Word: arafats
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Dates: during 1990-1999
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...Though Arafat's arrival in the Gaza Strip marked another step toward the beginning of Palestinian self-rule, much remains to be done. Public security was successfully handed over to Palestinian security forces in May. But civilian administration of Gaza and Jericho -- in such matters as education, health, taxation, postal service -- has remained in limbo. Arafat has named 18 of the 24 members of the Palestinian Authority that will administer the areas until elections are held, but they have established no real control yet. Hours before Arafat's appearance last week, Haidar Abdel-Shafi, a former Palestinian negotiator, said...
There is considerable doubt about how swiftly Arafat will delegate real responsibility to the Authority and when elections for a Palestinian legislative council will be held. One of his lieutenants has proposed that he appoint a vice-chairman of the Authority to be responsible for running the territorial governments day-to-day, pending elections that would possibly take place next year. But Arafat has shown no inclination to accept that plan or any other that would require him to share his power. "The Palestinian Authority," complains a senior P.L.O. official, "consists entirely of yes- men." Says a Western diplomat: "Arafat...
...Arafat's closest associates -- Farouk Kaddoumi and Mahmoud Abbas -- decided to stay on at P.L.O. headquarters in Tunis rather than join the new Authority in the territories. They are not convinced that Arafat will ever delegate responsibility. Another adviser says, "He wants to be the leader of a Palestinian state just like all the other Arab leaders whose authority is absolute...
...They consider themselves high achievers, entrepreneurs, educated and democratic, and they swear they will establish the first true Arab democracy. They now have their chance to prove it, and they are worried that they may end up with another Arab autocracy like Libya, Syria or, at best, Egypt. Arafat's established style of leadership does not reassure them...
MIDDLE EAST: The Return of Yasser Arafat...