EXACTLY ACCORDING TO SCRIPT:

Palestinian Survey Shows Rising Frustration with Leadership (Laurie Kassman, 04 Oct 2004,VOA News)

An overwhelming majority of Palestinians say they want political reforms, but doubt their leaders will provide them. That's according to a survey published by the Palestinian Center for Policy and Survey Research, which shows decreasing public confidence in the Palestinian Authority, but no clear alternative in the near future.

More than 90 percent of Palestinians questioned by the pollsters say they want massive political and economic reforms.

But, Khalil Shikaki says, only about 51 percent believe the Palestinian Authority is serious about holding elections, implementing reforms and eliminating corruption. Mr. Shikaki heads the policy center in Ramallah that conducted the survey among 1,300 adults in the West Bank and Gaza.

Events in Palestine--especially this turning inward and demanding reform--could not adhere any more closely to what was predicted all along if Israel and America just unilaterally imposed a state. The lessons here are important for Chechnya and Iraq too.

Posted by Orrin Judd at October 4, 2004 11:30 AM