Democratic Palestine : 31 (ص 4)
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- Democratic Palestine : 31 (ص 4)
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Interview with Dr. George Habash
Cd
At the conclusion of the PNC session, Democratic Palestine interviewed comrade George Habash,
General Secretary of the PFLP, in Algeria.
How do you evaluate the results of the 19th session
of the Palestinian National Council (PNC) and its
resolutions?
The PNC discussed four basic issues: the declaration of in-
dependence, the formation of a provisional government, the
uprising and the political report. As for the independence
declaration, we consider this a big victory for the Palestinian
people. As you know, this is a result of the intifada without
which no one would have thought of declaring independence
and it would not have been possible to do so. The intifada
forced the Jordanian regime to sever the legal and ad-
ministrative ties between the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan
and the West Bank. In this light, we had to answer the ques-
tions: To whom does this land belong? What is the future of
this land? The answer was that on this land we establish a
Palestinian state, on the way to fulfilling the historical rights of
the Palestinian people.
Therefore, we evaluate this declaration positively, especially
since it was based on the natural and historical rights of the
Palestinian people. It has the positive political result of
eliminating the Jordanian option. There are three proposed
solutions to the Palestinian question: Camp David, the Jorda-
nian option and national independence. The declaration of in-
dependence narrowed down these options to the only option
through which the solution to the Palestine question can be
materialized. We hope that this declaration will play an im-
portant role in our political and diplomatic struggle.
The second issue was the formation of a provisional
government, including the basis on which such a government
should be erected. The timing was left open until the cir-
cumstances are appropriate, and to give ourselves enough time
to clarify the relationship between the PLO and this govern-
ment, and other details. We are convinced that the declaration
of a state necessitates a government. The PNC gave the Ex-
ecutive Committee of the PLO the authority to form this
government. However we hope that there will be agreement in
the Palestinian arena on the details of the formation of this
government, so that is does not nullify or replace the PLO. In-
stead, it should be the political and diplomatic apparatus of the
PLO.
The third issue is the resolutions for supporting, continuing,
escalating and spreading the intifada and all of its aspects.
These resolutions were very, very good, provided they are im-
plemented. It is my duty to point out the difference between
passing resolutions and implementing them. However, passing
these resolutions gives us the opportunity to struggle within the
framework of the PLO for their implementation.
The fourth issue is the political report. This is where we feel
that there was a basic discrepancy. We in the Popular Front for
the Liberation of Palestine opposed a major point in the report
which makes specific reference to UN Security Council
Resolutions 242 and 338, plus the (Palestinian) right of self-
determination, as a basis for a peaceful solution. During the
discussion, we explained our position and the reasons for our
opposition. I am sorry to say that due to the composition of the
4
PNC, this resolution was passed. This poses the question of
whether or not the PNC resolutions are consistent with
Palestinian public opinion. I don’t believe that the majority of
the Palestinian people accept 242 and 338 as a basis for a peace
conference, yet the PLO’s highest body of authority (the PNC)
passed this resolution. This indicates a contradiction in the
composition of the PNC, which is not based on proportional
representation of the political forces in reality.
In any case, our general evaluation of the 19th session of the
PNC is positive. I realize the danger of resolution 242.
However, the declaration of an independent Palestinian state
outweighs the negative results of accepting resolutions 242 and
338.
The lesson to be drawn from this session is the need for rec-
tifying the organizational relations in the PLO institutions.
There is talk of the ideal Palestinian democracy. If we mean
democracy as freedom of expression within the framework of
these institutions, then it is correct. However, we realize that
democracy is more than freedom of expression. We should
evaluate our institutions, the way in which they function, and
the basis on which they are built. It is not possible to have ge-
nuine democracy without giving proportional representation to
every political trend in the Palestinian arena. I mentioned that
the majority of the Palestinian people reject 242 as a basis for a
settlement. If we constitute a minority in the PNC, we know
without a shadow of a doubt, that our views enjoy majority
support from the Palestinian public opinion. If there are some
who disagree, then let’s agree on a method of gaging the true
size of every political trend.
You have always been known for consistently
demanding democratic reforms in the PLO. What
are the possibilities of achieving this during the
uprising, and can this be achieved with the present
composition of the PLO institutions?
We presented a program for democratic reform in 1983, ina
booklet entitled «The Program of Unity and Reform». We
spoke of it on many occasions within PLO institutions and in
public. Now the intifada necessitates the speeding up of the
process of reform. Our sincerity to the intifada demands the
same ievel of diligence from us as our masses are showing in
their determination to achieve freedom and independence.
Therefore, it is necessary to rectify the internal situation of the
PLO so that it will become a real tool for the liberation of
Palestine. At the same time, the intifada forces us to limit our
struggle within the PLO’s institutions, so that this reform can
take place without the danger of a split or serious problems. It
is a very delicate balance: on one hand, the necessity of reform;
and on the other, this process of reform taking place within the
framework of the unity of the PLO.
It is very difficult to institute reforms during the present
situation. It is our duty to struggle in a very serious manner, so
that the composition of the next PNC is based on proportional
representation. This is the start of the process of reform which
should include many facets. - هو جزء من
- Democratic Palestine : 31
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