ABBAS DISMISSES GOVERNMENT AND WILL FORM EMERGENCY

S E C R E T SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001230 SIPDIS SIPDIS E.O. 12958: DECL: 05/08/2017 TAGS: KPAL KWBG PGOV PREL PTER IS SUBJECT: ABBAS DISMISSES GOVERNMENT AND WILL FORM EMERGENCY GOVERNMENT REF: A. JERUSALEM 01201 ¶B. JERUSALEM 01189 Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, Reasons 1.4 (b) and (d). ¶1. (S) On the evening of June 14, PA President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) signed decrees dismissing the national unity government (NUG),declaring a state of emergency, and creating the legal basis to form an emergency government. On June 15, Presidential Advisor Nabil Amr announced that Salam Fayyad had been selected to form an emergency government to preside over all Palestinian Authority (PA) issues in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip. HAMAS rejected Abbas' decision and claimed that Abu Mazen's actions will widen the gap between the West Bank and Gaza and harm Palestinian interests. End Summary. ABBAS TAKES ACTION: DISMISSES NUG -------------- ¶2. (S) President Abbas signed three decrees on the evening of June 14. He dismissed the NUG and PM Ismail Haniyah; he declared a state of emergency in all PA areas; and he declared that he will organize an emergency government. (NOTE: The text of the three decrees at paras 4-6. END NOTE.) On June 15 Nabil Amr announced that Abbas passed a letter to Salam Fayyad asking him to form the new government, and Palestinian sources close to the President have told us a government is likely to be formed within 48 hours. Abbas is expected to give a speech on June 16 in which he will explain that the emergency government's mandate includes PA issues in all of the Palestinian territories. Secretary General of the Presidency Tayyib Abdel Rahim, who announced the decrees, also stated publicly that Abbas intends to hold new elections when the situation permits. HAMAS REJECTS DECISION -------------- ¶3. (S) HAMAS officials publicly rejected Abbas's decision to dismiss the NUG. Late June 14, PM Haniyah held a press conference and said he and his government will continue to function in an effort to fulfill their responsibilities to the Palestinian people. HAMAS denied that Abbas has the authority to dismiss the government. Damascus-based HAMAS leader Khalid Mish'al publicly denied reports that HAMAS intended to put the Gaza Strip under Islamic law. Legal experts have confirmed to the press and Post that article 110 of the Palestinian Basic Law allows the President to establish a government without PLC approval for 30 days. After that, the PLC must endorse the government. (NOTE: Given the inability of the PLC to function under current circumstances, we understand that Abu Mazen and Fayyad anticipate that the new government will continue beyond 30 days. END NOTE.) FULL TEXT OF DECREES -------------- ¶4. First Decree (ConGen translation) Begin Text. Decree No () 2007 Dismissing the Prime Minister The President of the PLO Executive Committee President of the National Authority After reviewing the amended Basic Law of 2003 and the earlier decrees appointing the Prime Minister (No 1. Date 2007) and forming the Council of Ministers on March 17, 2007 while seeking public interest, we have decreed the following based on the powers vested in us: Dismissing the Prime Minister Mr. Ismael Haniyeh: All concerned parties shall implement the provisions of this decree. The decree shall go into effect as of its date and shall be published in the official gazette. President Mahmoud Abbas End Text. ¶5. Second Decree Begin Text. Decree No () 2007 JERUSALEM 00001230 002 OF 002 Declaring a state of emergency The President of the PLO Executive Committee President of the National Authority After reviewing the amended Basic Law of 2003, earlier decrees and Chapter 7 of the Basic Law of 2003 and based on the powers vested in us, we decree the following: Declare a state of emergency in all the PA areas because of the war waged in Gaza and the take over of the legitimate security installations by outlawed militias. Shall go into effect immediately as of date of publication and be published in the official gazette President Mahmoud Abbas End Text. ¶6. Third Decree Begin Text. Decree No () 2007 Effecting the state of emergency The President of the PLO Executive Committee President of the National Authority Forming a cabinet: After reviewing the amended Basic Law of 2003, earlier decrees and Chapter 7 of the Basic Law of 2003, and based on the powers vested in us while seeking public interest, we have decreed the following: To form a government to enforce the regulations of the state of emergency after taking an oath before the President of the PA. Shall go into effect immediately as of date of publication and be published in the official gazette President Mahmoud Abbas End Text. WALLES