Palestinian fightback begins against Amman
Press conference interview with PFLP leader
Middle East agreement
IN SV2 last November, we provided an extensive analysis of the events in the Middle East since the invasion of Lenanon by Israel. We argued that the covulsions within the ranks of the PLO have triggered off major shifts in the balance of forces which will favour an imperialist-dicatated settlement. As we largely predicted, Arafat proceeded with a PNC, boycotted by most PLO organisations, signalling a new course towards compromise and capitulation.
In SV4, last month, we reviewed the renewed "peace overtures" culminating in the Amman agreement of rebruary 11, signed between Arafat and King Hussein, and the Mubarak plan for peace. The Amman agreement, later endorsed by the PLO Central Committee, calls for an international conference comprising the main protagonists and members of the UN Security Council
George Habash
What did the PFLP and the Democratic Alliance do to stop the agreement between Arafat and King Hussein?
George Habash: Stopping this agreement was practically impossible in the present circumstances, because Arafat, and Fatah's Central Committee generally, had already decided to become involved in the US settlement plans. Actually, since the departure of the Palestinian fighters from
*An alliance formed by the PFLP. DFLP, PLF and PCP in response to the outbreak of fighting in Tripoli in September 1983, for the purpose of struggling to reunite the PLO around its traditional platform.
including the Soviet Union at which the PLO would participate in a joint Palestinian-Jordaniar delegation, in order to reach "a comprehensive peace as established in the UN Security Council resolutions."
We argued that "only a powerful mobilisation of the Palestinian masses can now stop Arafat in his tracks and gut all moves towards compromise with Israel"; and "it is the Left in the PLO regrouped in a commanding. powerful organisation which must be the spearhead of such a mobilisation."
Here we publish proceedings of a press conference held on February 14 by George Habash (leading member of the Democratic Alliance* and General Secretary of the PFLP) which launched the PFLP campaign to defeat the Amman agreement.
Beirut, Arafat and this upper stratum of the Palestinian bourgeoisie have continuously signalled their readiness to be involved in the US plans. The PFLP, together with all the democratic forces, did all possible to prevent this involvement. Yet although we have worked patiently and persistently, they had made their decision.
Now, in order to abort the agreement, the PFLP will take the initiative to confrront this involvement through mass mobilisation, political activities and a broad information camapign against the agreement. In this, we will rely primarily on our masses, but also on the Arab national liberation movement to which this involvement and its dangers are very clear. We will also rely on our international allies, the socialist countries and all Socialist Viewpoint, No. 5, April 1985. Page 30
Yasser Arafat democratic forces that understand the difference between our line and this rightist trend.
I would like to add that we are following developments minute by minute. We have heard the statement made by Farouk Quaddoumi (head of the PLO's political department, and member of Fatah's Central Committee). Its contents indicate rejection of many elements of such an agreement. There are also meetings to be convened, like of Fatah's revolutionary Council. If it were a matter of wishing, any serious Palestinian leader would wish the agreement to be cancelled, but scientifically speaking, we don't expect this. The only way we can be convinced that the Revolutionary Council opposes the agreement is if they issue a clear-cut statement cancelling the agreement outright. Then it
is up to such leading bodies to take signing the agreement. We call on Fatah bases and cadres to confront this agree.
ment as strongly as possible in order to save the PLO's national line.
You have called for a broad front to obstacles to its establishment?
George Habash: We were very serious about our call. Such a front is the main way to contront deviation from the nanecessary to mobilise and organise all nationalist political forces against deviation. We have now called for this front to be established as soon as possible. The signing of the agreement in Amman should to a great extent remove the obstacles and prevented its establishment. The establishment of such a national front is motivated by the need for a national leadership for all the Palestinian against involvement in the US settlement plans, in order to restore the PLO's national line and unity. This will never be achieved unless the deviating line and inrepresented in this agreement, pletely dropped and aborted. Those responsible for the deviation should be tried and removed from the PLO's leadership.
There may be some contradictions remaining before we an establish the national front, but we will place all our efforts to realise this.
What will you do if Arafat and King Hussein travel to Egypt and sign an agreement with Mubarak?
George Habash: This would mark a further involvement in the US liquidationist this agreement in Amman, that the official PLO leadership will take further steps. Of course, would oppose this and regard it as further proof that this leadership doesn't represent the Palestinian people, their goals, sacrifices or their martyrs.
