The new interim Palestinian leadership has agreed to avoid a crackdown against insurgency groups. Palestinian Authority officials said the leadership that succeeded PA Chairman Yasser Arafat decided that PA security forces would not be employed against insurgency groups that do not threaten the new regime. The officials said the decision was relayed to several Arab allies as well as the United States. "The policy is that there will be dialogue and mutual respect between the PA and armed groups," a PA official said. "In another few months, this policy could be reviewed."
| "Assuming any of us are left alive, of course..." |
Officials said the policy was instituted in an effort to maintain stability in the West Bank and Gaza Strip for the Palestinian elections on Nov. 9. They said that during the campaign the interim PA leadership -- composed of PLO chairman Mahmoud Abbas and PA Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei -- would not force insurgency groups to agree to a ceasefire. |