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A DECISIVE MANDATE

IT WAS ALWAYS on the cards that the Fatah candidate, Mahmoud Abbas, would be elected President of the Palestinian Authority. None of the six rivals had the personal profile or the organisational backing to pose a viable challenge. The election had essentially become a no-contest when the one potentially serious opponent, Marwan Barghouti, withdrew from the fray. However, Mr. Abbas' victory was genuine and well-earned. As several hundred international observers have certified, the Palestinians demonstrated once again that they have built a healthy democratic tradition. Fatah's various factions and the parties that make up the Palestine Liberation Organisation did not throw their weight behind Mr. Abbas out of an undemocratic sense of subservience to a leader. They did so because they were alert to the risk a divisive contest could pose to the national unity that is of such critical importance at the current juncture. Mr. Abbas might never acquire Chairman Yasser Arafat's stature. However, the new President does have the political skills and the administrative experience to provide sagacious leadership at a crucial juncture in Palestinian history.

While the verdict does not come as a surprise, the size of the turnout at the polling stations and Mr. Abbas's margin of victory have significant implications for the future of Palestinian politics. A low turnout might have boosted the confidence and stock of the militant religious groups Hamas and Islamic Jihad, which boycotted the elections. There is no guarantee that Mr. Abbas will continue to retain the support he received at the polls. However, the new President will begin his term with the knowledge that his people have faith in his political approach. The militant groups are apparently adjusting to the reality since they have declared that they will soon hold discussions with the Palestinian Authority on their future course of action.

While Mr. Abbas did sporadically resort to fiery rhetoric during the campaign, his overall message was constructive and forward-looking. Of particular significance was his call for the winding up of an armed uprising that he believed had become counter-productive. However, the new President might not be able immediately to follow through on his intent to restart negotiations with Israel that have been stalled for the past four years. The most urgent task before Mr. Abbas is the revitalisation of the administrative machinery of the Palestinian Authority, which came close to collapse under the pressure of Israel's state terrorism. However, there is only so much the Palestinian Authority can do to restore peace in the region. Now that the Palestinians have voted overwhelmingly in favour of a leader who seeks a peaceful settlement, Israel has no excuse for persisting with its brutally oppressive policies. For a start, it must lift the siege imposed on Palestinian towns and villages.

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