Arafat enraged at Jordon and Syria
Amman's AL MAJD 6/14/99: "Al-Majd has learned that Yasir 'Arafat has launched a
scathing attack on the Jordanian and Syrian leaderships, accusing them of collusion
against him and also of coordinating behind his back, at his expense, and to the detriment
of the Palestinian track.
At a private and lengthy meeting with Fatah leaders in the week before last, 'Arafat
said that the new Jordanian leadership--without mentioning any names--has effected a
rapprochement with Syria and effectively turned its back to the Palestinian Authority,
even though its discourse has not apparently changed and despite the fact that its formal
contacts with us have not ceased.
'Arafat added that the Jordanian leadership gives priority to activating talks on the
Syrian and Lebanese tracks over the Palestinian track. Moreover, it is busy promoting the
Syrians in Washington and London. Its interest in supporting and promoting the Palestinian
Authority with Western capitals is no longer paramount, he noted.
'Arafat, who was trembling with anger and exhaustion, said that what is currently
taking place in Jordan is different from what was happening in the past. The previous
leadership extended every possible support and backing to the Palestinian track while
neglecting the Syrian and Lebanese tracks, 'Arafat noted.
In a significant insinuation, 'Arafat said that through their recent visit to us in
Gaza, the brothers in the Jordanian leadership sought to inform us of some of the future
policies and plans they agreed upon with President Clinton and the US Administration. They
sought to make fun of us by a bogus visit. Meanwhile, their sympathies lay with Syria,
'Arafat pointed out.
'Arafat said that he is aware of the price that Jordan wants Syria to pay in return for
its full and blanket support for Syria's positions. 'Arafat mentioned the price, which
al-Majd declines to publish. Al-Majd can only say that this price has something to do with
alleged Jordanian plans in both Palestine and Iraq.
With regard to the Syrian leadership, 'Arafat said that it has been holding grudges
against him for a very long time, because he consecrated the independent Palestinian
decisionmaking, thus depriving Syria of an important bargaining chip. Syria wanted to use
Palestine and Lebanon as bargaining chips, he noted.
'Arafat revealed that he lost face when he has recently asked several Arab leaders to
embark on a mediation effort with the Syrian rulers--he did not mention names--; however,
the Syrian leaders, thanks to their stubbornness and rejectionism, closed all doors for a
reconciliation and fomented differences and sensitivities with both Egypt and Saudi
Arabia.
'Arafat severely criticized the Syrian leadership, saying that it is jealous of the
special relationship he is maintaining with Egypt. The Syrian leadership, he maintained,
has managed to disturb his strong relationship with Jordan. Moreover, it has embraced the
remnants of Palestinian opposition leaders. Likewise, it offered Ahmad Yasin [Hamas
leader] the reception usually reserved to conquerors, not out of respect for the person of
Yasin, but to spite me.
This was prompted by a desire to depict me before the world as a person who does not
represent all the Palestinian people, as a person who cannot be trusted with the
Palestinian national cause, 'Arafat said.
'Arafat noted that President Husni Mubarak's imminent visit to Washington is aimed at
sounding out Washington's views regarding the plans for a solution on the Palestinian
track. Moreover, this visit will prepare for 'Arafat's own visit to Washington soon,
especially since Egypt has always been committed to supporting the Palestinian efforts.
With regard to Jordan, it has now turned to Syria, 'Arafat contended.
In this regard, Quds Press quoted Palestinian Presidency Secretary General al-Tayyib
'Abd-al-Rahim in a Gaza-datelined report on Wednesday [9 June] as saying that the
Palestinian Authority is ready to turn a new leaf in its relations with Syria. However, he
accused Damascus of hampering the efforts to convene a five-way summit that would have
brought together Syria, Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon, and the Palestinian Authority.
He urged Damascus to demonstrate greater flexibility to bring about improved ties. He
said that Syria scuttled the efforts to convene a five-way summit of the cordon states
called for by Egypt following the announcement of the results of the Israeli general
elections and the victory win of Israeli Labor Party leader Ehud Baraq over Binyamin
Netanyahu..."
Anti-Arafat move in Fatah
Abu Dhabi's AL ITTIHAD 6/14/99: "In a message addressed to the Jordanian
leadership, Palestinian President Yasir 'Arafat has urged the Jordanian Government to
intervene with his own leadership and dissuade Fatah movement partisans in Jordan from
taking part in what 'Arafat called "an internal conspiracy," being concocted by
some of his veteran comrades in Fatah movement to embarrass him.
Meanwhile, closely informed sources said that senior Fatah leaders have begun an
intensive anti-'Arafat move in some Arab capitals, denouncing the Palestinian president,
urging his overthrow, and blaming him for "the historic concessions the PLO has made
to Israel." Sources in Amman disclosed that senior Fatah leaders in some capitals,
including Amman, Tunis, Cairo, and Damascus, have begun a serious anti-'Arafat move.
The sources said that 'Arafat's message addressed to Jordanian King 'Abdallah II
Bin-Husayn personally says that an internal "conspiracy" is being cooked on a
calm fire with a direct support from the Jordanian Islamic current, some of whose leaders
are close to Fatah movement, and Hamas [Islamic Resistance Movement] leaders.
The direct goal of these moves, about which 'Arafat is talking, has not been known yet.
