Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
07JERUSALEM1230
2007-06-15 12:53:00
SECRET
Consulate Jerusalem
Cable title:
ABBAS DISMISSES GOVERNMENT AND WILL FORM EMERGENCY
how-toVZCZCXRO6567 OO RUEHROV DE RUEHJM #1230/01 1661253 ZNY SSSSS ZZH O 151253Z JUN 07 FM AMCONSUL JERUSALEM TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC IMMEDIATE 8052 INFO RUEHXK/ARAB ISRAELI COLLECTIVE PRIORITY RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC PRIORITY
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).
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
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