RAMALLAH // Before the resumption of unity talks next month, Egypt has sent a paper to Palestinian factions detailing its proposal for Palestinian reconciliation. The sketchy details of the proposal surprisingly do not mention anything about the formation of a unity government. Instead, the document focuses on the reform of security services, creation of a multi-faction committee to oversee preparations for new elections, to be held in the first half of 2010, and the release of detainees.
The Egyptian proposal was sent to all Palestinian factions on Thursday. So far, there have been no official reactions from any of the parties, including the two main estranged factions, Hamas and Fatah. They have promised to study the proposal and reactions are expected in a few days. But already objections have been voiced. Azzam al Ahmed, the head of Fatah's parliamentary bloc, said the suggestion to hold new elections in the first half of 2010 rather than at the end of January was "astonishing".
Fatah has consistently insisted that presidential and parliamentary elections be held on January 25, in line with the Palestinian constitution, the Basic Law, which stipulates that elections be held every four years. However, the last presidential elections were held in 2005, and one deadline has already passed. Having held its sixth conference last month in Bethlehem, Fatah is keen to maintain a momentum that in recent opinion polls has seen the movement establish a clear lead over Hamas. Nevertheless, Fatah has also maintained that there will be no elections in the West Bank alone, the possible consequence of trying to hold elections without a unity agreement.
For its part, Hamas is more focused on the issue of reform of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), the internationally recognised representative body of the Palestinian people. The Egyptian proposal calls for elections to the Palestine National Council, the PNC, the main body of the PLO, alongside the presidential and parliamentary elections to the Palestinian Authority. This is a key demand of Hamas, but it necessitates that Islamist parties gain entry to the organisation. Neither Hamas nor Islamic Jihad are represented in the PLO.
Another key issue in unity negotiations is reform of the security services. According to the Egyptian proposal, Palestinian factions will form a committee, comprising multiple factions and under Egyptian supervision, to professionalise the Palestinian security services. Hamas has rejected such foreign oversight before, although more importantly for the Islamist movement is the rejection of security co-ordination with Israel.
In comments to the Maan news agency, Ahmed Baher, the deputy speaker of the Palestinian Legislative Council, said Hamas wanted to reorganise Palestinian security forces so they "protected the homeland, not Israel". Moreover, Mr Baher said, unity negotiations should "serve the Palestinian interest", not Israeli or US agendas. The key point about the Egyptian proposal, however, may not lie in its details but rather how it reflects what Egypt believes is realistic. Cairo has clearly put in a significant effort to bridge the differences between the two sides, and neither will be happy with the specifics of the proposal; nor can any side claim that Egypt is favouring one over the other.
Thus, there is no proposal for a unity government, an admission from Cairo that the current status quo will continue, with Fatah in control of the West Bank and Hamas of Gaza. This will please neither Fatah, which does not recognise the legitimacy of Hamas control over Gaza, nor Hamas, which considers the government of Salam Fayyad to be unconstitutional. Instead, Egypt is proposing that a factional committee be set up to oversee preparations for elections. Clearly, Cairo has come to the conclusion that full Palestinian unity cannot happen until after such elections take place.
Cairo has also recognised that the likelihood of holding elections in early 2010 is slim. The key concession, said Mkhaimer Abusada, an analyst based in Gaza, was on the date for elections. "The Egyptians know that time is running out for holding elections in January and that without reconciliation there will be no elections. They also wanted to counter accusations that they had been pro-Fatah. By leaving a date for elections open, Cairo is trying to reach out to Hamas."
Mr Abusada said it would be hard for Fatah to reject the Egyptian proposal because the movement had consistently praised Egyptian mediation efforts. Moreover, he said, all factions were interested that unity talks resumed. "I don't think there will be a successful conclusion to unity talks soon," Mr Abusada said. "But the Egyptian proposal has at least given them something to talk about, and I think unity negotiations will resume after the holiday."
After that, however, ironing out the details will probably take a long time. That in turn means it is unlikely elections can be held in January. okarmi@thenational.ae
