RAMALLAH, West Bank – Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat yesterday ordered an investigation into the shooting of an outspoken critic of his unrelenting grip on power, as Palestinian officials warned of dire consequences for law and order in their territory.
Nabil Amr, the lawmaker seriously wounded by a gunman, issued a plea for calm and hinted that someone was trying to silence him. The unidentified assailant fired at Amr from the open balcony of his home in the West Bank city of Ramallah late Tuesday, hitting him twice in the leg, said his son Tarek.An advocate of reforms for years, Amr had increased his criticism of Arafat in recent days as the leader refused to relax his control over security forces.Palestinian officials condemned the shooting and warned of serious ramifications.A spate of kidnappings and riots plunged the West Bank and Gaza Strip into turmoil in recent days, leading to a reshuffling of the Palestinian security forces and the resignation of the prime minister.”If we can’t restore public order and law… this will bring the greatest damage to the Palestinian people and their cause,” said senior Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat.”It’s the whole social fabric that is collapsing now.”Arafat ordered police to investigate the shooting, said the governor of Ramallah, Mustafa Eisa.Some Palestinian analysts said Arafat’s supporters were interested in silencing critics of his authority.Arafat called Amr yesterday to inquire about his condition and sent body guards to protect him, the Palestinian news service, Wafa, reported.The shooting came hours after prime minister Ahmed Qureia refused to retract his resignation if Arafat does not share power with his cabinet, further throwing the government into crisis.Arafat has rejected the resignation, leaving Qureia’s status in limbo.”This is proof that this curse must be stopped,” Qureia said yesterday about the recent violence, while on his way to visit Amr.”This is a blow to us all, not just to Nabil.This must be investigated and we will investigate.”Israel, the United States and backers of Mideast peace have pressed Arafat to relinquish some of his absolute authority.Israel blames Arafat for nearly four years of fighting, accusing him of refusing to rein in militant organisations.- Nampa-APThe unidentified assailant fired at Amr from the open balcony of his home in the West Bank city of Ramallah late Tuesday, hitting him twice in the leg, said his son Tarek.An advocate of reforms for years, Amr had increased his criticism of Arafat in recent days as the leader refused to relax his control over security forces.Palestinian officials condemned the shooting and warned of serious ramifications.A spate of kidnappings and riots plunged the West Bank and Gaza Strip into turmoil in recent days, leading to a reshuffling of the Palestinian security forces and the resignation of the prime minister.”If we can’t restore public order and law… this will bring the greatest damage to the Palestinian people and their cause,” said senior Palestinian cabinet minister Saeb Erekat.”It’s the whole social fabric that is collapsing now.”Arafat ordered police to investigate the shooting, said the governor of Ramallah, Mustafa Eisa.Some Palestinian analysts said Arafat’s supporters were interested in silencing critics of his authority.Arafat called Amr yesterday to inquire about his condition and sent body guards to protect him, the Palestinian news service, Wafa, reported.The shooting came hours after prime minister Ahmed Qureia refused to retract his resignation if Arafat does not share power with his cabinet, further throwing the government into crisis.Arafat has rejected the resignation, leaving Qureia’s status in limbo.”This is proof that this curse must be stopped,” Qureia said yesterday about the recent violence, while on his way to visit Amr.”This is a blow to us all, not just to Nabil.This must be investigated and we will investigate.”Israel, the United States and backers of Mideast peace have pressed Arafat to relinquish some of his absolute authority.Israel blames Arafat for nearly four years of fighting, accusing him of refusing to rein in militant organisations.- Nampa-AP
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