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Abu Mazen set to take reins as Palestinian Prime Minister


AM Archive - Tuesday, 11 March , 2003  08:24:19

Reporter: Peter Cave

LINDA MOTTRAM: After years waiting behind Yasser Arafat as the number two man in the PLO, Mahmoud Abbas this morning is watching a process that could at last deliver him real power over the Palestinian future.

Abbas is also known by his nomme de guerre, Abu Mazen and he is almost certain to fill the newly created position of Prime Minister in the Palestinian Authority.

It has been approved by the Palestinian Parliament, which is now debating what powers will go with the office.

But whether Abu Mazen, with his stance favouring negotiation over conflict, finally says yes, depends on how just how much authority the position is given.

Foreign Affairs Editor, Peter Cave reports from the home of the Palestinian Parliament, Ramallah.

PETER CAVE: The reason that there is to be a Palestinian Prime Minister is that Israel and the United States have ruled out Yasser Arafat as a partner in any peace negotiations.

Israel makes no bones about the fact that they regard Mr Arafat, the elected leader for the Palestinian people, as a terrorist and that they won't talk to him. They want the new Prime Minister to effectively take over the reins of power and push Mr Arafat into the background as a figure head.

Abu Mazen has already had secret meetings with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon, who says that he is a man he can work with.

Mr Sharon's new Foreign Minister is Silvan Shalom.

SILVAN SHALOM: The real question is if Abu Mazen will have the authority, if he will stop the terror, stop the incitement.

PETER CAVE: But it has become clear that Mr Arafat has no intention of relinquishing entirely the almost unchecked power that he's always had in the Palestinian Authority.

Chief Palestinian Negotiator, Saeb Erekat.

SAEB EREKAT: Believe me, the Prime Minister's office is part of the reform and he will be empowered, including with the Prime Minister and he will assist and compliment President Arafat, and not to replace President Arafat.

PETER CAVE: The Parliament has already granted the new Prime Minister's office authority over public order and security but at the same time it has left control of the armed forces in the hands of Yasser Arafat. It's also given Mr Arafat final authority to sack the Prime Minister.

Then there's the question of what authority the new Prime Minister will be able to exert over suicide bombers from groups like Hamas, which has already said it will not recognise a Palestinian Prime Minister forced on Palestine by the United States, Europe and Israel.

Nevertheless, Saeb Erekat remains confident that if Israel plays its part, peace negotiations can be restarted.

This is Peter Cave reporting from Ramallah.