HUSSAYN AL-SHAYKH: SECURITY FIRST PRIORITY

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001360

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE. NSC FOR ABRAMS/WATERS/SINGH

E.O. 12958: DECL: 06/29/2017
TAGS: KPAL KWBG PGOV PREL PTER IS KDEM
SUBJECT: HUSSAYN AL-SHAYKH: SECURITY FIRST PRIORITY

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


1. (C) Begin Summary. On June 28, Fatah grassroots leader
Hussayn al-Shaykh told PolChief that he supports the new
government and the appointment of Salam Fayyad as Prime
Minister. He urged an immediate re-examination of the entire
security apparatus, claiming that West Bank PA security
forces (PASF) are weaker than those in Gaza. While praising
PA President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen)'s leadership, al-Shaykh
also encouraged the President to be more decisive on security
and suggested he should replace all of the PASF chiefs.
Al-Shaykh said internal Fatah elections are out of the
question during the current "emergency," and he will not work
with NDI on Fatah reform. End Summary.

Al-Shaykh's New Position
--------------


2. (C) PA President Mahmud Abbas (Abu Mazen) issued a decree
naming al-Shaykh director of Civil Affairs, responsible for
all civilian liaison with the GoI. Al-Shaykh said he reports
directly to Abu Mazen, not the Minister of Interior, in this
capacity. Al-Shaykh was joined in his new office by Gaza
Fatah leader Samir Mashrawi. (Note: During the eighteen
months after the PLC election, much of the civil affairs
work, including VIP permits, was handled by PLO Chief
Negotiator Sa'eb Erekat, because the GoI would not deal with
the PA. End Comment)

Support for New Government
--------------


3. (C) Al-Shaykh said he will support the new government and
predicted that newly-appointed PM Salam Fayyad will be the
most successful Prime Minister in the history of the PA. He
applauded Fayyad's boldness and seriousness about confronting
Hamas. Al-Shaykh said the Presidential decree exempting
Gazans from paying taxes bolstered Gazans' support for
Fayyad. He said he expects Fayyad's popularity to increase
as soon as salaries are paid, and even more "in a few months,
when Fayyad's steps forward start bearing fruit."

Security is Top Priority: Reigning in
the Militias, Coordinating with the Israelis
--------------


4. (C) While applauding Abu Mazen's decision to form a
committee to investigate events in Gaza, al-Shaykh urged a
re-examination of the security apparatus. He said only some
PASF elements; e.g., General Intelligence and PSO, engaged
Hamas during the clashes, and others; e.g., Presidential
Guard and National Security Forces did not fight. Al-Shaykh
expressed doubt that the West Bank PASF can confront Hamas,
given Hamas' local, regional and international support.
"Fatah security in Gaza was much better off than in the West
Bank and look what happened. Thirty Hamas gunmen could take
over the West Bank in seconds," said al-Shaykh. He suggested
Abu Mazen replace all the security chiefs and expand Fayyad's
role in security.


5. (C) Al-Shaykh said West Bank security requires bringing
all the militias under the legitimate authority and said he
is calling on the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades to rejoin the
PASF. He said West Bank security also requires help from
Israel and success is contingent on an end to IDF incursions
into the West Bank. He expressed concern about the ongoing
operation in Nablus (septel). Al-Shaykh noted that he had
advised Abu Mazen to form a steering committee with
representatives of all PA ministries to coordinate with the
GoI. (Comment: Al-Shaykh proposed that he lead this
committee. He is already angling to expand his new
responsibilities, but his authority is unlikely to expand
into the security realm, because it would undermine the PM's
effort to empower the MoI. End comment).

Going After Hamas
--------------


5. (C) Al-Shaykh praised Abu Mazen's decree mandating all
NGOs to re-register with the MoI. He said that is critical
to confront Hamas' network of charitable societies. He also
urged Abu Mazen to be more decisive on security matters,
saying the President can no longer afford to be a "centrist"
and sit on the fence. Al-Shaykh stressed that Abu Mazen must
view the situation in Gaza as an opportunity to suffocate
Hamas and restore Fatah's legitimacy. It is clear that Hamas
had support from the outside, including from Khalid Misha'al
and Ahmadinejad, he stated. "Hamas entered into a trap.
They made great military accomplishments but in time, there
will be heavy losses. There is no room for maneuvering,"

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said al-Shaykh. Al-Shaykh praised Abu Mazen for rejecting
Saudi Arabia and Egypt's call for dialogue between
Palestinian factions and warned that Abu Mazen must not back
away from this stance.

Fatah Internal Elections Out of the Question for Now
-------------- --------------


6. (C) Al-Shaykh said internal Fatah elections are out of
the question in the current situation. He encouraged a
re-evaluation of Fatah but stressed that the challenge is not
only fixing Fatah but repairing the entire democratic current
of the West Bank. Al-Shaykh said the focus on Fatah is now a
second-order priority, but said Fatah continues to need a new
strategy. (Comment: Al-Shaykh was previously leading the
charge for Fatah reform, but is cynical about this effort for
now. End comment).


7. (C) Al-Shaykh said he will no longer work with the
National Democratic Institute (NDI) on Fatah reform. (Note:
As Chair of the West Bank Field Committee, al-Shaykh signed
an agreement with NDI for training. End Note). He
reiterated his concerns that NDI had sought to mediate
between himself and other Fatah leaders and that NDI is too
close to Abu Ala'a. He said "NDI can work with Abu Ala'a. I
won't work with them." Asked by PolChief if there is no USG
assistance or NDI training that al-Shaykh and Fatah could
benefit from, al-Shaykh said no. He added that Fatah was
criticized during the clashes in Gaza for being supported by
the U.S., but, in fact, had received little tangible support.

WALLES