Mizhir: “We cannot afford returning from Egypt without an agreement”

Wednesday October 08, 2008 04:10 by Saed Bannoura - IMEMC & Agencies

Member of the Central Committee of the leftist Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP), Jamil Mizhir, stated on Tuesday that the core of the internal Palestinian conflict is political in nature and demanded that all Palestinian factions participate in the upcoming Palestinian talks in Cairo with “an open heart and mind,” stating that the Palestinians cannot afford to return from Cairo without an agreement as this could threaten the national struggle.

Jamil Mizhir

Mizhir commented on the session of the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) in Gaza and the statements of the Head PLC Legal Committee concerning Abbas’ term in office and illegality of extending his term. Mizhir stated that these very issues increased the internal rift between Fateh and Hamas and the conflict in general.

He maintained that the core of the conflict was political in nature, and that the political solution involved an agreement on elections, the presidency and all related issues.

The PFLP leader added that trading accusations and conflicting statements will only increase the internal divisions and deepen the separation between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

In a statement to the Palestine News Network (PNN), Mizhir said that all factions must participate in internal dialogues. He added that there is a real chance for the success of these talks, and “therefore, all parties should participate with open minds and hearts, and all must place the higher national interests as top priority. We have already agreed on certain points that could be the base of this dialogue, including the formation of a unity government.”

Mizhir also said that the PFLP rejects the formation of a government of technocrats, which adheres to the conditions of the Quartet Committee. He further criticized the Quartet for disregarding Palestinian national rights and the right to resist the occupation.

“We are saying that we must form a national unity government which follows a national and political agenda that serves our national interests.” He added, "This government will be based on the Cairo agreement and the National Unity Document. This is our position and this is what we told our brothers in Egypt.”

Regarding the arguments between Fateh and Hamas concerning the legality of extending the term of President Mahmoud Abbas in office, Mizhir said that these arguments are fruitless as the conflict here is political and every side is trying to interpret the law according to its own interests.

He added that basic Palestinian law states that the president is elected for four years and also states that presidential and legislative elections should be conducted directly following each other.

“These arguments harm our interests and our national agenda, which is already endangered by Israel.” Mizhir further stated, “If there are good intentions, then we can overcome all obstacles and form a national unity government; we can rebuild security devices and prepare for presidential and legislative elections.”

As for a timeframe for the talks, Mizhir stated that Cairo is giving the dialogue a period of between 45 days and 2 months period to succeed. “We cannot wait for more than two months. We cannot wait a hundred years for this dialogue; this timeframe starts by the beginning of November.”

On the international level, Mizhir said that Palestinians are looking forward to a European role that would recognize Palestinian national rights and counter the US policies that are biased towards Israel.

“The EU should play a positive role in achieving Palestinian national rights by forming an independent Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital.” Mizhir also stated, “the world must realize that there cannot be peace without obtaining Palestinian legitimate rights. There cannot be peace while Israel disregards these rights. The EU and the International Community must intervene and enable the creation of the independent state and ensure the implementation of the Right of Return for refugees.”

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