Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas stated in an interview with Israeli Maariv newspaper that US President Bush wants an Israeli-Palestinian agreement before the end of his term in the US Presidency. Abbas said the Americans are determined to urge both sides to reach a political agreement before the end of the second term of President Bush. He added: this is what I heard from President Bush and Secretary of State Rice and both want a Palestinian-Israeli agreement within one year. The second term of President Bush ends in January 2009. when asked about the nature of the final agreement, Abbas said: there is a need to reach a final formula and at a later stage we can think about implementation and a timetable for it but first we have to settle the problems and find a formula that can make us reach a final agreement. The agreement must be based on the following principles: The Palestinian state must extend until the 1967 borders (before the Israeli occupation of the West Bank and Gaza Strip) with al-Quds al-Shareef as its capital and all problems must be settled including the Palestinian refugees problem. The Palestinians need to know what will be the ultimate scenario of their state and all related issues. on the issue of the refugees, he said: We need to find a just solution through finding a creative solution. He didn’t elaborate on this matter. He said No one can force Israel to accept to absorb millions of refugees inside Israel but at the same time no one can force the refugees to give up their aspirations and forget the oppression inflicted on them. I have ideas on this matter and I will present them at the right time. When asked about his plan whether he wants to run for presidency again, he answered: Aren't three years and a half enough?

President Abbas met yesterday with head of Israeli Meretz Party Yosi Beilin in Ramallah. When asked by reporters about the date for the early elections, he said: we cannot talk now about a date for the elections but there is a desire and decision to go to early presidential and legislative elections. There won't be any dialogue with Hamas until it ends all the results of the coup it executed in Gaza Strip. on the report published at Haaretz newspaper on Olmert's ideas and plans for negotiations, Abbas said: What we read in Haaretz newspaper is encouraging but we want to listen to this from the Israeli government directly. On the file of Shalit, Abbas said Shalit is seized by Hamas but unfortunately we don't have now any influence regarding his release.

In the meantime, President Abbas accepted yesterday the resignation of Mohammed Dahlan from his post as National Security Adviser and from his post as Secretary of the National Security Council which was dissolved earlier by President Abbas. Dahlan said in his resignation letter: because of my special conditions and because medical treatment might take some time, I took the decision to submit my resignation as national security adviser, but I will remain a loyal soldier serving the president. Dahlan is receiving physiotherapy in one of the Yugoslavian hospitals following two surgery operations in his knees last March. A source in the Presidential Office said Dahlan submitted his resignation based on a request mentioned in the report of the Investigation Committee which completed its report and is expected to present it to President Abbas today on the coup in Gaza. The Committee concluded that Dahlan can be either discharged or he can submit his resignation. Dahlan chose the second choice and Abbas accepted the resignation immediately.

Dr. Rafiq al-Husseini, head of President Abbas Office, said the Investigation Committee looking into the failure to confront the outlaw militias in Gaza ended its works and will submit its report to the President today. The committee headed by Tayyeb Abdul Rahim questioned dozens of military and security commanders for more than 120 hours. the Committee was mandated to submit its recommendations to the President anytime as it deems necessary and this is why President Abbas issued decrees and awarded medals to people in relation to the incidents in Gaza. The Committee will transfer sixty military personnel from all ranks to the military judiciary. Among those questioned were President Abbas, Mohammed Dahlan, Abdul Razzaq al-Majaideh, Ahmad Halles, Tawfiq Tirawi, Rashid Abu Shbak, Rawhi Fattouh and others.

In the meantime, one of the assistants to the President said the President decided to issue within the next few days a decree for a new law for the elections through which the next PLC elections will be held based on full proportional representation.

Published at Al Ayyam NewsPaper on July 27, 2007