British documents revealed that London bet on Muhammad Dahlan, the controversial Palestinian politician and security man, at the height of the second Palestinian Intifada and the struggle over powers between leader Yasser Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority, and his Prime Minister Mahmoud Abbas more than 20 years ago.
The BBC reported that Britain sought to persuade the United States to pressure the occupation regarding settlement and the release of Palestinian prisoners from its detention centers, according to documents from the British Prime Minister’s Office that were recently declassified.
The documents showed that London presented the idea of ”activating Dahlan’s role” during the preparation for a meeting between British Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George Bush in Washington in mid-July 2003.
Following consultations between Blair’s office and the Foreign Office, it was decided that the British Prime Minister would inform US President George Bush of “the necessity of giving Mahmoud Abbas more support with regard to Palestinian security,” and to confirm Britain’s readiness “to help rebuild and reform the Palestinian security sector.”
She pointed out that the British idea came approximately three months after Dahlan assumed the position of Minister of Security in the Palestinian Authority by decision of Mahmoud Abbas, despite the objection of Yasser Arafat.
The BBC said, “Nearly two years before the idea was proposed, the American President informed the British Prime Minister that he had sought, in vain, to find an alternative to Yasser Arafat.”
Dahlan, known for his positions against Hamas, was a member of the Palestinian team during the negotiating rounds regarding the stages after the Oslo Accords, which included the Cairo negotiations in 1994, Taba, Wye River and Camp David II. He then led the negotiating team in 1995 regarding the post-occupation plan arrangements. Gaza strip.
In early December, Britain announced the presence of a British, American, and Canadian military support team in Ramallah, which has been working with the Palestinian Authority for more than ten years.
Grant Shapps, British Defense Minister, stated that his country would consider increasing its ability to assist the Authority. He explained that the team is helping to prepare the Palestinian Authority to take over the administration of the Gaza Strip, after the end of the current war.
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2024-01-02 09:53:50
