Dear Readers
Here is the digest for November 2sd, 2004


PA Passes Arafat's Absence Test
Analysis-Ghassan Andoni-IMEMC, November 2, 2004

Palestinian Authority leadership institutes smoothly took over
responsibilities in the sudden absence of Palestinian President Yasser
Arafat, who was moved to a French hospital for medical treatment.

Even when the ailing President was the unchallenged center of decision
making in all aspects of Palestinian public life, all the leading PA
and PLO institutions assumed responsibility and continued to function.

Many commentators expected that the absence of the central leader will
create an impossible to fill vacuum, some even expected an earthquake
like effect that would set Palestinian areas in a difficult state of
chaos.

Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei and former Prime Minister
Mahmoud Abbas temporarily assumed Arafat's responsibilities. Qurei
headed the Palestinian National Security Council in addition to his
rule as a Prime Minister; Abbas headed both the PLO executive
committee and Fatah's central committee.

This move was defacto approved as the Palestinian Legislative Council
decided that the existing laws are sufficient to deal with the
temporary absence of the 75-years old leader.

Many commentators were impressed with the spirit of reconciliation
within the PA, PLO leadership. The smooth and quite return of Abbas to
head Fatah's central committee after 18 months of deep differences
that led to his resignation was most impressing.

As well, Hamas Spokesperson Usama Hamdan confirmed that constructive
dialogue between the Islamic movement and the current PA leadership
was ongoing, and could produce positive results soon.

Hamas's openness to cooperate with the PA in the absence of Arafat
could refute long standing allegations that Arafat was the only leader
capable of cooperating with resistance groups, especially the Islamic
ones.

So far there are no signs of panic on the leadership level, there are
no signs of chaos within the Palestinian areas, and most important, no
sign of serious power struggles within the PA civil or security
establishments.

So far most arrangements were made as take caring procedures, it's
likely that all are waiting further news on the health condition of
Arafat, nevertheless, the PA appears to be more solid than many have
expected.