FATAH REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL NAMES ABBAS GENERAL

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 004786


NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE; NSC FOR ABRAMS/DORAN/WATERS

E.O. 12958: DECL: 11/12/2016
TAGS: PGOV KPAL KWBG
SUBJECT: FATAH REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL NAMES ABBAS GENERAL
COMMANDER

Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, per reasons 1.4(b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary: On November 12, the Fatah Revolutionary
Council (FRC) named President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) the
General Commander of Fatah. That makes Abu Mazen the formal
leader of the Fatah movement and represents a political
victory over the Secretary General, Farouq al-Qadummi. The
FRC also created a field committee to oversee Fatah
organizational structures in the West Bank and one in Gaza
and placed Abu Mazen in direct control of both. End Summary.


ABBAS GENERAL COMMANDER OF FATAH
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2. (C) On the second of three days of meeting, the Fatah
Revolutionary Council (FRC) named PA President Mahmoud Abbas
(Abu Mazen) the General Commander of Fatah, a vacant position
last held by former President Yasser Arafat. In a discussion
with ConGen FSN political specialist, FRC member Mohammad
Madani described the FRC decision as a vote of confidence in
Abu Mazen and his policies by Fatah. Madani also said the
appointment is a political victory for Abu Mazen over Farouq
al-Qadummi, who has been the Secretary General of Fatah since
Arafat's death in 2004. Madani and other high-ranking Fatah
officials note that al-Qadummi and Abu Mazen have been
engaged in a struggle over the past year to define who is the
leader of the Fatah movement. These officials argue that the
FRC decision places Abu Mazen firmly in that leadership role.
Qadummi has not responded publicly to the FRC decision yet.
(Note: The last scheduled meeting of the Fatah Central
Committee on October 17 did not take place, largely because
of the power struggle between Abu Mazen and Qadummi
Following that non-event, Abu Mazen said it was the last time
the FCC would meet outside the territories, effectively
excluding Qadummi from FCC meetings. End Note.)

FATAH GRASSROOTS ORGANIZATION
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3. (C) The FRC also created field committees to oversee
Fatah organizational structures in both the West Bank and
Gaza. (Comment: PLC member Mohammed Dahlan had previously
told us about this proposal and said that he had obtained Abu
Mazen's approval and expected the FRC to launch publicly the
committees. Dahlan said the purpose of these committees
would be to limit the power of the FCC at the grassroots
level. End Note) Madani and other FRC officials noted that
the FRC placed this committee under Abu Mazen's leadership.
Madani explained that this new structure puts Abu Mazen in
direct touch with the Fatah grassroots for the first time.
This new arrangement could create a more organized and
centralized Fatah movement. Madani added that the details of
the plan, including composition of the committees, will be
worked out later in the week after Abu Mazen returns from a
visit to Jordan. (Note: He departed Ramallah November 12 and
we expect him to return o/a November 15. End Note.) Madani
also noted that the field committees are intended to be
temporary pending internal Fatah party elections.

CENTRAL COMMITTEE BUSINESS
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4. (C) Madani and other Fatah leaders added that the FRC has
also decided to reshuffle the portfolios held by various
Fatah Central Committee (FCC) members, and to create three
new portfolios: refugees, security and Jerusalem. The FRC
members also agreed to work towards holding the Fatah Sixth
Conference -- at which a new FCC will be elected -- in the
first half of 2007.

WALLES