A rchive Date
[ 18-03-2003 ]
Category
[ International Relations ]
sub-Categoy
[ Palestine ]
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[http://cnews.canoe.ca/CNEWS/World/2003/03/18/45191-ap.html
Arafat power proposal rebuffed
Tue, March 18, 2003
RAMALLAH, West Bank (AP) - The Palestinian parliament on Tuesday gave final approval to a bill defining the role of a future prime minister and rebuffed attempts by President Yasser Arafat to dilute the authority of the new post.
Arafat has been wrangling with an increasingly assertive parliament over giving some of his sweeping powers to a prime minister. Ahead of Tuesday's parliament session, he dropped a demand to retain a say over appointing cabinet ministers. His defeat in that dispute signalled a further weakening of his influence - a process that began about a year ago amid growing dissatisfaction among Palestinians with his leadership.
The bill defining the role of the prime minister was approved with 69 votes and one abstention in the 88-member parliament. Arafat now has to sign the legislation and formally offer the job to his preferred candidate, Mahmoud Abbas, the No. 2 in the PLO. Abbas is also the candidate favoured by the United States and Israel.
The power struggle between Arafat and the parliament is closely watched by international Mideast mediators who have sought to sideline the Palestinian president.
U.S. President George W. Bush said last week that installing a credible Palestinian prime minister with real powers is a prerequisite for unveiling a U.S.-backed three-year "road map" to Palestinian statehood.
Last month, Arafat agreed - under intense international pressure - to appoint a prime minister.
Last week, parliament gave preliminary approval to legislation defining the powers of the prime minister. He was given control over running the government, including the right to appoint, supervise and fire cabinet ministers - a task that was until now the sole preserve of Arafat. The Palestinian president retained command over the security forces and final say over peace talks with Israel.
After last week's parliament vote, Arafat sought three amendments, including a demand that a new cabinet be "presented" to him. The wording was vague, but legislators suspicious of his intentions feared he was trying to retain a say over appointments, which would significantly weaken the prime minister.
On Monday, parliament rejected Arafat's demand by a vote of 49-22. Late Monday, Arafat convened legislators from his Fatah movement, who have a majority in parliament, in hopes of persuading them to support his request.
However, legislators declined, and Arafat dropped his demand, Ibrahim Abu Naja, a Fatah legislator who participated in the meeting, said Tuesday.
"He (Arafat) decided to give up his demand to participate in the forming of the government," said Abu Naja, adding that legislators promised Arafat he would be informed - as a courtesy - of the composition of a future cabinet before it is presented to parliament for approval. Arafat is free to offer advice to the prime minister, but will not be able to impose his wishes, Abu Naja said.
 World Fact Book (CIA)]
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