ABBAS-HANIYYAH TALKS PRODUCE FEW RESULTS; CLASHES

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001854 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/LOGERFO E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/09/2016 TAGS: PREL PGOV KWBG KPAL SUBJECT: ABBAS-HANIYYAH TALKS PRODUCE FEW RESULTS; CLASHES IN GAZA CONTINUE Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (C) Summary. Talks initiated over the May 6-7 weekend between President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) and Hamas PM Isma'il Haniyyah failed to resolve disagreements over security responsibilities and appointments. Clashes erupted between Fatah and Hamas for a second day, May 9, in the Gaza Strip. Both Fatah and Hamas supporters demonstrated against the non-payment of salaries. End summary. ¶2. (C) Talks in Gaza between Abu Mazen and Hamas PM Isma'il Haniyyah May 6-7 produced no concrete results, according to ConGen Fatah contacts familiar with the discussions. (Note: Septel reports on Consul General's meetings with Salam Fayyad and Akram Haniyyah on this subject. End note.) The meetings failed to resolve outstanding disagreements between Abu Mazen and the PA government over the creation of a special security force headed by Popular Resistance Committees Head Jamal Abu Samhadaneh, the appointment of Gaza PSO Chief Rashid Abu Shbak as internal security chief, and overall control of the border crossing authority and the National Security Forces (NSF). (Note: According to an MOI spokesman, the special security unit would support existing security force units in cracking down on illegal building construction in Gaza and engage in other "special duties." End note.) ¶3. (C) Presidential spokesperson Nabil Abu Rudaynah told the media after the meeting that Abu Mazen supported and agreed to sponsor a "national dialogue" between Hamas and the other Palestinian factions. Both sides also agreed to ease tensions brewing between Hamas and Fatah supporters. (Note: These statements preceded the May 8-9 clashes in Gaza between Fatah and Hamas gunmen that resulted in three dead and at least 20 wounded, including five Palestinian schoolchildren. Several Fatah gunmen were also taken hostage, but later released. End note.) Ministerial Committee Meets But Few Signs of Progress -------------- ¶4. (C) Abu Mazen and Haniyyah agreed to form a ministerial-level committee to focus on the growing financial crisis in the PA and to coordinate further steps between the PA government and Abu Mazen's presidential office. The committee, which convened on May 7, includes: Fatah Central Committee and PLC member Nabil Sh'ath, former PLC Speaker Rawhi Fattuh, Fatah PLC bloc leader Azzam al-Ahmad, and presidential chief of staff Rafiq Husseini. Hamas representatives include PA Cabinet Chief of Staff Muhammad Awad and Minister of Information Yusif Rizqah. During their initial meeting, the participants reportedly discussed channeling international donor funds through the President's office. Protesters Calibrate Blame -------------- ¶5. (C) In the midst of these talks, Hamas and Fatah organized separate rallies May 5 in Ramallah, Gaza City, Nablus, and Hebron to rally support for the PA government and to protest the ongoing "siege" against Palestinians. Fatah supporters initiated strikes in the Ministries of Agriculture and Civil Affairs that lasted several hours. Strikes reportedly organized in other Ministries for May 6 did not develop as planned. A strike by Fatah teachers in Nablus is planned for May 10 to protest the non-payment of salaries. Fatah and Hamas protesters have presented competing messages in these demonstrations: Hamas has placed blame for the non-payment of salaries on the international community, while Fatah has faulted the Hamas-led government. WALLES