HUSSAYN AL-SHAYKH WITH CODEL ACKERMAN ON FATAH

C O N F I D E N T I A L JERUSALEM 001850

SIPDIS

SIPDIS

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

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/31/2017
TAGS: KWBG PGOV PREL PTER PHUM KPAL IS
SUBJECT: HUSSAYN AL-SHAYKH WITH CODEL ACKERMAN ON FATAH

REFORM, PA-GOI COOPERATION, INTERNATIONAL MEETING

Classified By: Acting Principal Officer Thomas M. Duffy, per reasons 1.
4 (b) and (d)


1. (C) Summary. On August 29, Fatah leader and PA Civil
Affairs director Hussayn al-Shaykh told CODEL Ackerman that
PM Fayyad has taken bold steps in addressing internal
Palestinian security issues, dissolving Hamas charities, and
calling for a three-year economic development plan. He added
that to confront Hamas and turn the West Bank into a model of
democracy, Abu Mazen and PM Fayyad need political support
from the GoI. Al-Shaykh said Fatah is in crisis and called
for the election of new leadership. Before the November
international meeting, al-Shaykh said that Abu Mazen and
Olmert must agree on guidelines for a peace process and that
the GoI must remove some road blocks to increase
Palestinians' mobility. End Summary.

West Bank as Model of Democracy
--------------


2. (C) On August 29, al-Shaykh told Representatives Gary
Ackerman (D-NY) and John Hall (D-NY) that PM Fayyad has taken
bold steps to address internal Palestinian security issues,
dissolving Hamas charities, and calling for a three-year
economic development plan. He believes Palestinians are
generally supportive of Fayyad and his independent government
and that Hamas will face a serious challenge from the new
government when there is movement on the peace process.


3. (C) Al-Shaykh said the GoI and the PA share an interest
in combating terrorism in Gaza, finding a just solution to
the their conflict, and increasing economic viability in the
Arab world. He added that now, more than ever, Abu Mazen and
PM Fayyad need political support from the GoI. He said, "If
the West Bank becomes a model of democracy, this will be the
fatal bullet with which we shoot Hamas." Al-Shaykh said that
it is a mistake to assume that Hamas is not strong in the
West Bank, but added that their strength is in electoral
support, not military might.

Fatah Facing Leadership Crisis
--------------


4. (C) Al-Shaykh said Fatah is suffering from a leadership
crisis and that "the corrupt current" must be dealt with. He
said Abu Mazen is the only one from the "Old Guard" who can
take steps to democratize the movement and deal with the
generation gap. Al-Shaykh commented that "the FCC members
deal with Fatah as if it's a ranch of their own" and
suggested holding the Sixth General Conference to elect new
leadership. He said that the biggest gift Fatah has received
is Salam Fayyad serving as Prime Minister. Unlike the Fatah
leadership which has no real plan, al-Shaykh said that PM
Fayyad has a legitimate economic development plan that will
win public support. Describing the "Old Guard" Fatah
leadership as "Hamas-like," al-Shaykh said that if there was
not so much corruption, Hamas would not have taken over Gaza.

International Meeting
--------------


5. (C) Before the November international meeting, al-Shaykh
said that Abu Mazen and Olmert must agree on guidelines for a
peace process. He also said that Palestinians must see some
checkpoints and road blocks removed prior to the meeting.
Al-Shaykh stressed that only Israelis and Palestinians can
reach an agreement and urged the international community not
to pressure Israel to take a position it does not want.


6. (C) Al-Shakyh recounted how on August 28, he received a
call from a contact in Sabra neighborhood in Gaza reporting
that a would-be suicide bomber intended to enter Israel
imminently. Al-Shaykh said he immediately called his Israeli
Civil Affairs counterpart to report the name of the suspect.
He stressed that cooperation between the GoI and PA is
essential in the lead-up to the November international
meeting and said the PA must meet the GoI's security concerns
to get the political process moving.


7. (U) CODEL Ackerman did not have an opportunity to clear
on this cable.

DUFFY