NEW PA PLATFORM: CABINET PLEDGES TO DELIVER

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 001567 SIPDIS SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, NSC FOR ABRAMS/SINGH/WATERS E.O. 12958: DECL: 07/27/2017 TAGS: KWBG PGOV IS PREL PINS KISL SUBJECT: NEW PA PLATFORM: CABINET PLEDGES TO DELIVER SECURITY, FIGHT POLITICAL EXPLOITATION OF ISLAM Classified By: Consul General Jake Walles, for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. In a progressive platform to be publicly announced July 28, PM Salam Fayyad's Cabinet commits "to fully abide by (PA and PLO agreements) including those agreements signed with Israel." The platform contains no references to revolutionary struggle. In a July 27 conversation with the Consul General, PM Fayyad said the platform's most important stated objectives (among 22 political, legal and developmental goals) are delivery of security and safety for Palestinians and combating exploitation of religion for political gains. Post will transmit the full platform text to NEA/IPA. End summary. Principles for New Government -------------- ¶2. (C) PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad formally transmitted the text of his government's platform to President Abbas on July 27. The platform commits the government to President Abbas' political platform, deletes past platform references to revolutionary struggle, and states that "the government views peace not only as a strategic option, but as a necessity imposed by the current political circumstances." The government pledges "to fully abide by (PA and PLO agreements) including those agreements signed with Israel." (Note: Previous PA government platforms contained general references to agreements without specifically mentioning those with Israel. End note). Specific Cabinet Goals: Security, Combating Misuse of Islam -------------- ¶3. (C) While the platform contains stock references to Palestinian political goals on borders, statehood, Jerusalem and refugees (an "independent state with holy Jerusalem as its capital on all Palestinian lands occupied in 1967, based on the principles and terms of the 1988 Declaration of Independence"),it also includes specific items for immediate Cabinet action, naming delivery of "security and safety as most pressing priorities. "The government pledges to end the state of security chaos, lawlessness and armed activities while maintaining the policy of 'one gun, one authority'; and to provide security to Palestinian citizens, foreign workers and guests of the Palestinian people." ¶4. (C) In a July 27 conversation with the Consul General, PM Fayyad called special note to a goal crafted to combat Hamas and other terror groups' exploitation of Islam to justify violence and for personal/political gain. The platform pledges to "promote Islam as a religion of tolerance and moderation, while preventing the use of Islam to justify killings, exclusion of others and destruction." Empowerment of Women and National Unity Key Goals -------------- ¶5. (C) Among goals for each Cabinet portfolio, the platform commits "to achieve equality between men and women in all domains" and "fully support women and enhance their participation in all walks of life i.e. political, social and economic." (Note: 3 of the 15 Cabinet members are women, the highest total in the history of the PA. End note). ¶6. (C) Acknowledging "conspiracies, violence and forceful conquest of state institutions and installations in Gaza, a key platform goal is "to work on reinstalling effective control of the legitimate authority in the entire Gaza Strip. . . This matter poses a threat to the unity of the homeland and the national traditions of the Palestinian people." Economic Revival Plan -------------- ¶7. (C) The platform's final goal is development and implementation of an "Urgent Economic Revival Plan" for the coming six months and a medium-term plan for 2008-2010. The six-month plan will: -- a) earmark budget funds to settle back salary payments for PA employees and debts to the private sector; -- b) provide a humanitarian relief plan for Gaza; -- c) provide for infrastructure and utility development projects. The mid-term plan will "put forth a national program to build the economy and the institutions of the independent Palestinian state starting with developing a realistic and JERUSALEM 00001567 002 OF 002 sound development vision to determine the identity and quality of the aspired Palestinian economy. . . with participation from all government ministries and structures and the private sector." WALLES