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Abbas Ratifies the Amended Election Basic Law
International Press Center 8/14/2005
GAZA, Palestine, August14,2005 (IPC+Agencies)-- Rawhi Fatouh, President of Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) announced that president Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) decided to issue a decree setting next 21January 2006 a date for the parliamentary elections. On late Saturday, President Abbas ratified the amendments on the Election Basic Law. Article (36) of the revised election Basic Law reaffirmed that the duration of PNA presidency is four years and the President has the right to nominate himself for a second round but not to take the office for more than two consecutive rounds. According to the amended law, the article (47) stated that the Palestinian Legislative council voting has to be run every four years.
Date set for Palestinian election
BBC 8/15/2005
Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has announced the date for the Palestinian assembly elections - 21 January 2006. The date was announced following a meeting of the Palestine Liberation Organisation''s executive committee. The elections had originally been scheduled to take place last month, but were put off because of delays in rewriting the electoral law. The militant Hamas group said Mr Abbas was delaying the vote to give his Fatah movement time to shore up support. Hamas boycotted the first Palestinian legislative elections a decade ago, but has said it will field candidates this time. The group expected to make a strong showing. [end]
Abbas promises January elections
The Guardian 8/9/2005
The Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, today promised to hold long-delayed parliamentary elections in January and urged Palestinians to maintain calm during next week''s Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip. No date has yet been set for the elections - originally scheduled for July 17 - which were postponed when Mr Abbas argued he needed more time to resolve a dispute on electoral reform. He has been trying to involve militant factions in the elections to make them stakeholders in the peace process with Israel. However, it is widely believed he postponed the vote to shore up support for his corruption-plagued Fatah movement, which has lost ground to Hamas over recent months.
Abbas: Palestinian presidential elections in four years
International Middle East Media Center 8/9/2005
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas suggested that new elections for president and vice president be held in four years.Abbas'' suggestion came during his speech before a special session for the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Gaza, held on Tuesday. "The main issue we are meeting over today is to invent a new post for a vice-president, within the structure of the Palestinian Authority," said Abbas."I have suggested this before, and found no objections from the PLC before." "I will nominate some people to the PLC, and it is their choice at the end," Abbas said."I think there will be elections in four years where Palestinians will elect a president and a vice-president together."
Abbas Meeting with Hamas Leaders "Positive"
International Press Center 8/10/2005
GAZA, Palestine, August 10, 2005 (IPC+WAFA)-- President Mahmoud Abass met yesterday evening with a delegate of senior leaders of Hamas Movement in his presidential premises.The later described the meeting as "cordial" and "positive". The official spokesman of the presidency Nabil Abu-Rudenh dubbed the meeting as positive, where an atmosphere of cordiality prevailed. Through the meeting, they touched upon the planned Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and the West Bank. They also, discussed the issue of the coming legislative elections along with some other issues that are of no little account as for the Palestinians. The meeting, as Abu-Rudenah alluded, falls under the dialogue principle with all factions.
Abbas plans to nominate Palestinian vice president
ReliefWeb 8/9/2005
GAZA CITY, Aug 9 (AFP) - Palestinian Authority president Mahmud Abbas announced Tuesday that he wanted to nominate a vice president to ensure that there would be no power vacuum if he became incapacitated. Abbas told a session of the parliament in Gaza City that he would submit a name for the approval of MPs. Although prime minister Ahmed Qorei is the de-facto number two in the Palestinian Authority, the current rules stipulate that the speaker of parliament would take the helm in an emergency. "The aim of this idea is to ensure institutional continuity and avoid any possible turmoil," he said. The vice president would hold his post until the next presidential election which is not due to take place until January 2009.
Hamas to contest Palestinian election despite ''reservations''
ReliefWeb 8/9/2005
GAZA CITY, Aug 9 (AFP) - The radical Islamist movement Hamas said Tuesday it would take part in the next parliamentary elections despite reservations about a new January polling date announced by Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas. "We have reservations about the new date, but our decision in principle is to participate," Said Siam, one of the movement''s political leaders in its Gaza stronghold said. The elections, only the second since the creation of the Palestinian Authority, had originally been due to take place in the middle of last month. However Abbas postponed them amid continuing wrangles over the electoral law.
Palestinian poll set for January
BBC 8/9/2005
Palestinians will hold general elections in January, Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in a speech to the parliament in Gaza. The vote had been set for July, but it was postponed because of a dispute over electoral reform, officials said. Mr Abbas did not give an exact date for the poll, in a speech which also urged an end to anti-Israeli violence. Militant group Hamas has accused him of delaying elections in order to buy time to revive his Fatah party. Fatah has lost public support over its alleged corruption and what many Palestinians see as its mismanagement of the Palestinian Authority.
