Palestinian sources: Closeness with Damascus is not due

Sources close to the chairman of the political department of the PLO, Farouk al-Qaddoumi, have downplayed the importance of indications which were used as basis in speaking about Syrian - Palestinian closeness.

Al-Qaddoumi's media consultant, Anwar Abdul Hadi, said that the visit of Intisar al-Wazir (Um Jihad) to Damascus was a private one to visit the tomb of her husband, Abu Jihad. He added that during her visit Um Jihad did not make any contacts with Syrian officials.

Abdul Hadi stated that Fatah movement central committee member Abbas Zaki did not hold a private visit to Damascus, he was rather a member of the al-Qaddoumi delegation and that he met with Syrian Foreign Minister Farouk al-Sharaa within the delegation, rather than through a separate meeting. He continued that member of the PLO executive committee Asaad Abdul Rahman has not visited Syria officially for one year. However, Abdul Hadi did not deny that al-Qaddoumi conveyed to Damascus the desire of Arafat to visit Syria.

It seems from these explanations made by the Palestinian side that improving relations between Damascus and the Palestinian Authority, even if made, will not be constant. It will be rather following the Israeli elections. It is, moreover, expected that Damascus will have then, preconditions before such a visit to be made by Arafat. The essence of the Syrian conditions will be that the Palestinian Authority will have something new to say towards the nature of coordination and consultation with Arab sides concerned.