Palestinian factions must balance high aspirations against practical exigencies, writes Ibrahim Nafie Mahmoud Abbas and Khaled Meshal didn't give us the breakthrough we wanted, but they clarified a few things. Following their talks in Damascus two days ago, the Palestinian president and the head of Hamas's Political Bureau told reporters that the violence should end, that Palestinian blood was sacred, and that dialogue is the only option available. Nevertheless, Hamas and Fatah are still divided on the formation and programme of the national unity government. They cannot agree on the new ministers of foreign affairs, finance, and the interior, and they cannot agree on whether the new government would respect or fully honour previous agreements with Israel. Hamas says it would respect the agreements, which falls short of the full commitment Fatah wants. Without full commitment, it would be hard for the new government to pursue the peace process or achieve the Palestinian quest for an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital. The Damascus meeting succeeded only because of intensive efforts by Syria's leadership. But one had hoped that Abbas and Meshal would have sorted out all outstanding problems, so as to banish the spectre of future turmoil. Hopefully, the Palestinians will continue to talk. This is a crucial juncture and all factions must place higher national interests above their own. The Palestinian people need to speak in one voice. National dialogue talks have just stared at the Palestine Liberation Organisation Executive Committee headquarters in Gaza. Abbas and Meshal instructed the Higher Follow-up Committee to open talks among all Palestinians factions concerning the formation of a government of national unity. In Damascus, Abbas and Meshal reiterated commitment to national reconciliation while acknowledging the futility of factional rivalry. The Gaza talks must focus on resolving all differences related to the programme of the national unity government. And the interlocutors must keep in mind that they need to strike a balance between aspirations and practical necessity. The Palestinians have already agreed on Ismail Haniyeh as the head of the future government. Now they have to name the ministers of finance, foreign affairs, and the interior. The Palestinians need a government that can end the international boycott, restart aid programmes, and reassert a Palestinian presence in international forums. To do so, the new government should incorporate independent figures that command international and regional respect. According to the statements made in Damascus, the dialogue should resolve such matters within a month. Once formed, the new government must start acting quickly. The year 2007 is likely to bring along new opportunities, but these may disappear once the US presidential campaign picks up speed next year.
