The Hindu : International : Abbas for a halt to violence

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Thursday, Dec 16, 2004

International

International

Abbas for a halt to violence

By Atul Aneja

MANAMA, DEC.15. The Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, has called on his people to halt fighting Israel to give negotiations a chance to succeed.

He said Palestinians had a legitimate right "to express their rejection of the occupation by popular and social means. Using weapons is harmful and has got to stop." Mr. Abbas made these observations in the London based pan-Arab daily Asharq al-Awsat. He is likely to win elections on January 9 for Palestinian Authority President.

Mr. Abbas said: "At this stage we are against militarising the uprising, because we want to negotiate. And because we want to negotiate, the atmosphere should be calm in preparation for political action."

Contesting his remarks, the spokesman of the militant group Hamas said, "I believe the consensus of the Palestinian people contradicts these statements." The Hamas killed five Israeli troops in an audacious attack on Sunday.

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