PLO official: Dissolving PA an option

02/11/2010

BETHLEHEM (Ma'an) -- PLO negotiator Nabil Sha'ath said Tuesday that dissolving the Palestinian Authority would be considered as a last resort if efforts to end Israel's occupation failed.

The Fatah official told Ma'an radio that if the PA was unable to meet its responsibilities, it would be shameful to retain authority. "Its decisions are shot down by the occupation, as the people of the West Bank can’t visit Gaza and Gazans can’t live in the West Bank. It is not permitted for anyone to build a new Palestinian village or city, which is unacceptable."

If Israel's right-wing administration continues to ignore its obligations, the dissolution of the PA could force Netanyahu to find a solution for the conflict, Sha'ath said.

However, there are alternatives to dissolving the PA to be considered first, Sha'ath said, adding that the PA is ready to return to negotiations "tomorrow" if Israel stops expanding. If Netanyahu continues to refuse, the PLO will seek recognition of statehood from the UN Security Council, the US and the EU, he said.

The Arab League follow-up committee gave the US one month to resolve the current deadlock in negotiations, which stalled when Netanyahu resumed full-scale settlement building across the West Bank in late September.

Sha'ath questioned the ability of the US to put pressure on Israel, which has continued to build on Palestinian land despite signing agreements. "How will they stop the occupation?" he asked.

Source: Ma'an News Agency.
Link: http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=330218.