MEMRI translates a remarkably frank call for Arafat’s resignation in the London Arabic-language daily Al-Sharq Al-Awsat:
In the Palestinian Authority there are 12 security apparatuses, and their number has nothing to do with security but with the fact that there are 12 people who must each be given a security apparatus so they will be important.
Some of the [apparatus] heads are exploiting their apparatuses to gain influence and maybe even to get rich. Arafat has appointed his cronies heads of some of the apparatuses, has set himself at their head, and transformed his headquarters into the joint operations room of all the security apparatuses.
Arafat employs day-to-day tactics with no strategy, and thinks it important to appear in control of everything. This mentality has caused the missing of a rare opportunity, which former prime minister Abu Mazen tried to exploit. Prior to that, other opportunities were missed.
Arafat hangs onto his post, even though he knows that his heading the leadership is truly an obstacle to the Palestinian enterprise. The greatest service Arafat can do for the Palestinians is to submit his resignation. If he does this, the Palestinians will esteem him, and he will do an important service for the [Palestinian] cause.
Is there a wind of change in the air?
