Analysts point to start of ‘a period of uncertainty’

JERUSALEM – The absence of ailing Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat from the West Bank marks the end of an era and a turning point in the Arab-Israeli conflict, analysts say.

“This is without a doubt the end of an era and the start of a period of uncertainty, as he (Arafat) has not designated anyone to replace him,” said Makram Mohammed Ahmed, a well respected editorialist for the Egyptian weekly, Al-Musawar. The 75-year-old leader, who has come to symbolise the Palestinian struggle for statehood, may change his mind now that he is being treated in Paris for an unspecified illness and consider delegating power, he added.In the meantime, Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei and his predecessor Mahmud Abbas will grip the reigns of power, Palestinian officials say.For three years, Arafat was effectively blockaded in the Muqataa, his Ramallah headquarters, by the Israeli army.Several commentators said Arafat’s departure from Palestinian territory may be the spark needed to put back on track peace negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government and the Palestinians.”In the last few years Arafat was Mr Sharon’s alibi for not starting negotiations with the Palestinians,” said Uri Zaki, an advisor to Yossi Beilin, a former justice minister and an architect in the 1993 Oslo peace accords.”Now that Arafat is out of the political picture — for now at least — Sharon has lost this alibi,” Zaki added.”It is a good time to see whether Mr Sharon will go for negotiation with Qorei, the Palestinian Authority and the others to negotiate the withdrawal of Gaza as a bilateral approach.”The Israeli daily Haaretz expressed hope in an editorial that a reshuffle in the senior echelons of the Palestinian Authority “will largely do away with the old claim that there’s no partner for talks”.”The Palestinian leadership, feeling its way toward a new era, ought to be presented with a similar demand,” it said.”It must grasp that the disengagement plan is an opportunity to reach talks with Israel.”- Nampa-AFPThe 75-year-old leader, who has come to symbolise the Palestinian struggle for statehood, may change his mind now that he is being treated in Paris for an unspecified illness and consider delegating power, he added.In the meantime, Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qorei and his predecessor Mahmud Abbas will grip the reigns of power, Palestinian officials say.For three years, Arafat was effectively blockaded in the Muqataa, his Ramallah headquarters, by the Israeli army.Several commentators said Arafat’s departure from Palestinian territory may be the spark needed to put back on track peace negotiations between Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon’s government and the Palestinians.”In the last few years Arafat was Mr Sharon’s alibi for not starting negotiations with the Palestinians,” said Uri Zaki, an advisor to Yossi Beilin, a former justice minister and an architect in the 1993 Oslo peace accords.”Now that Arafat is out of the political picture — for now at least — Sharon has lost this alibi,” Zaki added.”It is a good time to see whether Mr Sharon will go for negotiation with Qorei, the Palestinian Authority and the others to negotiate the withdrawal of Gaza as a bilateral approach.”The Israeli daily Haaretz expressed hope in an editorial that a reshuffle in the senior echelons of the Palestinian Authority “will largely do away with the old claim that there’s no partner for talks”.”The Palestinian leadership, feeling its way toward a new era, ought to be presented with a similar demand,” it said.”It must grasp that the disengagement plan is an opportunity to reach talks with Israel.”- Nampa-AFP