This is it, folks.
Palestinian Authority Foreign Minister Nasser al-Kidwa declared on Saturday that the PA has no intention to disarm armed Palestinian groups as demanded by the road map peace plan.
Kidwa, a nephew of Yasser Arafat, said the Palestinian groups had the right to keep their weapons as long as the occupation continued. "Using arms under occupation is legal," he explained.
Kidwa's statements stand in sharp contrast to promises made by PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to confiscate illegal weapons from Palestinian groups and individuals, in line with the road map.
And, in a related story, President George W. Bush announced an end to the 'roadmap' initiative, citing ongoing palestinian intransigence and failure to comply....
Yeah, dream on.
Update: IMRA points out that the Palestine Media Center website is currently displaying al-Kidwa's statement as its banner quote of the day.
It is inconceivable to disarm Palestinian factions at this time because armament is legal as long as the occupation continues.
Rebuilt and refocused Palestinian Authority security apparatus begins sustained, targeted, and effective operations aimed at confronting all those engaged in terror and dismantlement of terrorist capabilities and infrastructure. This includes commencing confiscation of illegal weapons and consolidation of security authority, free of association with terror and corruption.
