U.S. intelligence report projects possible collapse of Palestinian Authority

from World Tribune.com

WASHINGTON — The U.S. intelligence community has raised the prospect of the collapse of Fatah and the Palestinian Authority.

The report, titled "Annual Threat Assessment of the Intelligence Community," said Hamas, in the aftermath of its war with Israel in early 2009, has intensified the threat to the PA.

The report warned that both Fatah and the PA were split over such issues as a successor to chairman Mahmoud Abbas

as well as government reforms. The report said Hamas planned to exploit the divisions within Fatah and could challenge the PA over the next year.

"Disagreement between Fatah and Hamas about a range of issues such as the timing of national elections

and formation of a unity government could lead Hamas to challenge the legitimacy of Abbas's government and will remain obstacles to Fatah-Hamas reconciliation," the report said.

The PA has also been threatened by the increasing divisions within the ruling Fatah movement in the West Bank. The report said the battle between Fatah's old guard and younger members has blocked plans to convene the movement. Abbas's term had been scheduled to expire in January 2009.

"These internal conflicts threaten to fracture the party and damage its prospects in the run-up to PA presidential and legislative elections in 2009 or early 2010," the report said. "There is no consensus among Fatah officials regarding a replacement for President Abbas, who has not groomed a successor, and no potential leader has gained Fatah's full support."

The Hamas threat has been enhanced by Iranian financing, training and weapons since 2006.

"Hamas and the Palestinian Authority are engaged in an intense competition, with both sides seeking to emerge from the conflict in a stronger political position, but relations between the two organizations have been further embittered by the crisis," the report said.