A new beginning for the Palestinians?

The election was monitored by over 800 international observers that included former President Carter and his group and also the members of National Democratic Institution of the USA. After the election President Carter said to CNN that the election was free and fair and in fact used the word superb while explaining the election process. He said there were certain obstructions from Israeli side while the election was going on in East Jerusalem for which he had to intervene with Prime Minister Sharon's office four times. He said justice to Palestinians was long overdue and this election should be a positive step towards the two-state solution, where both Palestinians and Israelis can live together side by side.

The most important was the absence of violence by Hamas or other radical Palestinians during election. The environment was peaceful and the Palestinians could vote freely. The spokeswoman of the National Democratic Institution of the USA said the election did reflect the will of the Palestinian people. This is the first time an Arab nation has shown that it can establish democracy in its territory. Therefore, Israel should no longer take the credit that it is the only country that has established democracy in the region. Its next- door neighbour has done the same indeed in a better way -- dignified and more peaceful way -- without any influence from outside as Israel has from the vast number of Jewish people in the US. So whatever bad name the Palestinians have earned in terms of violence was due to Israel's occupation of Palestinian land against international will and its oppressive military actions against Palestinian people. It is quite cleat that if Israel vacates Palestinian land and removes forces to its 1967 border, peace would descend on the land and both states can live side by side peacefully.

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Another Presidential contender Mustafa Barghouti who received over 21 percent of the popular vote conceded defeat and welcomed the election outcome. This deserves high appreciation. His party men did not do any violence nor disturbed the election process. He, however, complained against Israel as he had serious campaign difficulty and indeed was arrested by Israeli forces once while he was in East Jerusalem. He also said he would cooperate with the Palestinian Authority in the coming days and participate in the next parliamentary election on July 17. Hamas decided not to participate in the Presidential election but interestingly did not raise a word during election. Though practically all its members are armed, they did not make any effort to disrupt the election process. It said it would participate in the next Parliamentary election. All these are the signs of a mature democracy.

President Bush termed this election as a "historic" step in the democratic process and congratulated Mahmud Abbas as the newly elected President of the Palestinian Authority. He also invited Abbas to visit Washington, which he steadfastly refused to do to Arafat. EU Foreign Affairs' Chief Javier Solana welcomed this as a new opportunity for peace in the region where both states could live together side by side, He said EU would do everything it could to help the peace process.

Sharon personally did not say anything about the result of the election till President Bush came out with his congratulatory message. Sharon telephoned Abbas only on January 11 to congratulate him. What his people earlier said after the election results were out was that Mahmud Abbas must work to stop violence and terror. One of the spokesman, however, said they are ready to compromise, a term which, he said, is important in Israel's dictionary, but they are ready to do so if terrorism stops. But unfortunately they do not understand that "terrorism" (armed struggle) would end the day the occupation would end.

Mahmud Abbas said he would sit with the radical groups including Hamas in Cairo next month with a view to working out a formula to have a ceasefire so that he could start his peace talks with Israel. But Hamas said this was not a one way street -- Israel must remove its forces from the Palestinian cities, towns and villages, ease travel restrictions and stop assassination of Hamas leaders and only then it would be prepared to consider a ceasefire. These are legitimate demands. Hamas was, however, of the view that Oslo Agreement was a "monumental mistake" which, of course many would not agree to and therefore it wants to continue its arms struggle till occupation is vacated.

Abbas and the senior members of the Palestinian Authority appear determined to put in place all the democratic institutions for which they are having the parliament election too on July 17, 05. The decision has also been taken to bring 19 security outfits to three to create the good base for good governance. Palestinian Authority has reportedly posted its budget in the web site with a view to ensuring transparency. These are the good steps to earn confidence of the international community.

Former National security Advisor (during Sr. Bush's presidency) Brent Scowcroft said the US should impose the settlement as given in the Road Map on Israel as otherwise no peace can be achieved between Israel and Palestine. It is true that these distant cousins have been too deeply entrenched in their fight to have sovereignty over a piece of land -- too precious to both. Former President Carter agreed to the suggestion while talking to the CNN. He said the Road Map has been endorsed by President Bush and also accepted in entirety by the Palestinians. The Road Map was worked out by the Quartet -- the US, UN. Russia and the EU. Only Israel had 14 reservations. So Israel is the only party that has problem with the Road Map. So it is quite clear that the world including the US is on one side and they must agree to impose it on Israel as only the Road Map is the best solution and undoubtedly can ensure peace which is in the interest of everyone. Israel must not be allowed to wreck it and continue its occupation endangering the peace and security of the world.

The world cannot suffer for the obstinacy and belligerent behaviour of Israel. As it appears America itself got into the Iraqi quagmire because it wanted to take upon itself the burden of fighting the Israeli war. Oil was undoubtedly of American interest for which it also wanted to have occupation of some sort. All these were evil ideas and result was colossal loss of human lives -- both Iraqis and Americans. Indeed, the root cause of the present day worldwide terrorism is the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land and the consequent armed struggle by the Palestinians to recover their land. So end of occupation of all Arab land by both Israel and America is the only way to bring peace in the region as well as in other parts of the world.

Muslehuddin Ahmad is a former Secretary and Ambassador.