WRAP Abu Ala accepts post of Palestinian PM, Israeli reax
(10 Sep 2003) Ramallah, West Bank 1. Palestinian prime minister Ahmed Qureia (Abu Ala) arrives 2. SOUNDBITE: (English) Ahmed Qureia, Palestinian prime minister (also known as Abu Ala) "We should put emotion aside and we should think seriously about the interests of our people, on both sides, Palestinians and Israelis. What's happened is very dangerous, what's happened with the Israelis is not acceptable, it is dangerous. What has happened with the Palestinians is not acceptable, it is dangerous. And therefore today the President (Arafat) asked me, urged me strongly to accept to form a government, I agreed. And to face this crisis, to face this problem, I agreed, I will take the risk, I will take the responsibility, I will go forward. I hope that I will be able to form an emergency, a government of crisis" 3. Qureia walks off and gets into car Jerusalem 4. SOUNDBITE (English) Jonathan Peled, Israeli Government Spokesman "It is totally up to Abu Ala. And we will see according to his deeds not according to his words whether we really have here a partner for peace. We have had enough promises, and empty words and declarations. We need to see a concerted, serious effort on the ground that will put an end to terrorism. Only then will we be able to move forward together and move along with the road map." 5. Peled talking on mobile phone STORYLINE: Palestinian parliamentary speaker Ahmed Qureia has accepted the job of prime minister after a few days of considering his position. It is thought his decision was hastened by fears that a continued power vacuum could tempt Israel to intensify military strikes. Qureia, widely known as Abu Ala, said he would form a crisis cabinet of no more than eight ministers and seek parliament's approval on Thursday. Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat nominated him on Sunday to replace Mahmoud Abbas, who has resigned. An Israeli spokesman said on Wednesday, his government would judge the Palestinian prime minister-designate on his deeds and ability to deliver an "end to terrorism". Find out more about AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/HowWeWork Twitter: / ap_archive Facebook: / aparchives Instagram: / apnews You can license this story through AP Archive: http://www.aparchive.com/metadata/you...
