Military

DATE=05/16/02

TYPE=CORRESPONDENT REPORT

TITLE=PALESTINIANS / REFORMS (L)

NUMBER=2-289863

BYLINE=ROSS DUNN

DATELINE=JERUSALEM

CONTENT=

VOICED AT:

INTRO: Palestinian lawmakers have begun work on legislation to reform the Palestinian Authority. The move follows Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's call (Wednesday) for overhaul of Palestinian government institutions. Ross Dunn in Jerusalem has more on the story.

TEXT: A special committee of the Palestinian Legislative Council has begun drafting a bill that will include reforms to the Palestinian Authority.

The committee, which is expected to complete its work by the end of the month, is discussing a range of options.

They include holding fresh elections for the Palestinian parliament and local government, limiting the number of Palestinian government ministers, and establishing a new position of prime minister.

It is expected that the prime minister would restrict the dominant power of the president, Yasser Arafat, who is also the head of the Palestine Liberation Organization, which was formed in the mid-sixties with the goal of creating a Palestinian state.

In another move that could limit Mr. Arafat's power, the legislators are reportedly considering making a clear separation between the P-L-O and government institutions.

In his speech to the Palestinian parliament Wednesday, Mr. Arafat said he supported changes to the administrative and security structures of the Palestinian Authority, and he called on Palestinian legislators to come up with proposed reforms.

His speech did not set out any specific changes, though it did refer to a clear separation between the judicial and executive branches.

A bill to ensure such separation was passed two years ago and only signed by the Palestinian leader last week.

Mr. Arafat's speech to the parliament is viewed by many analysts as a response to pressure for reform from within Palestinian society as well as from the United States and Israel. (Signed)

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