[Mb-civic] EDITORIAL Mr. Abbas Makes a Stand

[Michael Butler]

 The New York Times
February 12, 2005
EDITORIAL
Mr. Abbas Makes a Stand

Four months ago, it was impossible to imagine the leader of the Palestinian
Authority sacking nine security chiefs and deputies, including the head of
security in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, for failing to prevent mortar and
rocket attacks against the Israelis. But four months ago, Mahmoud Abbas
wasn't running the Palestinian Authority. Now he is, and his move this week
to crack down on militant groups who violated the days-old cease-fire
agreement with Israel is a forceful sign that the Palestinians finally have
a leader who means business.

Mr. Abbas has done more in this arena in the one month he's been president
of the Palestinian Authority than Yasir Arafat ever did. His demand that
militant factions respect the truce sends a strong signal to all sides that
he will be a forceful representative of the Palestinian people. It also
warns Israel's prime minister, Ariel Sharon, that he will not be able to use
the ambivalence of Palestinian leaders as an excuse to back down from the
commitments that Israel has made toward peace.

Mr. Sharon should try to strengthen Mr. Abbas's hand. That means no more
coddling of the illegal settlements that have sprung up all over the West
Bank. It means no more Israeli incursions into areas under Palestinian
Authority control. It means dismantling many of the Israeli checkpoints that
have stymied movement for Palestinians.

It appears that Mr. Sharon has a real partner, one willing to make hard
decisions to achieve the peace that has proved so elusive. Mr. Sharon must
now show he is also willing to make hard decisions.

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