Abbas says intifada was mistake [View All]

[Englander]

Associated Press
Wednesday December 15, 2004
The Guardian
http://www.guardian.co.uk/israel/Story/0,2763,1373865,00.html

Mahmoud Abbas, the Palestinian leader campaigning to succeed Yasser Arafat in elections next month, said the four-year-old armed uprising against Israel was a mistake and must end.

His strong statement, which could cost him some electoral support, sent a challenge to militants and set the stage for a resumption of peace efforts if he wins.

In an interview with the London-based Arabic newspaper Asharq al-Awsat, Mr Abbas said Palestinians should continue resisting Israeli occupation, but only through non-violent means.

"The uprising is a legitimate right of the people to express their rejection of the occupation by popular and social means," Mr Abbas said. "Using the weapons was harmful and has got to stop."