Abbas warns of dissolving Hamas government

[barb162]

Abbas warns of dissolving Hamas government
(DPA)

25 March 2006
RAMALLAH - In a clear warning to the radical Islamic movement Hamas, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said on Saturday he may use his constitutional powers to dissolve a Hamas-led government, if national interests are endangered.


Abbas’ bureau chief, Rafik Husseini, delivered the letter to Prime Minister-Designate Isma’eel Hanyeh in Gaza, which came in response to Hanyeh’s government platform presented to Abbas last week.

Presidential Secretary General Tayeb Abdul Rahim told reporters in Ramallah that Abbas had written that he “will closely monitor the government performance” and he “will act whenever necessary according to the authority granted to him by the people and according to the authority stated in the Basic Law.”

“As chairman of the Palestine Liberation Organisation and President of the (Palestinian) National Authority, and by the powers accorded by the people and the constitutional authority, I will execute this authority to protect the higher national interest whenever that would be necessary,” the letter continued.
snip


http://www.khaleejtimes.com/DisplayArticle.asp?xfile=data/middleeast/2006/March/middleeast_March651.xml§ion=middleeast&col=

[barb162]

1. And BBC's take on same

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4846114.stm
Abbas warns Hamas prime minister
Sunday, 26 March 2006

Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas has told Hamas he is prepared to act if the incoming Hamas government damages the interests of the Palestinian people.
snip

[On the Road]

2. I Don't Understand the Different Roles of Rahim and Abbas

I expected Abbas to drop out of the picture after the elections. Isn't it a parliamentary system where the leader of the party with a legislative majority immediately becomes leader of the government?

Regardless of that, the current situation shows how much of a joke self-rule is. In effect, all the Palestinians can do is vote for the quisling. Even if they don't, their choice is nullified due to internal and external constraints. The infighting makes the PA ineffective against the Israeli desire to take the most desirable parts of the West bank and wall the Palestinians off on the rest.

[barb162]

3. Well It's certainly not immediate as the new government

wasn't formed until just recently and Hamas didn't get too many other parties agreeing with it. Abbas wasn't up for reelection; he still holds his position and his power. Here's the actual press release from the official Pal News Agency.

http://english.wafa.ps/body.asp?id=5764
DATE: 25/03/2006 TIME :20:32
In a Letter Responding Hamas Governmental Programme:
President Expresses Sorrow and Demands Designate PM to Respect Political and Legal Commitments

RAMALLAH, March 25, 2006, (WAFA)- Secretary General of Presidency, Tayyeb Abdurahim, said that President Mahmoud Abbas handed over prime minister-designate, Ismail Haniya, a letter including the response of President to the platform of Hamas's Government.
snip
Secretary General of Presidency added that despite the overcoming of his directions, President Abbas would not use his legal power in this regard, preferring to offer the Government the chance of vote of confidence at the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC).

In today's letter, President Abbas demanded the incoming PM to carry out the vote of confidence and to shoulder responsibility of protecting and promoting the Palestinian legal, political and diplomatic achievements in accordance to law and basic system, according to Abdurahim.

snip

Abdurahim revealed that President Abbas concluded his letter by reiterating that he would practice his duties to protect the high Palestinian interests according to law.

snip

[barb162]

4. this might clarify it

"Under current legislation, the Palestinian president is empowered by law to fire Mr Haniya if his policies are considered harmful to the national interest."
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4846114.stm

PS I doubt if Abbas will do this unless things were to get really out of hand.

[On the Road]

6. Thank You, Barb --

So it's not like a typical European parliament where, for example, Tony Blair remains PM only as long as the Labor Party holds a majority of seats in the House of Commons.

In the Pal Auth, president and PrMin are separate posts with separate elections. Haniya (not Rahim) seems to be somewhere in between a prime minister and a US Speaker of the House.

I wonder whether how this structure was developed -- it seems designed to prevent keep most government power away from a group like Hamas. For Israel and the US, it has the advantage that when a militant group wins local elections, the effect is not an Intifada or other hostilities, but internal Palestinian strife and a weakened PA.

I do understand Abbas's threat if Hamas carries through with actions designed to destroy the Palestinian Authority and launch an open war with Israel. On the other hand, I would think Hamas has every right to do that, given that they're under hostile occupation. But it would be a serious act with very dark prospects.

[IndianaGreen]

5. Do I hear the drum beat of a Palestinian civil war?

Hamas cannot be anything other than Hamas, and Arafat's cronies in Fatah want the cushy jobs they had before Hamas won the election. This is heading towards a civil war!