Frozen efforts may still lead to reconciliation

an interview with   Mahmoud al-Ramahi

BI: It seems Egyptian mediation efforts between Fateh and Hamas are stuck. Is that a correct reading of the situation?

Ramahi: Let's say they are frozen.

BI: What happened?

Ramahi: The dialogue started at the beginning of this year, as you know. After eight months, Fateh and Hamas reached compromise on all outstanding issues. But in the final proposal from Egypt we find that two or three points are different than what we agreed with Fateh. That's why we refused to sign.

BI: What were the changes?

Ramahi: According to our agreement with Fateh, the high committee for elections should be composed of a representative from every faction and Mahmoud Abbas would be the coordinator. But according to the Egyptian proposal, the elections committee will be formed by Abbas, and it is not obligatory for him to consult with other factions. We agreed that this would be an obligation.

The second change was about reconciliation and compensation for those who were dismissed from jobs in the West Bank or Gaza and for the families of those who died under torture in Palestinian jails, as well as about the re-opening of institutions in both Gaza and the West Bank. The Egyptians added a contingency, that this should be so only if there is the budget for it.

This is a big problem. In the West Bank, for example, some 1,000 people were fired from government jobs. If Salam Fayyad says there is no money or the positions are filled, then this clause becomes meaningless.

The third point is about political prisoners. We agreed that all political prisoners had to be released in both the West Bank and Gaza before any reconciliation is signed. But that hasn't happened yet.

BI: Why do you think Cairo made these last minute changes?

Ramahi: On the day the proposal was released, October 11, George Mitchell was in Cairo. We are concerned that the Americans interfered with the proposal, especially on the elections committee point. If there is a non-neutral elections committee it can affect the vote.

BI: You think that the Americans wanted to ensure that any elections favored the party they want to win?

Ramahi: The White House speaker has said that Washington would not recognize elections in which the party that wins did not accept the Quartet conditions. That is interference. When you tell the people of Gaza you have two choices--you either vote for Fateh or the siege continues--this is interference.

The US wants elections but wants to ensure that the outcome favors Fateh. And until now, America is not certain that free and fair elections will favor Fateh.

BI: Hamas has said it will not allow elections in Gaza if they are held on January 24. Why?

Ramahi: Yes, and Hamas closed the office of the Central Elections Committee in Gaza, because it is no longer legal. That committee was for the 2006 elections. According to Palestinian law, there has to be a new Central Elections Committee.

If elections are held in January, it will only be here in the West Bank, not in Gaza and most likely not in Jerusalem. The Israelis will not allow them there. This will mean the end of any hope for reconciliation for a very long time.

BI: What is the solution, then? Both factions say unity is a priority, but their positions seem to be getting further and further apart.

Ramahi: Hamas has agreed to sign the Egyptian proposal without changing it, as long as we get a letter of guarantee from Egypt on the three points I mentioned. For instance, Egypt will guarantee that the elections committee is composed of members of all factions, the Arab League will guarantee funding for compensation, and prisoners will be released after no longer than a period of two months.

If we receive such a letter of guarantee, it will allow us to sign the agreement and that could provide a solution. Right now, my feeling is that the Egyptians are postponing giving us such a letter in order to give Hamas as little time as possible to prepare for elections in June.

BI: So although there is a delay, you are confident that there will be agreement?

Ramahi: Yes, maybe next month, maybe in January.- Published 12/11/2009 © bitterlemons-international.org.

Mahmoud al-Ramahi is a Hamas legislator.