It doesn't sound right, wrote most observers. By Alaa Abdel-Ghani The last-minute decision by jailed Palestinian activist Marwan Barghouti to run in the 9 January elections for the Palestinian presidency has not gone down well. Though it will make for a real contest -- the fiery Barghouti will pose a serious threat to the dour Mahmoud Abbas who most observers thought would win comfortably -- Barghouti's entry also threatens to split Fatah and perhaps the very core of Palestinian society, and shatter the unity that has been on display ever since the death of Yasser Arafat last month. Hardly a publication, Palestinian or otherwise, supported Barghouti's decision to try to succeed Arafat. Wrote the Palestinian Al-Ayyam in commentary: "In our opinion, his decision to run in the presidential elections... is cause for concern for Fatah and the Palestinian street's unity. It will most probably hurt him and his status within Fatah, as well as outside it." Al-Ayyam in another commentary: "Undoubtedly, Marwan Barghouti's decision to run will unleash great dangers for his political future... and Fatah's unity. The question that should be asked is: Why does he gamble on almost everything and what are his reasons for doing so?" From the Palestinian Al-Hayat Al-Jadida : "All the readings of Marwan Barghouti's decision do not favour this distinguished fighter... His declaration was preceded by an announcement of allegiance to Abu Mazen, Fatah's only candidate... This is surely a wrong step." The British-based Al-Quds Al-Arabi was of the same opinion. "Barghouti's insistence on nominating himself for the elections, and the fierce campaign against him by the old guard who are in control of Fatah, will divide this movement into two camps." For a change, an editorial in the Saudi Al- Riyadh sided with Barghouti. "Marwan Barghouti has become an important figure in the Palestinian cause, not because he is a combatant and well-educated prisoner among his people, but because he is carrying the burden of a new generation... Barghouti's participation in the Palestinian presidential elections may be because he is aware of the general scene, so he has the courage to take risks in this mission." Neutral was the editorial of Lebanon's Al- Anwar : "Marwan Barghouti sees himself as a Palestinian Mandela. He is a hero of the first Intifada, which led to the Oslo agreement." Back through to the anti-running camp. In Asharq Al-Awsat Bilal Al-Hassan wrote, "The puzzling candidacy". "Barghouti's candidacy is truly perplexing. On 26 November he said he would not run and would support Abbas. He won praise for standing aside. Then came an about-face just a couple of days later. What happened during the interim to change his mind... He will lose his stature for he will become one of 'them', no longer the activist." Also in Asharq Al-Awsat Faisal Abu Khidra wrote, "No to Marwan Barghouti's candidacy: "His U-turn was a mistake. It showed hesitation... His candidacy will force Abbas to perhaps make promises he might not be able to keep. He has also harmed the name and legacy of Arafat who put the Palestinian cause before the person." At odds with the commentary opposed to Barghouti running was a snap online poll in Al- Quds Al-Arabi on Monday in which 59.5 per cent of those who voted supported Barghouti's candidacy while 40.5 per cent opposed. Leaving Barghouti, the attack on the Saudi consulate in Jeddah on Monday made front page news. Al-Riyadh had these headlines: "Three terrorists killed and two captured in attack on US consulate in Jeddah." "The Council of Ministers condemns the terrorist assault and reiterates the kingdom's determination to root out terrorists and cleanse the society of them." In the Saudi Al-Jazeera on the front page: "Bush thanks the kingdom. Police were on the scene in a few hours. Five residents killed. Attempt to burn down one consulate building fails." After predictable denunciations, Asharq Al- Awsat 's Mishari Al-Thayidi described all US embassies as "locked vaults when they should be bridges of culture and learning. That is the world today." In three issues, much was on the mind of Abdel-Wahab Badrakhan in the Saudi-funded daily Al-Hayat. "While French President Jacques Chirac was greeting high-ranking veteran Lebanese official Walid Jumblatt and praising him, the French prime minister (Jean-Pierre Raffurin) was busy trying to take the air off the Lebanese- based Manar TV satellite channel" for its anti- Semitic content. "The problem between France and Al-Manar is akin to the problem between the United States and Arab satellite TV stations that the US constantly complains are bias. But had the US not gone to war with Iraq and occupied it there would not be such a problem in the first place." On Donald Rumsfeld remaining in his post, Badrakhan compares the US defense secretary to Shaul Mofaz, the Israeli defence minister. "One leads a 'defence army' while the other is head of a 'Ministry of Defence' although neither one defends anything except the right to kill." Badrakhan on Syria: "The US Syrian Accountability Act and UN Resolution 1559 did not come out of the blue. Syria is a target, and has been for long, especially after Arab solidarity has virtually collapsed, because of its ties with Iran, and the downfall of the Iraqi Baath Party. The pressure is on Damascus." On the back page of Al-Hayat, Jihad Al- Khazin wrote on the brewing UN oil-for-food scandal and why it has erupted. "Every time Kofi Annan says something that America does not want to hear, or takes a stand in direct contradiction to that of the United States, he and the UN are assailed by the American right-wing who firmly believe Bush is president of the world and should run the world body the way he sees fit. "How could Annan direct the selling of oil tens of thousand of miles away while American forces stationed in Iraq by the tens of thousands cannot prevent the sabotage of Iraqi oil pipelines?"
