RAMALLAH, West Bank, 9 October 2003 — Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qorei will seek approval from Parliament today for his new government after insisting he can work with Israeli counterpart Ariel Sharon and secure a cease-fire.
Qorei and six other members of his Cabinet were sworn in by Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat on Tuesday but there has been unease among MPs that the government has been foisted on them.
Incoming Interior Minister Nasser Yussef refused to take the oath of office from Arafat and sources said his insistence that he only formally takes up his job after winning approval from Parliament was a factor in Qorei’s decision to present his program and ministers. Qorei was appointed in a presidential decree by Arafat that also ushered in emergency rule for the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
But Kadura Fares, an MP for the mainstream Fatah movement, said that while the law allowed for emergency rule there was no provision for an emergency government.
“There has been a great deal of opposition among Fatah and PLC (Palestinian Legislative Council) members against the forming of the emergency government and we are now waiting to have an ordinary rather than emergency government,” he said. Independent MP Hanan Ashrawi also criticized the Palestinian leadership for failing to justify the imposition of emergency law. “There is not a need for an emergency government,” she said. “The only way out of a crisis is by resorting to law and legal institutions and not by bypassing them.
“More than that, agreeing to an emergency government will constitute a precedent that we don’t want. We want the law and the rule of law to prevail.” Arafat announced the imposition of emergency law in the wake of an attack in the northern city of Haifa that left 19 people dead.
Qorei said yesterday that he believes he can work with Israeli Prime Minister Sharon and secure a cease-fire, which he has made the top priority of his government. “I am willing to begin negotiations with Israel, and I believe that I can work with Sharon,” Qorei said.
“There is a chance of making a genuine difference and reaching achievements. I intend to work with your government and achieve a ceasefire. Give us a chance and an opportunity to prevent the deterioration from continuing.”
Meanwhile, an aide to Arafat denied allegations by a British daily that the Palestinian leader had suffered a light heart attack. “What the Guardian published about President Arafat having a heart attack last week is a complete and utter lie.”
