Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas reiterated
his opposition to using force against rejectionist
Palestinian groups on Monday, saying the only alternative to
dialogue is dialogue. It was not clear how he could make
progress on terrorism as called for by the road map without
using force, since Hamas and the Islamic Jihad have declared
that they are continuing the armed struggle.
Abbas said he would continue to push Palestinian factions to
declare a cease-fire, warning that terrorist attacks are
complicating the situation and jeopardizing the peace
process.
It was Abbas's first press conference since he became prime
minister four weeks ago. He has sparked the ire of many
Palestinians following his speech at the Aqaba summit last
week, where he vowed to end the armed intifadah. The press
conference was seen as an attempt to ease tensions with
Hamas, which announced over the weekend its decision to
boycott Abbas to protest his "humiliating" speech.
Abbas said: "The ones who are not interested in negotiations
are the ones who are responsible for the continued suffering
of the Palestinian people, who are in need of solutions."
He said he is determined to pursue talks with Hamas and other
groups in a bid to persuade them to accept a cease-fire. But,
he added, "We are forcing no one" to take part in the cease-
fire talks.
In Washington, President George W. Bush expressed confidence
that Abbas would crack down on terrorists, despite Abbas's
public pledge. Asked why he is optimistic in light of Abbas's
statements and following the killing of the soldiers, Bush
said he is optimistic "because I was able to listen to the
prime ministers of Israel, of the Palestinian Authority, talk
about the need for peace and for a state."
He said Abbas had promised him personally, and the Israelis,
that he would "work as hard as he can to fight off those
elements within the territories that want to use violence to
destroy any hope for peace."
He added: "I understand there's going to be a lot of work to
do. But I'm prepared to lead."
On the explosive issue of the right of return, Abbas, who has
been strongly condemned for failing to mention the subject in
his controversial speech, said: "We cannot accept the Israeli
objection on this topic."
He also promised that his cabinet would place the issue of
prisoners at the top of its priorities and would demand their
release. Abbas has also been attacked for failing to raise
the issue of the prisoners during the Aqaba speech.
"What I announced in Aqaba and Sharm e-Sheikh is the position
to which we are committed, and it has been fully coordinated
with President Yasser Arafat," he said. He also said he would
seek Palestinian Legislative Council backing for his Aqaba
speech.
Attending the press conference was Ahmed Jbarra, a prisoner
who was released last week after spending 28 years in prison
for his role in the 1975 refrigerator bombing in Jerusalem's
Kikar Zion.
The Israeli Prime Minister's Office had no official comment
on Abbas's comments, saying all that counts now are
actions.
A senior Foreign Ministry official, however, was more upbeat,
saying that Abbas's remarks were significant in that he did
not backtrack from his commitments at Aqaba.
