Roadmap To Resignation

Ghassan Charbel     Al-Hayat     2003/08/26

Mahmoud Abbas' government seems to be trapped in a position where it is exposed to every explosion's shrapnel, or every explosive statement. If Ariel Sharon's government assassinates a Hamas official, Abbas' government gets hit with shrapnel, over and above the targeted party. If Hamas blows up a bus in Jerusalem, Abbas' government also gets hit with shrapnel, along with the targeted ones. In the first case, some Palestinians wonder what use is a government that cannot restrain Israel's assassinations policy. In the second case, some Israelis ask what use is a Palestinian government that cannot stop suicide operations.

It is a government prone to be hit with every explosion. If George Bush makes a harsh statement against Hamas and "terrorist organizations," Abbas' government is hit. If Al Rantissi makes threats, the government itself has to expect some shrapnel. Not to forget wounds inflicted by the knives of the "family." Yasser Arafat, the Palestinian president, swallowed Abbas' government as one who is forced to take 'bitter' medicine, and dreams of stopping it the first chance he gets. The meetings of Fatah Central Committee have tended, since the birth of this government, to settle accounts, whilst hiding the daggers under glimmering slogans.

Who wants Abbas' government to succeed? In light of what he/she sees or hears, any observer could ask this question. Sharon has no interest in its success, since this option completely eliminates the option of engaging in a civil war. He has no interest in the resumption of U.S.-Palestinian relations through Abbas' government, and in Washington's support of this government. Even if this support lacks the necessary minimum level of pressure on Sharon's government.

Hamas has no interest in the success of Abbas' government. This is clear. Every success in regaining Palestinian sovereignty over a town must be met with guarantees and procedures. Moreover, the whole process is based on negotiations, trust-building and ending suicide operations and the Intifada. Simply put, this means disarming Hamas or preventing it from using weapons, and putting an end to its program, which is initially based on an "open war" - even if this includes truces or ceasefires. Not to mention President Yasser Arafat's accounts and the complicated accounts within the Fatah camp, which is in itself, many camps.

Mahmoud Abbas was destined to have Ariel Sharon as his "partner" in search for peace. He is a criminal partner able to mine all roads in the Roadmap. Moreover, Abbas' success totally contradicts Sharon's real program.

Every time an activist is killed, Abbas' government is hit. The same applies whenever a bus is blown up. And when the government, with its saturated body, goes to Fatah's meetings, its wounds increase. What if Abbas cleared his desk and resigned? What would Arafat do? What would Hamas do? The balance of power is well known, the regional scene is dark and the international situation need not be explained.