Democratic Palestine : 15 (ص 22)
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- عنوان
- Democratic Palestine : 15 (ص 22)
- المحتوى
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Interview with Comrade Abu Ali Aish, commander
of the PFLP battalion in the Mountain.
Do you expect new military developments in this
area considering the Geagea-Gemayel efforts to
sabotage the tripartite accord?
Bloody disputes occurred in the fascist camp regarding
the tripartite accord. The opposition to the accord was seen in
the unity between the Gemayel and Geagea factions that took
control of the fascist-held area. Their unity had clear Israeli
backing. There should have been a new program of action for
the nationalist forces in response to this situation but, due to
various considerations, that was not the case. The situation
remained within the framework of increased clashes and bom-
bardment between the fascist and the nationalist sides. Our
analysis was that the enemy forces might try to improve their
Positions on the ground. Therefore we were in a state of high
alert. However, our front was less active than the Bikfaya front
because of the objective political fact that Gemayel's home is
in Bikfaya.
How is your coordination with other Palestinian
forces in this area?
We stress the framework of the Palestine National Salva-
tion Front (PNSF) in relating to other Palestinian forces. Previ-
ously, the PNSF was not very active, but a month ago we
initiated an activation in the Mountain. This had positive effects
on cooperation on the leadership and local level. We are
pleased with the new pace and are working to close any gaps.
What priority do you give to political education for
the fighters?
An essential part of our program is political and ideological
education. This is what creates the new type of revolutionaries.
In our battalion, this work was done effectively until the time of
the camp war (May-June 1985). For a few months afterwards,
it was not carried out as we like, because some cadres had to
move to other battalions. In that period we noticed an increase
of problems related to discipline and behavior. We have now
solved the problem and are happy with the situation.
How do you answer those who propose that Pales-
tinians only fight in occupied Palestine?
This position does not arise from a vacuum, because the
Zionist entity is our direct enemy. However, this fact should not
blind us to other facts. We in the PFLP have a position that
liberating Palestine is linked to change in the neighboring
countries. These countries have different regimes and views
on the Palestinian question. Change is the responsibility of the
progressive forces in each of these countries. We in turn have
principled relations with the progressive forces. We support
the national liberation movements in their struggle to change
the social, economic and political system. Such change is in
Our national interests. This is very clear in Lebanon. When we
fight here, and aim our gun in a seemingly opposite direction,
we are fighting the Zionist-fascist project here. When we sup-
port the Lebanese national movement in its struggle for
change in Lebanon, we are moving towards the liberation of
Palestine. We cannot fight the Zionist enemy from Lebanon if
the fascists are in control. We support the Lebanese national
movement which also supports us in our struggle to liberate
Palestine.
20
have some joint bases with the LCP which is a very positive
experience.
Malek: We have good cooperation with the PSP and the
LCP In battles, we coordinate firepower. We also do joint for-
tifications work.
Ziad: | can give specific examples: We paved a military
road together. We dig trenches together. We share cars when
needed.
How are your relations with the neighboring villa-
gers?
Faraj: Most people from this area have left because of the
war. There are three or four families left. Our relations with
them are very good. We help them fortify their homes. We bring
them water sometimes and give our old bread to their chic-
kens. We visit them in our spare time and discuss the political
situation, emphasizing that the war is not sectarian, but a
nationalist war. The people also help us. We once had prob-
lems with the tiles on our roof; they solved that. Sometimes
they send us home-cooked food.
Jamil: Our relation with the civilians is very special; it is
based on respect and trust.
How is coordination with other Palestinian organi-
zations in this area?
Nassim: We have good relations with all Palestinian
organizations. We initiated visits and give them A/ Hadaf, our
central magazine. We also help in training them in new
weapons if needed. We coordinate fortifications work. During a
battle, if we hear there is an injury on another base, we send
our car to take the injured to the hospital.
Ziad: We have close coordination with the organizations
of the Palestinian National Salvation Front. We have started
dealing with our allies in the PSP as one group when request-
ing materials or ammunition...
Some say that Palestinians should fight only in
Palestine and not be involved in the struggle out-
side. How do you answer this?
Malek: We are here to support the Lebanese national
movement's fight to defeat the fascist-Zionist project. It is
wrong to say we must fight only ‘Israel’. We all know that the
imperialist forces cooperate on the international level - aggres-
sion against Nicaragua, Angola and Afghanistan, the occupa-
tion of Grenada, the close cooperation between US
imperialism, Zionism and the fascist regimes in Chile and
South Africa. That is very clear. It makes it important for
revolutionaries to cooperate internationally. What about
revolutionaries who face interrelated problems? It is impossi-
ble to separate the Palestinian cause from the Lebanese. As
we have the right to fight Zionism from South Lebanon, so we
have a duty to fight fascism in the Mountain, to help bring about
the national democratic program in Lebanon.
Do you have any final comments?
Nassim: We would like to send greetings from the fighters
against fascism and Zionism in Lebanon, to all anti-imperialist
comrades in the world and to all socialist countries, especially
the Soviet Union.
Malek: |In the West, people have the idea that the
fedayeen are terrorists who like shooting. Well we like shoot-
ing, because we love the land and we love the flowers. We
shoot for the beauty of the land and the flowers. @ - هو جزء من
- Democratic Palestine : 15
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- أبريل ١٩٨٦
- المنشئ
- الجبهة الشعبية لتحرير فلسطين
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