Yedioth Ahronoth
Disagreements between Israel, Palestinian Authority expected following Gaza
exit; violence may flare up again, Foreign Ministry says
By DORON SHEFFER Ynet 21 February 2005
www.ynetnews.com/articles/0,7340,L-3049055,00.html

JERUSALEM - Expected disagreements between Israel and the Palestinians
following the implementation of the pullout plan could lead to renewed
fighting, Foreign Ministry researchers say.

The Palestinian Authority is interested is moving ahead quickly with the
road map plan, while Israel wants to focus on the prerequisites, mainly a
Palestinian effort to curb terror, ministry Middle East affairs expert Benny
Dagan said.

"We still don't know how the diplomatic process will continue following the
withdrawal," he said. "While the Palestinians want to move ahead with the
road map, Israel's position is that they are still in the midst of the phase
prior to the map's implementation."

Following the pullout, Israel will approach the next stage of negotiations
"devoid of energy," due to its sensitive political situation, Dagan said.

No dramatic change foreseen in Arab world

"The Palestinians have a very clear outline as to where they're headed.but
Israel would have to face the question of where it's headed following the
disengagement," he said.

Dagan also addresses Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas' political standing.

"Abu Mazen is presented in the Palestinian public as fragile and weak, and
much less charismatic than his predecessor," he said. "That's why the
Palestinians will strive to present Abbas' fate as conditioned upon the
continuation of the diplomatic process."

Referring to President George Bush's declarations regarding aspirations for
democracy in the Arab world, Dagan said no dramatic developments should be
expected, but some reforms could be seen.

"The regimes around us will have to work hard to maintain the old order," he
said

As to Iran, Dagan said Teheran is not expected to renounce its nuclear
program.

"They are determined to do this to protect themselves. Even a regime change
won't change this fact," he said. "The Iranian people would never allow the
Americans to do to them what they did to the Iraqis."



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