Sunday, Jan 09, 2005
Sunday, Jan 09, 2005 |
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HEBRON (WEST BANK), JAN. 8. Sunday's election to find a successor to Yasser Arafat has the potential to usher in the Arab world's first genuine democracy — a peaceful transfer of power that will augur well for the dream of a Palestinian state. But four years of bloody conflict with Israel have deflated expectations. Many say they will settle for simpler achievements: jobs, clean government, an end to ubiquitous Israeli roadblocks. ``We don't need theatre,'' said 68-year-old Saud Jaradat, a village elder in Sair, near Hebron, referring to Arafat's four decades of roller-coaster leadership. ``It's time to start solving our problems.'' At campaign rallies from Gaza to Hebron, Mahmoud Abbas has been greeted with exuberant shows of support not unlike the emotional farewell Palestinians gave Arafat at his funeral two months ago.
Abbas tipped to win
Mr. Abbas has begun to chip away at his gray image — alarming some Israelis with a public embrace of militants but gaining new stature among Palestinians whose backing he'll need for any future peace deal. With polls showing Mr. Abbas with more than double the support of his nearest rival, democracy activist Mustafa Barghouti, the election is more or less a foregone conclusion. The question is not if Mr. Abbas will win, but by how much — and the answer will have great impact on his ability to rein in militants and talk peace with Israel. Mahdi Abdul Hadi, chairman of the Palestinian Academic Society, said the candidate will need 65 per cent of the vote to get the mandate he needs. ``Otherwise, the Israelis will not respect your position and they will keep you weak and (the militant group) Hamas wants you to be weak in order to bargain,'' he said. Polls open at 7 a.m. (local time) on Sunday and close 12 hours later, with 1.8 million Palestinians eligible to vote. Final results are expected in the night from Sunday to Monday.
— AP
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