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