After Hussein's visit to Algeria. did you contact the Algerians so that they
George Habash: The Algerian leadership is quite aware of the dangers of the Amman agreement and of what is happening in the Palestinian arena, but it is also our duty to point out the implications of this agreement to all our friends. press conference, as mass activities to confront the agreement and the line of thinking that led to it, in order to save the PLO and return it to the national line charted through
The PFLP will begin broad, serious con-
Arab national liberation movement and the Arab national regimes and our international allies to explain the dangers of the agreement and elicit their support for its confrontation. This is a duty for us, based on our loyalty to our people and national cause. There have been other dangerous junctures threatening the liquidation of our revolution: Jordan 1970, the 1982 Israeli invasion of Lebanon and the siege of Beirut, but none of these paralleled the dangers of the present moment caused by the signing of this agreement. Our sense of duty towards our martyrs compells us to wage a campaign as broad as possible to bury this agreement. It is rare to find a Palestinian family that has not given a martyr in the course of the patriotism and political awareness and that
Habash: "Bury this deviation." they will mobilise to bury the deviation along wth the factors that led to it, and armed struggle until the liberation of Palestine.
We are highly aware of the difference plementing them, but at the same time we that when there is a decision to fight, the people will be victorious. Washes gandof to Coincid win Fahd's visit to Washington?
George Habash: Yes, but not only with this. It also coincides with preparations for
Not Washington: Mubarak, Hussein and then King Hassan [of Morocco]. Also, early next month, there will be talks between the US and Soviet Union on the Middle East. We expect that the signing of this agreeement was hastened in order to precede scenario: Murphy will ask the Soviets what they want to discuss about the Middle East after King Fahd, other Arab leaders, and now even Airalat, have conveyed their wishes that the US put all efforts to solve
The US will emphasise that the Soviet Union has no role to play, that it is the US that will resolve the Middle East agenda a discussion of the "dangers" of providing Syria with advanced weaponry.
This is why the agreement was hastened, and this is why all our masses and allies are expected to condemn this agreement. This is why we say that Arafat no longer represents the Palestinian people and
You call on Fatah's base to contront the agreement. Is this an invitation for Egyptian President Mubarak. Socialist Viewpoint, No. 5, April 1985. Page 31 them to split from Fatah or its leadership?
George Habash: This is up to them. Our experience of the past two years, and all the difficulties caused by this leadership show that the deviation cannot be ended unless the leadership responsible for this line is removed. This is one of our aims, and we will struggle for it through democratic means.
The statement says this agreement will only bring destruction to the two parties that signed it. What do you mean by this?
George Habash: Ihis is especially true regarding the Palestinian side, for Arafat will achieve nothing in this way. The thinking of the US and Peres government is as follows: they demand concessions from Arafat. At each compromising step taken on the Palestinian side, they will say this is will demand further concessions; this will repeat itself over and over. Thus nothing will be gained except the deterioration of the Palestinian revolution. This is what we are trying to prevent,
How far can co-ordination between the National and Democratic Alliances go towards stopping Arafat?
George Habash: We have called for the establishment of a national front to include all national organisations, forces and prominent nationalist personalities, whether in the West Bank, Jordan, Lebanon, Syria or the Gulf, wherever there are Palestinian communities. These people have the respect of the masses because of their role in the struggle. Thus they can give this front broad influence among our people.
All the organisations confronting deviation are in the National or Democratic Alliance, and all efforts must be exerted to removing any obstacles to establishing this front. The central question for all is fin. ding the best way to confront the deviation. We believe that the broad national front is the best, and we must find the way to put this into practice, in order to restore the PLO's national line and independent decision-making. The PLO should not be involved in US solutions, or in the pocket of any regime, but clearly aligned with the Arab national liberation movement, nationalist regimes and socialist communiali the Soviet Union in particular, and forces of progress and democracy.
Has there been increased struggle in the West Bank?
George Habash: Thank you for this question as it gives me the opportunity to that in spite of the complicated political situation, we do not forget our people in Palestine. We do not forget, nor do they, that the main enemy is Zionism and US imperialism. We are obliged to deal with the political problems in the PLO, but we will not be completely preoccupied with this. We are also thinking how we can increase the struggle, especially armed struggle, against the Zionist enemy in occupied Palestine, for this is our main
Israeli statistics have recently been released concerning resistance in the West Bank and Gaza Strip, that in the course of a month, there were 200 "terrorist acts" against the occupation. This is in addition to the mass and political struggle.
Since we refuse Arafat's policy, we must give the alternative which is continuing the struggle to change the balance of forces by increasing armed struggle, having a correct political line and strengthen relations with our real friends on the Arab and international levels.