Word: fatah
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...meantime, the rebellion against Palestine Liberation Organization Chairman Yasser Arafat from the ranks of his Fatah organization spread unexpectedly. Mutineers seized six Fatah military supply depots in the Damascus area. The mutiny was given a further boost by news that the commander of Fatah's civilian militia forces in Lebanon, Mousa Awad, had joined the rebels. Awad charged that Arafat and his supporters had been "deluded by American schemes." Heavy fighting reportedly broke out at week's end near the ancient city of Baalbek in eastern Lebanon between Awad's men and troops loyal to Arafat...
...upset over Arafat's recent tendencies toward moderation, notably his series of discussions with Jordan's King Hussein on President Reagan's Sept. 1 peace initiative, which called for the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza Strip to be linked to Jordan. Left-wing elements within Fatah oppose any settlement that would give the Palestinians less than a wholly sovereign and independent state, however unrealistic that goal may be. They in effect vetoed Arafat's attempts to reach an agreement with Hussein that would have allowed the Jordanian King to pursue the Reagan initiative in alliance...
...Syrian government formed a committee of three senior officials to mediate between Arafat and the dissidents. But the group's initial proposals reportedly were heavily weighted in favor of the rebels. In addition to giving the dissidents strong representation in Fatah's councils, the Syrians are said to have suggested that the original leader of the revolt, Colonel Said Mousa, be named Arafat's chief military deputy...
Arafat responded with a campaign of persuasion, urging the rebels to return peaceably to their ranks. Then when Gaddafi gave a speech denouncing Fatah's "reactionary leaders," Arafat lashed out at him for his mischief making and, more important, was able to portray the mutiny as a result of external interference. Gaddafi has been none too popular with the Palestinian leadership since last summer, when he told Arafat that P.L.O. fighters should commit suicide rather than leave Beirut...
According to an Arafat lieutenant, all but about 50 of the mutineers have returned to the Fatah fold. Of these 50, all but Abu Mousa and four other officers who have disobeyed direct orders will still be permitted to return to the ranks, supposedly with no questions asked. Abu Mousa and the four others are not likely to get off so easily...