Abbas Pledges Palestinian Legislative Elections in January
Palestine Media Center 8/9/2005
President to Ratify Amendments to Basic and Elections Laws Soon -- Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas pledged on Tuesday to hold the parliamentary elections in January 2006 and confirmed that the government of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) has already proposed to the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) an amendment to the local election law to hold the 3rd and 4th rounds of municipal elections according to the “proportional” system. Speaking to the PLC in Gaza Abbas said he will issue a presidential decree setting the date for the legislative elections in January 2006, adding that the day has yet to be decided.
Abbas urges Palestinians to ensure order during Israel''s Gaza pullout
Daily Star 8/10/2005
President pledges to hold postponed legislative elections in January -- Mahmoud Abbas urged Palestinians to maintain calm during Israel''s upcoming withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and promised to hold long-overdue legislative elections in January. The Palestinian president told lawmakers a smooth Israeli withdrawal will boost the image of Palestinians in the world''s eyes. "There is a requirement to ensure the withdrawal takes place in a civilized manner," Abbas said. "We will be able to show the world we deserve independence and freedom." But he also cautioned against excessive celebrations because the pullout falls far short of the Palestinian goal of full independence in Gaza, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
Fateh central committee discusses withdrawal, insecurity
International Middle East Media Center 8/8/2005
The Fateh Central Committee met on Sunday evening to discuss preparations for ensuring security in the Palestinian areas during the Israeli withdrawal and other security issues in the Gaza Strip. The committee also said that Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas will soon announce the final date for legislative elections. Palestinian Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Information Nabil Shaath, said the Fateh central committee will hold continuous sessions to discuss the Palestinian preparations for the Israeli withdrawal and the elections. “The committee discussed all arrangements concerning withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and northern West Bank areas”, Shaath said.
President Abbas to Deliver Speech in PLC Tomorrow
WAFA 8/8/2005
(WAFA)- President Abbas will deliver an important speech in the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) on Tuesday morning. Spokesman of Presidency Nabil Abu Rdiena said Monday that President Abbas will deliver a speech on several issues regarding the Israeli withdrawal from the Gaza Strip and part of the West Bank. Abu Rdiena added that Abbas will also talk about the discussions on the issue of holding legislative elections.
PA''s Sha''ath: General elections to be held around Jan. 20
Ha''aretz 7/31/2005
Palestinian parliamentary elections, originally set for this summer, will be postponed till late January 2006, Palestinian Authority Information Minister Nabil Sha''ath said Sunday. Sha''ath said Palestinian Chairman Mahmoud Abbas would issue a decree on August 7 setting the official date, aiming for around January 20. He said that Palestinian factions would also meet this week to agree on the exact date. Abbas postponed the elections after three rounds of local balloting resulted in significant gains for the Islamic Hamas, which is contesting the parliamentary elections for the first time. Though Abbas cited technical reasons for the delay, it is seen as likely that his motive is to consolidate security and government reforms before facing the voters.
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Report of the Secretary-General - Assistance to the Palestinian people
ReliefWeb 6/27/2005
General Assembly, Sixtieth session -- Summary: The year under review was marked by the announcement of Israel’s disengagement plan from the Gaza Strip and parts of the northern West Bank, the death of Palestinian President Arafat, successful Palestinian presidential elections and cautious efforts towards a resumption of the peace process by both the Israelis and Palestinians, in spite of continued violence, which claimed lives on both sides. Internal and external closures and other measures taken by the Israeli military, although moderately alleviated towards the end of the reporting period, continued to create economic hardship for Palestinians and restrict the delivery of necessary emergency aid supplies.
Hamas, Islamic Jihad want a peacefull withdrawal
International Middle East Media Center 8/3/2005
The Islamic Resistance Movement, Hamas, said that it will cooperate with the Palestinian Authority and the Palestinian factions in order to turn the Gaza withdrawal into a national liberation, which serves as the initial point of liberation the rest of the occupied territories. Ismael Haniyya, one of Hamas prominent leaders, said during a press conference on Wednesday that this withdrawal will not be the last, “It will be followed by further withdrawals from the West Bank and Jerusalem”, he said. “The Gaza Strip will serve as the model which shows the capability of our people of protecting their unity and national interests." “The period which follows the withdrawal is very important, the elections will be an important event, Hamas is seeking a national agreement and understanding in order to avoid conflicts following the Israeli withdrawal.
