It’s the most troubling battle in the ongoing Palestinian war between “insiders” and “outsiders.” Those who signed the letter were activists who remained in the West Bank and Gaza during the intifada, while Arafat’s administration is packed with PLO cadres who followed their leader to exile in Tunis. The outsiders have returned to control the plum jobs and the graft. The insiders are condemned to the largely meaningless council.
U.S. officials are angry with Arafat for continually ignoring their demands to improve his human-rights record. This week he stands to face a grilling from Secretary of State Madeleine Albright, who will visit the region.
