Palestinian legislators are working on a proposal for sweeping reforms in the Palestinian Authority — in response to Yasser Arafat's statement Wednesday that he was open to changes, including preparations for elections.
A special committee set up by the Palestinian Legislative Council (PLC) met for a second day Thursday over a draft bill that will include reforms of the PA.
The committee, which includes members from Gaza, Jerusalem and Ramallah, discussed elections for the PLC and for local government, limiting the number of PA ministers, the creation of the position of prime minister, and enforcing a clear separation between government institutions and the PLO apparatus. The committee is expected to complete its work within a week, Israel Radio reported.
Members of the committee include deputy PLC head, Ibrahim Abu Najeh, civil rights activist Hanan Ashrawi, and Nabil Amr, who resigned from the cabinet 10 days ago after his demand for reforms went unheeded.
Under a plan proposed by legislators from Arafat's Fatah movement, municipal and parliamentary elections would be held in the fall. A prime minister would be placed in charge of day-to-day government operations, and several rival branches of the security forces would be merged into one service.
According to AP, Hatem Abdel Khader, a Palestinian lawmaker, said he and his colleagues would not settle for cosmetic changes this time. "President Arafat will stay the president and the symbol of our authority, but he has to distribute some of his responsibilities," Abdel Khader said.
Others said they were skeptical Arafat would carry out any reforms, noting that the Palestinian leader has resisted change. "Yasser Arafat loves only Yasser Arafat, and is looking for personal benefits," said legislator Hassan Khreisheh. (Albawaba.com)
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