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PCPO Poll: 82.9% of Palestinians Worried about Personal Security (PDF)
Palestine Media Center 8/4/2005
Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO) -- This survey aims at revealing the attitudes of the Palestinian People towards certain topics including the disarmament of the Palestinian refugees of Lebanon, the personal security of the Palestinian citizen, the probability of the emergence of a third political trend in the Palestinian territories, the legislative elections and Democracy....In the latest public opinion poll prepared by Dr. Nabil Kukali and published by the Palestinian Center for Public Opinion (PCPO): An overwhelming majority (82.9%) of the respondents are worried at different degrees about their personal security. A plurality (57.8%) of the participants but to various degrees support the emergence of a third political trend in the Palestinian territories.
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Arabs heed Obama’s call for change
Alaa Bayoumi, Al Jazeera 2/4/2008
If it were not for Barack Obama, many Arabs would not even bother to follow the results of the US presidential race on Super Tuesday. Such gloomy views could be attributed to Arabs’ negative attitudes toward governments and politics in general. Arabs have been living under authoritarian governments, many of them US allies, for decades. And the US’s traditional support for Israel’s illegal occupation of Palestinian land, coupled with the war on Iraq, has meant Arab mistrust of the US has dipped to new lows in recent years. Against this backdrop, it is easy to see why many Arabs will not be following the latest news from the US presidential primary elections. ’Offensive’ rhetoric Many do not see any serious differences between the Republican and Democratic candidates who are taking part in the race.
Ahmadinejad battles on the home front
Khody Akhavi, Asia Times 2/5/2008
WASHINGTON - Iranian President Mahmud Ahmadinejad has garnered headlines around the world for his defiance of Washington, as well as his rhetorical grandstanding on Palestinian issues, Israel and his government’s alleged support of Shi’ite militias in Iraq. Still, it appears that Iran’s parliamentary elections in March will be determined less by debates over the country’s foreign policy than by rising criticism of incompetence and economic mismanagement of conservatives and hardliners in the legislature and in Ahmadinejad’s office." Ahmadinejad is in trouble, not only because his economic policies have not worked; he has managed to antagonize almost the entire Iranian elite because of his exclusivist management style," said Farideh Farhi, an independent researcher on Iran and political scientist at the University of Hawaii.
IRAN: Ahmadinejad Caught Between Reformists and Hardliners
Khody Akhavi, Inter Press Service 1/28/2008
WASHINGTON, Jan 28(IPS) - Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad has garnered headlines around the world for his defiance of Washington, as well as his rhetorical grandstanding on Palestinian issues, the existence of Israel, and his government’s alleged support of Shiite militias in Iraq. Still, it appears that Iran’s upcoming parliamentary elections in March will be determined less by debates over the country’s foreign policy than by rising criticism of incompetence and economic mismanagement of conservatives and hardliners in the legislature and in the office of the president.
"Ahmadinejad is in trouble, not only because his economic policies have not worked; he has managed to antagonise almost the entire Iranian elite because of his exclusivist management style," said Farideh Farhi, an independent researcher on Iran and political scientist at the University of Hawaii.
Mideast press urges action on Gaza
BBC Online 6/14/2007
The Palestinian press makes an urgent appeal for action to prevent the violence in Gaza from turning into a full-blown civil war, urging President Abbas to call a state of emergency and ask for intervention from the region’s Arab states. Papers in the wider Middle East blame the violence on Palestinian leaders and demand fresh elections to resolve the power struggle between the Hamas and Fatah factions. In Israel, commentators ponder how the country should react to the Palestinian infighting, with one advocating a total withdrawal of Israeli troops and settlers from the occupied territories. -
Palestinian AL-QUDS --
It seems we have reached the point of no return in this infighting and are witnessing the beginnings of civil war.
Lebanon factions resume talks
AlJazeera 3/22/2006
Leaders of Lebanon''s rival factions have resumed talks on the fate of the country''s pro-Syrian president and a UN call for the disarmament of the Hizb Allah group. The talks come amid signs that an agreement remains elusive on the two issues that threaten to destabilise the country. The discussions, which began on 2 March, have focused on a 2004 UN Security Council resolution that calls for disarming Hizb Allah and Palestinian fighters. The resolution also urged new presidential elections. It was passed in September 2004, days before Lebanese legislators extended Emile Lahoud''s term for three years.