But Arafat's reaction, as well as his message asking for support, expresses his feeling
that a serious move inside the mainstream Palestinian organization is targeting him
personally.
In his message, 'Arafat requested the Jordanian Government to use its influence on some
Amman-based Fatah leaders and the Jordanian Islamic current, which supports, from behind
the scenes, an internal anti-'Arafat move inside and outside the occupied territories.
'Arafat accuses Fatah opposition groups of trying to prevent him from investing the recent
change in the Israeli leadership and to foil plans to reach a final solution to the
Palestine question. 'Arafat also says that prominent leaders of the Jordanian Islamic
Action Front [IAF] extend political support to the current move inside Fatah in order to
embarrass him.
In this regard, Palestinian reports refer to the "hawks" wing in the
Jordanian Islamic movement represented by Muhammad Abu-Faris, Hammam Sa'id, and
'Abd-al-Mun'im Abu-Zant, a prominent Islamic figure, who was close to Fatah movement
before the start of the peace process. 'Arafat said that the IAF leaders are launching an
internal political war against him, wondering whether the Jordanian Government has taken
measures in response to that war.
In Amman and Tunis, an anti-Palestinian Authority political move by Fatah movement has
been under way over the past two days. According to the most accurate information, the
move is basically led by Faruq Qaddumi and Mahir Abu-Ghunaym in Tunis and Major General
Muhammad Jihad Ibrahim in Amman. A series of unattributed statements attacking 'Arafat and
his comrades has recently been issued in the Palestinian territories."
Barak and Arafat
MA'ARIV 6/13/99: "Prime Minister-elect Ehud Baraq has sent a secret message to
Palestinian Authority Chairman Yasir 'Arafat via Dani Yatom, Baraq's bureau chief of
staff. The message was relayed in a phone talk between Yatom and 'Arafat in the last few
days. In the message, Baraq asked 'Arafat to show patience and wait for the establishment
of the new government in Israel.
The message further says that the decision to expand Ma'ale Adumim's municipal
boundaries (plan E-1) will be reexamined, and that all the decisions regarding the
negotiations and the implementation of the Wye accords will be reached by mutual
agreement.
The Palestinians received similar messages last week from Shim'on Peres, who came
across senior Palestinian officials, including Abu-'Ala' [Ahmad Quray'], in a Jerusalem
event. Peres told Abu-'Ala' that Baraq plans to establish a government and only then will
the negotiations be resumed, therefore patience must be shown."
Campaign for Iranian Jews
YEDIOT AHARONOT 6/15/99: "Deputy Prime Minister Moshe Qatzav yesterday met the
representatives of the families of the 13 Iranian Jews who were arrested on suspicion of
spying for Israel and promised them that the government is doing everything possible to
effect their release.
Minister Qatzav emphasized that despite the constraints, Israel is making efforts in
the international community to bring about the release of the detainees. Qatzav claims
that dozens of religious and political leaders worldwide are exerting heavy pressure on
Tehran, and hopefully the international pressure will help.
Foreign Minister Ari'el Sharon yesterday said Israel is acting in "full
swing" to assist the detainees. Sharon sent personal letters on this issue to the US
Secretary of State and the Russian Foreign Minister, the King of Morocco, the leaders of
the EU countries, Japan, and several Muslim countries, such as Mauritania and Senegal. In
the letters, he asked the leaders to intervene with the Iranian authorities in a bid to
help the innocent Jews.
Sharon said he is acting in coordination with outgoing Prime Minister Netanyahu and
Prime Minister-Elect Baraq. "We are doing everything possible and necessary in order
to extricate these Jews, who have never acted as agents on behalf of Israel or any other
intelligence organization," Sharon told Qol Yisra'el. "We have to believe and
hope that they will not be harmed."
Russia concerned re Iranian Jews
Moscow's ITAR-TASS NEWS AGENCY 6/14/99: "The Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday
expressed concern over reports about the arrest of 13 Iranian Jews on espionage charges in
the province of Fars, Iran. The detainees were charged with spying for Israel and the
United States and will probably face decapitation. Deputy Foreign Minister Viktor
Posuvalyuk had already contacted with the Iranian ambassador in Moscow to discuss the fate
of these people, the ministry's statement said.
He expressed hope that this problem will be solved "in an open manner and with an
account for a humane potential underlying Islam." The Iranian promised to forward
Russia's message to Tehran as soon as possible and provide Russia with further information
on this subject, the statement said."
Citing Pollard, Iran accuses US of 'Double standard'
ARUTZ7 6/16/99: "Accusations against the United States of "hypocrisy"
and "double standards" regarding the Pollard affair emanate now from none other
than - Iran! Iran's ire was raised because the U.S. insists that Iran should release its
13 imprisoned Jews, but at the same time refuses to release Jonathan Pollard.
Voice of Israel senior correspondent Mickey Gurdis quoted Radio Teheran's announcement
that the U.S. has rejected every request for the release of Israeli spy Jonathan Pollard,
including a personal request by Prime Minister Netanyahu at Wye Plantation.
A senior Israeli official cautioned that the Radio Teheran accusation "must be
seen as a wake-up call to the American administration, because allowing the Pollard case
to go unresolved tarnishes America's reputation in the international community." He
added, "Regimes such as Iran will exploit the [Pollard] case to call into question
the credibility of the U.S. as a defender of due process and judicial fairness."
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