The Hindu : International : Abbas' nomination gains currency

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Wednesday, Nov 24, 2004

International

International

Abbas' nomination gains currency

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, NOV. 23. The main Palestinian political party, Fatah, has taken the first major step to nominate Mahmoud Abbas as its candidate for the presidential elections scheduled for January 9. On Monday night, the Fatah's 14-member Central Committee — the most powerful political body inside the umbrella organisation, proposed Mr. Abbas' candidature for the post.

Internal discussions

All the committee members, except one, came as part of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's team from Tunis, which arrived in Gaza in 1994. While the Central Committee has declared its intent, there have been considerable internal discussions about the possible candidature of Marwan Barghouti, a popular leader of Fatah for the post of President. Unlike the appointed senior leaders, Mr. Barghouti is much younger. Besides, he has lived in the Palestinian territories all his life. Consequently, his appeal at the grassroots level, especially among the younger lot of Fatah members, who have lived throughout their life inside the West bank and Gaza, is considerable. A Palestinian official, who did not wish to be named, told The Hindu that despite his popularity, it was unlikely that Mr. Barghouti, who is at present in an Israeli jail, would be interested in standing for elections at this stage.

"Mr. Barghouti has sufficient maturity and he is well aware that if he stakes a claim, it could sow dissensions in the Fatah on generational lines." He, however, pointed out that Mr. Barghouti was likely to emerge as a key leader in the future. "Everyone knows that Mr. Barghouti's time will come later."

Plenary meet soon

Expressing similar views, the Palestinian Foreign Minister, Nabil Shaath, expressed confidence that Mr. Barghouti would not contest the Central Committee's decision. "I think (Mr.) Marwan Barghouti is a disciplined man. He is committed to the decisions of Fatah," Mr. Shaath said. "(Mr.) Marwan (Barghouti) will have an important role in the future." The Committee's decision would now go the Revolutionary Council — a 110-member body that has a majority of the younger Fatah members. Heated discussions inside the Council are likely, but an endorsement of Mr. Abbas' candidature is, nevertheless, expected.

Palestinian sources said a third `plenary' meeting of around 250 Fatah members is likely to take place on November 27. It would include leaders at the district level, the Fatah group in Parliament, apart from members of the Revolutionary Council and the Central Committee. By December 1, Fatah was expected to finally announce its presidential candidate based on consensus.

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