Abbas vows to follow Arafat
2004-12-29 10:10
Jericho - Leading candidate Mahmoud Abbas received a loud and warm welcome in the isolated West Bank, in a campaign visit ahead of a January 9 election to replace Yasser Arafat, telling his backers that he will follow Arafat's policies.
About 4 000 supporters filled Jericho's little soccer stadium on Tuesday for Abbas' speech, where he repeated themes from earlier remarks.
He was continuing Arafat's efforts toward an independent state in the West Bank, Gaza and Jerusalem and a solution for refugees allowing them to return to their original homes in Israel.
Israel is quietly backing Abbas, who has only one serious opponent, Mustafa Barghouti, a human rights campaigner.
Israel sees Abbas as a moderate pragmatist who has spoken out against anti-Israel violence.
Achieving Palestinian goals
However, with Abbas' constant references to Arafat's legacy, Israelis are wondering if Abbas is simply trying to trade on Arafat's popularity, or whether, once in office, he will remain as uncompromising as his predecessor.
Israel boycotted Arafat, charging he was involved in attacks against Israelis.
No answers were forthcoming on Tuesday.
Abbas' only reference to anti-Israel violence was indirect, saying the only way to achieve Palestinian goals is through negotiation.
In a show of faith in Abbas' intentions, the US government transferred $20m in cash to the Palestinian Authority.
A government statement issued on Tuesday said the transfer underlines "US confidence in the Palestinian Authority's reform program."
The statement said the Palestinian finance ministry would allocate the money for its needs.
Before Arafat's death, donors were hesitant to transfer cash because of corruption charges and Arafat's refusal to approve reforms.
'No to internal conflict'
Although he is favoured to win the presidential vote, Abbas lacks the popular appeal of Yasser Arafat, and the warm reception he received as he entered stadium in Jericho.
Jericho is an oasis and Fatah stronghold in the parched Jordan River Valley far away from other West Bank population centres, gave his candidacy a boost of legitimacy.
Arafat died November 11 in a French hospital.
Prompting cheers from the crowd, he said: "We are all children of this nation. We must say no to Palestinian fighting and no to internal conflict."
Abbas also said his people would "not rest" until they have an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, with east Jerusalem as its capital.
He also called for resolution of the Palestinian refugee problem in accordance with a 1948 UN resolution that includes return of refugees to their homes in Israel - a deal-breaker for the Israelis.
He said: "We choose peace negotiations as the path toward our rights. We do not want more than our rights."
- AP