PLC (Palestinian Legislative Council) Deputy Speaker, Hassan Khreisha, declared that a parliamentary panel would be meeting soon with President Yasser Arafat to request he sign a presidential decree over reform within the Palestinian Authority.
President Arafat had admitted the need for such reforms in his speech in parliament Wednesday, adding that several government officials have misused their powers and positions for personal gain, emphasizing the need to correct what he described as ‘erroneous practices’.
Khreisha told Al Bawaba that the PLC had prepared the legislative decrees required for the reforms in question and is trying to get them signed by Arafat. Khreisha also added that a special panel was formed last month to discuss these reforms and the situation in Gaza, the results of which have not been released yet.
"If the president approves the decrees, that would be a positive thing but if not; the decrees will be discussed in parliament and a serious decision will need to be taken," conveyed Khreisha.
Khreisha added that the panel has not succeeded in achieving anything with Arafat so far; however he did express optimism vis-à-vis Arafat signing the decrees.
"We hope that the panel could achieve something with President Arafat, but we still have serious concerns based on a long history of dealing with him. Arafat's speech carried good intentions but we still need something real and not only words," Khreisha explained.
"What we need is to have the PLC's decisions executed. Arafat said in his speech in front of parliament that the PLC’s demands will be considered, and according to the constitution the executive power should abide with any decision made by the PLC," he commented.
According to several PLC members, one of the decrees expected to be signed by Arafat is one that emphasizes how the constitution defines the relationship between the legislative and executive powers, hence the relationship between Arafat himself and the government.
Several other decrees expected to be signed as well are regarding the definition of the security apparatus, the approbation of the reforms document approved by the PLC back in May 2002 and finally a draft resolution that demands of the attorney general to investigate all corruption cases directed to him by the PLC.
Corruption is currently the center of interest amongst the Palestinian public but was never discussed amongst the government as the judicial system is not independent of them.
“We need a real judicial power which is able to bring anyone to court regardless of his position. What we have now is a judicial body but not a judicial power,” Khreisha concluded. (albawaba.com)
© 2004 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
