the empires that preceded us, and deserve the same fate!

[The Magistrate]

24. Belief That The People Should Rule, Ma'am

Does not entail conviction they will always exercise their rule wisely and well: indeed, to hold that view would be to fly in the face of a good deal of history and personal experience. Nor is anyone else required to approve of the decisions a people may make by democratic means, and no one is required to have friendly and supportive dealings with any government simply because it was elected by a people. Foreign governments are free to break off diplomatic relations, and cease trade, economic assistance, and what have you, with a government they view with hostility for whatever reason, and regardless of how it came to power.

You have not even established that Mr. Abbas is embarked on a course he does not have constitutional authority to take, let alone that he is doing it solely at the behest of any foreign power.

[IndianaGreen]

25. Abbas has no more authority to call for an election than Bush does to cancel the '06

election. If it weren't for the Israeli propaganda and pernicious influence on American politics, and if this were taking place anywhere else but in occupied Palestine, American politicians would be accusing Abbas of an undemocratic power grab and voter disenfranchisement.

BTW, Hamas is going to boycott these phoney elections that Abbas and his Washington masters want.

Poll call a 'risky political move'

BY Matthew Price
BBC News, Ramallah

This is the first time that Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas has publicly called for fresh parliamentary and presidential elections.

As president, however, Mr Abbas does not have authority to order the new elections and he has referred the matter to the Palestinian election commission to see whether or not they can be held.

That will become clearer in the coming days and weeks.

But Mr Abbas' call for elections is a dangerous political move.

It comes at a time when inter-factional violence between his own Fatah faction and Hamas has left several Palestinians dead in Gaza and the West Bank.

A senior Hamas leader rejected Mr Abbas's call for early elections, saying that would be tantamount to a coup.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/6186033.stm

[everythingsxen]

27. Since you seem to have all the answers, please...

regail us with your solution to help the Palestinians. You have spewed more than enough venom and vitriol in this thread, now perhaps you have some sort of actual constructive ideas?

As it is, right now, Palestine has a terrorist organization for a government. Hamas will never work with Israel and their stated goal is Israel's destruction. At least if Abbas calls for new elections, perhaps a government will be elected that is willing to talk.

[The Magistrate]

28. The Clarafication Is Appreciated, Ma'am

The constitutional structure of the Palestine Authority is not within my detailed range of knowledge, and some of my comments were based on general patterns observed within parliamentary forms. If he does not have the authority to call new elections, than his call for them is meaningless, save as it may serve as sabre-rattling in the continuing fight between Fatah and Hamas. In that struggle, though, it is very much in the interests of the people of Arab Palestine that Fatah win, and no good purpose is served either by pretending that struggle is a creation fo foreign influences, or that dominance of the P.A. government by Hamas has been anything but a disaster for the people of Arab Palestine, and promises only worse for them the longer it continues.