The following is an unofficial translation of a

statement from Fateh issued 1 December with its

views on the Geneva initiative:

In the Name of God

Our Freedom Fighting People, Our People in

Palestine and in Exile

Initiatives and proposals for solving the Arab-Israeli Conflict appear from time to time. Whether Israeli or Israeli-Palestinian, regional, or international, these proposals are based on the premise that the Palestinian refugee issue can be resolved within the

framework of a future Palestinian State.

Of even greater danger is the fact that the current Palestinian regime has opened the door for such initiatives without having a clear vision that is consistent with our people’s aspirations! The current regime has encouraged and participated in these initiatives, justifying their position by saying that they

are searching for a political breakthrough with the Israeli and international community.

Oblivious to the harm being done to the unity of

the Palestinian people, this regime includes those who initiate and direct and those who reject such initiatives. This situation is pushing the Palestinian people towards an internal conflict that could lead to a “civil war” just to maintain the interests of the

Palestinian elite currently in power. This elite – guided by their own self-interests – threatens the unity and steadfastness of the Palestinian people and the right to return of the Palestinian refugees, which is the core of the Palestinian issue.

Concerned about a unified Palestinian position

that is consistent with the national consensus,

we affirm the following:

First: Taking into consideration that the Right

of Return is the foundation of the Palestinian

consensus; the core of the Palestinian struggle;

the justification for the current revolution; and the dream of two-thirds of the Palestinian people, we strongly reject all initiatives, agreements, and understandings, whether formal or informal – including Beilin-Abu Mazen, Nusseibeh-Ayalon, the Geneva agreement, among others – that compromise this sacred right. We see such initiatives and agreements as a dangerous trend that transforms the national

consensus into a bargaining chip for negotiations.

Second: We do not place responsibility only on

those who participated in such initiatives. We

also blame the Palestinian regime which plays

with the fate of the people and contributes to

the damage done to the people’s aspirations. For

the last three months, this regime has been

consumed with petty internal conflicts over the

formation of a government rather than the

concerns of our people and the critical issues.

The regime, which has placed the most corrupt

persons in positions of responsibility in ministries, security and civil organizations, has persisted in playing with and harming the unity of our people and the national consensus – foremost being the right of return – in an unprecedented manner, in order to maintain Palestinian sovereignty over any square meter.

Third: We remind those who play with the future

of our people that an independent Palestinian

State on the 1967 occupied land is not part of

the strategic consensus, but only a transition

program adopted by the PLO at the 1974 meeting

of the Palestinian National Council (PNC). The

right of return is a key element of the Palestinian National Charter and the primary reason for the beginning of the Palestinian revolution. If there was a need for tactical measures it is the Palestinian State which should be used as a bargaining chip in order to

achieve the return. The Palestinian State is no

longer a priority nor in the popular interest of

the Palestinian people. It has become an Israeli

security interest that also happens to serve

some in the current Palestinian regime, who see

the Palestinian State as a means to increase

their own illegitimate profits. Sacrificing the

Palestinian State for the sake of achieving the

return, therefore, serves the comprehensive

Palestinian strategy, while sacrificing the right of return for the sake of a pseudo State with limited sovereignty sacrifices the people’s rights, dreams and aspirations.

Fourth: We believe that we can reach a comprehensive and just peace, a peace in which

this land accommodates both peoples within a

democratic secular state; a peace that recognizes the rights and duties of both Palestinians and Israelis; a peace that removes borders, walls and checkpoints; a peace that is not based on displacement and the separation of cities, but rather one that is based on the

return of Palestinian refugees; a peace in which

everyone is a winner and not a compromiser; and,

a peace in which both parties triumph and no one

loses.

Fifth: In order to maintain the unity of our people; build democratic Palestinian institutions; and, facilitate each person’s right to contribute and participate in the building of civil society and the formation of policy, we call for transparent democratic

elections on all levels, starting with the FATEH

Central Committee, through Municipal Councils,

the Palestinin Legislative Council, the Presidency and the Palestinian National Council. The purpose of these elections is to reorganize the Palestinian house and protect it from ongoing administrative, financial, and political corruption, and stop the process of collapse and division.

Based on the abovementioned concepts, and

without hesitation, we will start a Popular Campaign in Palestine and in Exile under the Title: “Return First, and Peace for Two Nations in One State”.

With this slogan, we will be faithful to our people’s dreams and ambitions. We will be faithful to the blood of our martyrs. We will adopt a more realistic approach to achieve a comprehensive and just peace that does not impose painful compromises on anyone. A solution to the conflict that ignores the interests of

two-thirds of the Palestinian people can only be

considered as a ceasefire between two parties.

Unified and together until achieving Return, Liberation, and Peace

FATEH - Palestinian Liberation Movement

Palestine, 1/12/2003