Hawatemah strongly criticises Palestinian opposition groups

The secretary general of the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine, Nayef Hawatemah, has strongly criticized the Palestinian opposition groups which take Damascus as a headquarters, due to their media, political and military attacks against his group following the disputes that occurred between the two sides in December 1998. Hawatemah accused these groups of foiling attempts to build "an effective Palestinian opposition."

In a statement to the Lebanese daily al-Mustaqbil from Cairo, Hawatemah said just one hour before he met with Palestinian President Yasser Arafat in a statement that was published on Monday, that a final split "took place between the democratic front and the other 10 groups which are positioned in Damascus." He remarked that these groups do not have an independent policy.

Replying to a question on the reason behind this sudden change against the opposition in Damascus, Hawatemah said, "The answer is with those who made this sudden change" and that they announced that in the meeting held between the leadership of the follow-up committee -- opposition leaders Khaled al-Fahoum, Issam al-Qadi, and Talal Naji -- with Syrian Vice President Abdul Halim Khaddam, Khaddam told them that they are optimistic of reaching peace soon because negotiations will be resumed from the point they broke off and that Khaddam recommended that these forces reorganize as political parties.

Hawatemah added: "Just few days later, Khaled al-Fahoum was in Amman and he made his own statements," and "Our brothers in the people's front made their statement."

Asked if he means that a change in the people's front stance and Khaled al-Fahoum was a result of the advice they received from Khaddam, Hawatemah said, "This question should be addressed to them (the nine Palestinian groups in Damascus)," adding, "I rather say in a clear language that since last December until July 21, the nine Palestinian groups besides several independent figures were in one line against any dialogue with Fatah or, the Palestinian Authority of even with Arafat," saying that the diaspora conference decision "considers all those as having lost legitimacy and credibility, and this was all made following the meeting with Mr. Abdul Halim Khaddam."