PRESIDENT ABBAS DEMONSTRATES SUPPORT FOR FAYYAD,

C O N F I D E N T I A L SECTION 01 OF 02 JERUSALEM 000139 SIPDIS NEA FOR FRONT OFFICE, SEMEP, AND IPA; NSC FOR SHAPIRO/KUMAR; JOINT STAFF FOR LTGEN SELVA E.O. 12958: DECL: 01/21/2025 TAGS: PGOV PREL PTER KPAL KWBG IS SUBJECT: PRESIDENT ABBAS DEMONSTRATES SUPPORT FOR FAYYAD, PA DURING FATAH REVOLUTIONARY COUNCIL SECOND ASSEMBLY REF: A. 09 JERUSALEM 2296 ¶B. 09 JERUSALEM 1906 ¶C. JERUSALEM 47 Classified By: CG Daniel Rubinstein, per reasons 1.4 (b) and (d) ¶1. (C) Summary. The Fatah Revolutionary Council (FRC, Fatah's quasi-parliamentary body) held its second assembly January 15-19 in Ramallah, during which members of the FRC discussed the ongoing stalemate in negotiations with Israel and reconciliation with Hamas; reviewed reports and financial records submitted by the Fatah Central Committee (FCC); and discussed efforts to reinvigorate Fatah. Palestinian Authority (PA) President Mahmoud Abbas (Abu Mazen) spoke during the opening session, reiterating his refusal to return to negotiations without a settlement freeze or a U.S.-defined endgame. He expressed support for nonviolent "popular resistance" and repeated that he is ready to leave politics at the appropriate time. Heated discussions took place between the FRC and FCC members in attendance over whether FCC members should accept PA positions, and whether Abu Mazen should call on PA Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to reorganize his Cabinet. The FRC published a statement following the assembly on January 20, but FRC contacts reported that Abu Mazen removed portions of the statement that criticized Fayyad and the PA. End Summary. ABU MAZEN TO FRC: NO NEGOTIATIONS WITHOUT SETTLEMENT FREEZE -------------- ¶2. (C) During a speech at the opening session of the FRC's second assembly, held January 15-19 in Ramallah, Abu Mazen reiterated his unwillingness to resume negotiations without either a total settlement freeze or a U.S.-defined endgame for permanent status issues. He said, "we cannot resume negotiations if the U.S. fails to convince Israel to change its position on this issue." Abu Mazen called on Hamas to accept the Egyptian-drafted reconciliation document without amendments, and denied reports that Egypt is pressuring him to be more flexible with Israel and Hamas. He also made defensive comments over the Hamas-controlled al-Bireh Municipality's decision to name a square after bus hijacker and terrorist Dalal Mughrabi (Ref C). In response to press reports that Israeli officials were speculating about his departure from office, Abu Mazen said that he is ready to leave politics of his own volition when the opportunity arises. FRC DISCUSSIONS HEAT UP OVER FCC MEMBERS SERVING IN THE PA AND APPROVAL OF FAYYAD -------------- ¶3. (C) During subsequent meetings, the FRC discussed the political situation and issued recommendations in support of Abu Mazen's position. They also reviewed organizational and financial reports submitted by the FCC and FRC committees, and approved by-laws that were endorsed during the General Congress. According to Amin Maqbul, Speaker of the FRC, the discussion became heated over the issue of FCC members who simultaneously serve in PA positions. FRC members repeatedly raised a decision by the Fatah General Congress last August ordering FCC members to relinquish their positions before assuming PA responsibilities, according to FRC member Jamal al-Shati. FCC members in attendance told Post later that the discussion was "inconclusive." These members claimed that they had submitted resignations from PA positions, but that they continue to serve in those positions at the request of Abu Mazen. ¶4. (C) FRC discussions also focused on the performance of the PA under Fayyad. FRC member Nayif Swaytat said that FRC members Jamal al-Rub and Ibrahim Khrayshah were among many who attacked the PA and called for a Cabinet reshuffle. They claimed that Fayyad was deliberately sidelining Fatah in the West Bank, blaming his control of PA funds for Fatah's poor financial situation, according to Swaytat. Many FRC members called on Abu Mazen to appoint a Fatah member as Minister of Finance. Abu Mazen responded to these statements by telling the FRC that the "PA government acts on my behalf and represents me personally." When FRC members continued to criticize Fayyad, Abu Mazen left the room in protest, Swaytat said. ¶5. (C) The FRC endorsed a decision to create a 120-member advisory body, consisting largely of former Fatah officials who did not win seats in the FCC or FRC during last August's JERUSALEM 00000139 002 OF 002 General Congress, according to Ibrahim Khrayshah and Nayif Swaytat. Swaytat said the advisory body was intended as a means of courting Fatah members who had been marginalized by the Congress proceedings. The FRC also called for the formation of committees to oversee Fatah's efforts to reunite the West Bank and Gaza, and to serve as advisors to Fatah's district offices. ABU MAZEN EDITS FRC'S PUBLIC STATEMENT TO BOOST SUPPORT FOR HIMSELF, ELIMINATE CRITICISM OF PA -------------- -- ¶6. (C) Swaytat and al-Shati told Post that the FRC prepared a public statement, part of which criticized Fayyad and called for a Cabinet reorganization. However, al-Shati said, Abu Mazen met with senior Fatah officials as the assembly concluded -- including Amin Maqbul and FCC member Azzam al-Ahmad -- and edited the statement to remove criticism of the PA, and to add language supporting Abu Mazen and praising the PA, particularly the security forces and Fayyad's effort to boycott settlement products. The final draft of the statement, which was published on January 20, affirmed Abu Mazen's decision not to return to negotiations without a total settlement freeze and highlighted the concept of "popular resistance," encouraging all Fatah members to enhance their efforts to resist settler encroachment through non-violent means. RUBINSTEIN