Michael Tarazi Spokesperson for Abu Mazen on Arms Collection

Aaron Lerner Date: 6 May 2003

IMRA interviewed Michael Tarazi spokesperson for Abu Mazen, in English, on 6
May, 2003:

IMRA: Abu Mazen says that the "Palestinians are already well on our way to
implementing the Road Map".

Tarazi: You can see this from the table on our website: PLO NEGOTIATIONS
AFFAIRS DEPARTMENT ROAD MAP STATUS REPORT: PHASE I
http://www.nad-plo.org/eye/FactSheetRoadMapStatRep.pdf

IMRA: I see that for weapons collections you show Abu Mazen's declaration.
So I guess it is only declarative so far.

Tarazi: I think weapons collections happens once you have rebuilt your
security forces. You can't carry out activities of a security apparatus
without having a security apparatus.

IMRA: I am talking about all the illegal weapons. You are saying you are
only going to ask people to hand in their weapons when you have a new
security apparatus?

Tarazi: What I am saying is that in order to enforce the collection of
weapons per the security obligations you have to have a security apparatus.
We don't have that.

IMRA: How does it work with the people who are in Fatah? The assumption is
that if they were asked to do it that they wouldn't just do it? You have to
wait until you have a new security force?

Tarazi: Not necessarily. In Gaza we tried at one point to collect weapons
[AL: a handful] as we also did here a while ago when we had the security
apparatus to do that. I can't speak on behalf of the security forces but
there is going to be a meeting I believe between Dahlan and Mofaz some time
this week - can't guarantee that but that is what we are hearing - and I am
sure that Dahlan will present his outline for work dealing with weapons.

IMRA: There is an Arab website that purports to show an interview with one
of Dahlan's assistants in which he explains that the solution to this issue
is that all the people who are walking around with assault rifles in Gaza
will be drafted into the Palestinian security forces so that then it will
be OK for them to have the weapons.

Tarazi: I cannot comment. I don't know. It sounds a little but like saying
"let's make all the illegal settlements legal instead of taking them down."
Did you hear that one? That the Israelis are saying "let's just make them
legal"?

IMRA: So the two are tantamount to being the same thing.

Tarazi: With respect to what?

IMRA: If it turns out that this is the solution then you would consider
that to be . . .

Tarazi: No no no. I have no idea if that is the solution. But I can tell
by your tone that you are not particularly interested in understanding how .
. .

IMRA: Oh no. I am interested in what you are saying.

Tarazi: I have to go right now. Sorry but I don't have more time for you
now. Our charts are our charts. Hope you can look at it. We will supply
more information as things start to be implemented.

Have you called up the Israelis by the way to find out if they have accepted
the roadmap?

IMRA: Well, you know, it is a draft. As the British ambassador to Israel
said last week, he also expects there to be many changes. That's my
understanding.

Tarazi: I appreciate your calling. Bye.

Dr. Aaron Lerner, Director IMRA (Independent Media Review & Analysis)
(mail POB 982 Kfar Sava)
Tel 972-9-7604719/Fax 972-3-7255730
INTERNET ADDRESS: imra@netvision.net.il
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Website: http://www.imra.org.il