Abu Mazen Reaffirms Importance of Committing to National Security and People's Interests
RAMALLAH, Palestine, January 18, 2005 (IPC + Agencies) - - President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) asserted that everybody
should re-evaluate and assess their methods based on the facts and the requirements to maintain national security and
people's interests.
Palestine National Authority Cabinet.
Abu Mazen's remarks came during a joint meeting at the presidential premises in Ramallah City, which included the
Council of Ministers and the National Security Council; the first to be headed by Abu Mazen since he officially took
office last Saturday.
Security sources reported that Abu Mazen will be heading to Gaza Strip today to start a the dialogue with Palestinian
factions, and gave instructions to the security services to maintain the security situation and ensure safety to the
civilians.
Among the discussed procedures to maintain security is to deploy Palestinian security officers at major hotspots in Gaza
Strip, and to discuss a deal to absorb Al Aqsa Martyrs Brigades (Fateh movement's military wing) into the different
security services. Senior officials said such procedures will be declared in due time.
Azzam Al Ahmad, the Minister of Communications and Information Technology, told Al Ayyam newspaper that President Abbas
has decided to leave to Gaza early in order to kick off the inter-Palestinian dialogue. "President Abbas will also
supervise the situation with the security services in order to ensure that it will perform its duties fully," Al Ahmad
said.
The Minister also stressed that in order for these procedures to succeed, the Israeli occupation must at least approve
to a mutual ceasefire and stop extrajudicial executions that gives an excuse for a retaliation by Palestinian factions,
disclosing that another plan for the West Bank is also being formed to maintain security in case of an Israeli
withdrawal.
He also added that Abbas didn't specify a period for his stay in Gaza Strip, but considered that if Israel agrees to a
mutual ceasefire, the Palestinian factions will agree to the proposed program. He added, "I'm sure that if there were
Israeli confirmations to stop the Palestinian factions will agree, but we question Sharon's intentions."
On the other hand, the Israeli government described the procedures as "a minor step", and that it was not enough to
resume the contacts they broke with President Abbas after six Israeli soldiers were killed in an attack on a military
post near Karni commercial crossing, east of Gaza Strip.
"Abu Mazen and the government have gave specific instructions to the security services' leaders to prevent all forms of
violence, including the launching of attacks against Israelis," Qaddoura Fares, Minister of State, told Reuters news
agency.
The Council of Ministers also welcomed the calls made yesterday by PLO Executive Committee to stop military actions that
"damage the national interests and provide excuses for the Israeli standpoint that wants to continue the destabilization
of the Palestinian situation."
At the same context, the Council of Ministers called on the Palestinian factions to exert extra efforts to succeed the
inter-Palestinian dialogue and reach a ceasefire, which will enable the Palestinian security services from fulfilling
their tasks in maintaining security and safety.
Israeli Operations
Furthermore, Israeli forces have been reportedly preparing to launch an unprecedented military campaign in Gaza Strip,
as reported by Haaretz newspaper.
The Israeli newspaper quoted a high-ranking Israeli military officer in its online edition today as saying that Israel
will launch an unprecedented campaign in Gaza Strip, if the Palestinian National Authority continued "abstaining" from
cracking down on militant Palestinian factions.
Also, the Yedioth Ahronoth newspaper also added today that the Israeli Chief of Staffs, Moshe Yaalon, and a number of
high-ranking military officials will present several military plans before the Prime Minister Ariel Sharon "to stop
launching 'Qassam' rockets", pointing out that one of these plans details a "rolling campaign" to take over large areas
of Gaza Strip.
The newspaper continued by reporting that Sharon intended to "deepen" his involvement in the decision-making process
with regards to the Israeli military operations.