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