Chirac vows ''voice of reason'' on Iran
Daily Star 3/6/2006
French president labels cartoon row a ''clash of ignorance'' -- RIYADH: French President Jacques Chirac said Sunday the West would still reach out to Iran for a deal on its disputed nuclear file, in the first address to the Saudi consultative council by a foreign leader. The president''s wide-ranging speech in Riyadh also covered Lebanon, Syria, the Palestinian elections, reform in the conservative monarchy and the "clash of civilizations" between the West and Islam. "In Iran, the voice of reason that France, the United Kingdom and Germany wanted to be heard on the nuclear file has not been heard, for the time being," Chirac told the appointed advisory council, an all-male body of 150 members.
Palestinian Americans Push Religious Pluralism in P.A.
Forward 2/17/2006
WASHINGTON — Palestinian American activists are vowing to lobby Hamas against turning the West Bank and Gaza into an Islamic theocracy. Anxious about the victory of the Islamic fundamentalist group in last month''s Palestinian parliamentary elections, Palestinian American leaders say that they will push for laws favoring American-style church-state separation, pluralism, equality and inclusiveness. "We are at the time when defining decisions may very well be made in Palestine," said Ziad Asali, president of the American Task Force on Palestine. The task force is a prominent pro-Palestinian advocacy group in Washington.
Disagreement With Gaza Disengagement Sours Orthodox on Bush
Forward 6/24/2005
As Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice met with Israeli and Palestinian leaders this week, cracks were emerging in the coalition of Jewish conservatives that rallied this past November around the claim that President Bush was "the best friend Israel ever had in Washington." Many influential Republican loyalists and non-Orthodox hawks appear to be remaining firm in their support of Bush. But a growing number of Orthodox activists who were avidly courted by Bush in the 2004 election are feeling distinctly dismayed as the administration embraces Israel''s Gaza disengagement plan and presses for more aid to the Palestinians.
Elections give hope to Palestinian refugees
Daily Star 6/7/2005
BEIRUT: Palestinian refugees living in squalid and overcrowded camps dare to hope the legislative elections will directly improve their lives. "I have been monitoring the elections to see if they will bring change," said Mohammad al-Daoud, 21, outside Beirut''s Chatilla camp where portraits of candidates jostle those of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat. Some 400,000 Palestinian refugees live in 12 refugee compounds in South Lebanon, where conditions are often harsh and permanent citizenship is denied to all. Fouad Abed, 36, complained that the candidate he was rooting for lost in the first part of the four-stage elections that took place May 29.
El Salvador group opens park in honor of late Palestinian leader Arafat
Ha''aretz 5/25/2005
SAN SALVADOR, El Salvador - A new plaza on Jerusalem Avenue was inaugurated Wednesday in honor of the late Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, despite criticism from the Israeli Embassy in El Salvador. "We are making a monument to the maximum leader of the struggle for the liberation of Palestine," said one of the promoters, businessman John Nasser, as the square with a large bust of Arafat was inaugurated. Migrants from Palestine flowed to El Salvador for decades in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and several families became prominent in business and politics. Both President Tony Saca and his rival in last year''s election, Schafik Handal, are sons of families that migrated from the Palestinian city of Bethlehem.
AIPAC Losing this Fight
Electronic Intifada 3/7/2005
Press Release, Council for the National Interest -- AIPAC has been taken aback by new Mideast resolutions. Last month the House and the Senate each passed their own resolutions expressing support for the Palestinian Authority in the wake of their successful presidential elections. The Washington Jewish Week reported that many on the Hill feel the Israel lobby was caught asleep on this one. The problem for the lobby was simple: popular support and optimism after the Palestinian presidential elections took the wind out of any possible grounds for raising opposition to the resolutions.
Arabs warmly welcome Abbas election
Middle East Online 1/10/2005
Analysts, officials hail election of Mahmud Abbas as Palestinian leader, pay tribute to strong voter turnout. -- Arabs gave a warm welcome Monday to the election of Mahmud Abbas as Palestinian leader, admiring a successful exercise in Arab democracy and hoping that a strong voter turnout will bolster his position. Analyst Nabil Abdel Fattah of Cairo''s Al Ahram Center of Strategic Studies said the high turnout and the strong result for Mahmud Abbas "gives him the necessary legitimacy for his plans to resolve the conflict" with Israel.
Press Review: ''The hour of truth has arrived''
The Guardian 1/11/2005
Mahmoud Abbas wins but how will events now develop? -- Times, Editorial, January 10 - "After [Sunday''s] election ... there was a palpable feeling that something had changed ... Mahmoud Abbas, the pragmatist favoured by Israel and the outside world ... won a triumphant victory ... to succeed the late ... Yasser Arafat as president of the Palestinian Authority ...
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