Trying to make them stop

Abu Mazen's attempt to reach a cease-fire with Israel drew mixed responses in the week's press, says Alaa Abdel-Ghani

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A formal cease-fire agreement between Palestinian activist groups and Israel has yet to be produced, yet every move made towards that direction by the broker, newly elected Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas, is being scrutinised.

From commentaries in the Palestinian newspaper Al-Ayam : "The Palestinian factions feel and truly understand that the conditions surrounding the Palestinian cause -- both at home and abroad -- have changed. Abu Mazen [Abbas] has a broad public mandate to end the Intifada's militarisation and prioritise the political approach... Our people have tired of their continuing harsh living conditions caused by some of the resistance operations."

"Developments behind the scenes, the dialogue and what is happening on the ground lead us to believe that the factions have taken on board the need to adapt, revise their thinking and consider a cease-fire... The realism of Abu Mazen's policy may yet snatch more and more of the political initiative from the [Israeli] government's hand, because the Palestinians have swept away the first obstacle to the roadmap."

"Experience shows that the Palestinian people have no choice but responsible and constructive dialogue, not the dialogue of pre-conditions... The other forces must also respect the legitimacy, the language of dialogue and its results."

"The deployment of Palestinian security forces in the no-man's land in the northern Gaza Strip is the first test of its kind for the Palestinian Authority's ability to control its territories... Any attempt by Palestinian factions to penetrate this deployment will look like a bid to scupper the democratic march."

"Now the Palestinians will look with disdain at any patronising political expressions from Israel about goodwill gestures... We are now in a competitive negotiating position because our achievements since president [Yasser] Arafat's death are the test of our self-worth."

"For the president to win the people's hearts, he must start with the people's concerns before he pleases any foreign force."

Al-Quds, also of Palestine, had these contributions: "A large percentage of the Palestinian people favour giving peace a chance to test whether the US, Israeli and the international community's intentions, plans and initiatives are serious."

"There are two essential factors without which a cease-fire will be impossible: a mutual end to attacks, and the opening up of a political horizon."

The "declaration of war" by Al-Qaeda leader in Iraq Abu Musaab Al-Zarqawi on next Sunday's election in Iraq did not take the papers by surprise.

In Kuwait's Al-Raai Al-Aam : "The declaration of war by Abu Musaab Al-Zarqawi on the coming Iraqi elections is nothing new. Al- Zarqawi has been on a continuous war footing with the Iraqis and their future since the fall of Saddam Hussein."

"The declaration of the Al-Zarqawi group that it will fight the Iraqi elections is nothing new, except that it comes a few days ahead of polling day... But the terrorists have not succeeded in terrorising the Iraqi people. In fact they have strengthened their resolve to move forward with a national political programme which will ensure that foreigners leave their country, and that a new era begins based on democracy." By the UAE's Al-Ittihad.

Iraq's Al-Bayan : "Those who are convinced that the election is the only salvation from the political, economic and security chaos should make sure to vote... Those, however, who believe this process will come to nothing should make up their minds and offer an appropriate alternative...

"The Al-Zarqawi loyalists are not alone," wrote the UK-based, Saudi-funded Asharq Al- Awsat. "Rather they have partners in Iraq for their operations, which are aimed at dividing people into religious and regional groupings. Their partners are Iraqi Baathist armed groups opposed to the present regime."

In another UK-based paper, Al-Arab Al- Alamiyah : "Washington is facing a real problem: it is neither able to withdraw nor is it able to continue. It is losing its credibility day by day and the resistance is gaining national legitimacy."

Al-Quds Al-Arabi, another Saudi-sponsored daily: "There are many negative sides to this election. But the most important of its positive sides is that it has put to shame the position of many, clearly exposing the reality on the ground, as well as revealing the nature of the new Iraqi leaders."

A snap online poll of 1,225 respondents conducted by Al-Quds showed that 87.5 per cent thought the Iraqi elections would fail as opposed to 12.5 per cent who thought it would succeed.

"We now hear about the possibility of large explosions to be carried out during the Iraqi vote... This does not reflect the idea of free and democratic elections," wrote Jordan's Ad- Dostour.

"What is obvious is that the time to postpone the elections is over. If the government insists the elections will be conducted as planned, the most important solution is that everyone should participate..." in Qatar's Al-Watan.

On the inauguration speech of US President George Bush the verdict was almost unanimous. Most papers didn't like it.

Rafiq Khouri in Lebanon's An-Nahar : "Talk of democracy is merely an illusion, when Iraq has no sovereignty and the Arab-Israeli conflict has not yet been resolved."

"In his inaugural speech, President Bush repeated the word freedom 40 times in 17 minutes..." wrote Al-Watan of Saudi Arabia. "The spread of freedom all over the world is a strong statement which shakes people's feelings. To end tyranny in our world, as Bush said in his speech, is a highly rhetorical statement and titillating lyrics... Will Bush ever grant Palestinians their rights and return their land?"

"Americans themselves are against their president and do not trust his policy," said Abdullah Hamouda in Oman's Al-Watan. "However, the president who works 'towards spreading democracy and freedom in the world' does not seem to be bothered about his people's objections, nor is he concerned about it."

The UAE's Al-Bayan: "The US should not wait four more years to answer the question: 'Why do they hate us?'"

Al-Quds Al-Arabi: "The democracy President Bush's administration is promising is a bloody one. It has, up to now, claimed the lives of 100,000 martyrs, with the same number being wounded. It has turned the country into a failed one, where chaos and booby-trapped cars prevail..."

Zein Al-Abidine Al-Rukabi in Asharq Al- Awsat was willing to give Bush the benefit of the doubt. "The US administration has been given a unique chance, the best ever, to restore trust in true US values, as well as improving an image which has been distorted by its mistakes."