Sunday, Jan 16, 2005
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By Atul Aneja
MANAMA, JAN. 15. The Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, was sworn in as the Palestinian Authority President today, amid first signs of friction with Israel following a militant attack on Thursday. During his inaugural address, Mr. Abbas called for a ceasefire and implementation of the "road map" that is meant to bring lasting peace between Palestinians and Israelis. Advocating revival of peace talks, he said: "Our hand is extended toward an Israeli partner for making peace."
"Stick to commitments"
In his speech before members of the Palestinian Parliament, Mr. Abbas stressed it was important for both sides to abide by their commitments in order to make progress. "Partnership cannot be achieved by dictation, and peace cannot be reached by partial or interim solutions," he observed. Mr. Abbas called on Israel to cease "assassinations, closures, confiscation of lands, and the building of the separation fence." The new President condemned Israeli attacks as well as its violent response by militants. "We condemn these actions, whether by the Israeli occupation forces or the reactions of some Palestinian factions. This does not help bring about the calm needed to enable a credible, serious peace process. We are seeking a mutual ceasefire to end this vicious circle." As the ceremony began, there were reports that the Israeli army had killed seven Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. Mr. Abbas' inauguration came a day after Israel broke off all contacts with the Palestinians following a militant strike at a border crossing point, in which six Israelis were killed. The militant groups, Hamas, Popular Resistance Committees and the Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigade took joint responsibility for the strike. Gaza isolated In response to the attack, Israel has isolated Gaza by closing two major crossing points. A third crossing point near the southern town of Rafah, close to the Egyptian border, had been closed last month. Consequently, the flow of good and humanitarian supplies to Gaza has now been largely restricted. Mr. Abbas, on his part, has been unhappy with the Israeli decision, a group of Israeli lawmakers of Arab origin who met him on Friday said. Talab al-Sana, who was part of the group, told Israel Army Radio that Mr. Abbas was upset about Israel holding him responsible for attacks, even before he had been sworn in as President. No crackdown Mr. Abbas also reiterated that he had no intention of launching a crackdown against militant groups. Instead, he would seek their commitment for restraint through dialogue. Analysts point out that Mr. Abbas could offer the groups, especially Hamas, a say in decision-making. He also explained his disposition towards armed militants in a letter sent to key Arab leaders. The Palestinian Foreign Minister, Nabeel Shaath, who sent the letters in Mr. Abbas' name said, "Our commitment to the cease-fire will be based on a national Palestinian agreement." Responding to the attacks, the Hamas leader in the West Bank, Hassan Yousef, said the group was ready to suspend attacks as part of a deal with Mr. Abbas. But Hamas had the freedom of action before an agreement was reached, he said.
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