Abbas says quits

He is trying to withdraw from the scene, more perhaps out of a sense of untenability as far as the vocal Palestinians go than in an outright huff. As a matter of fact, he has resigned just ahead of a confidence vote in parliament next week which might have gone against him. The road map that he vanguarded was semi-comatose following a complete breakdown of the truce between Israeli and Palestinian hardliners and the consequent spiraling violence. Now, with him pushed on to the exit course by Arafat loyalists, the US-initiated peace plan has been thrown completely off-gear.

The wrangling between him and Arafat came to a head lately over control of security forces. Abbas, backed by the US, demanded full command over all men under arms. Arafat wouldn't simply relinquish authority over four of the eight security branches. Clearly, if Abbas were to get full control of the security forces, his hands would have been strengthened in negotiating with Hamas, Islamic Jihad and renegades from his Fatah movement. This prospect was not looked kindly on by Abbas detractors.

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Any internal vindication of Arafat's position as against Mahmoud Abbas is likely to invite the wrath of the US- Jewish entente. The US and Israel are opposed to Arafat's taking full control of the Palestinian authority. So far as the initial reaction of Israeli leaders to Abbas' resignation goes, the defence minister wants Arafat sent into exile and the cabinet minister Danny Navela called for his ouster. Such an extreme positioning against Arafat is bound to prove counter-productive in the end for the simple reason that he remains a factor in the Palestinian psyche, let alone his electoral standing with his people.