Azerbaijan, Baku, 25 September/ Trend , corr U. Sadigova, T. Jafarov/ Iran's offer to hold referendum in Palestine is less likely to be accepted by both ruling Fatah and Hamas, strategic ally of Tehran since it can weaken positions of confronting movements.
"It does not matter for Palestine who will make proposals to change situation in Palestine. The important is for these proposals to be suitable for us and Palestinian people," Mushir al Masri, spokesman for Islamic resistance movement Hamas said to Trend by telephone from Gaza strip/
"Tehran has worked out a document to hold referendum in Palestine and will bring up to the consideration of UN Secretary General Ban ki Moon soon," ISNA news agency of Iran quoted Iranian President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad as saying.
Ahmadinejad said holding referendum in Palestine under Iran's control will provide security and stability in the region. Iran concerned over situation in Palestine, especially blockade of territories of civilians which is an international crime, President said.
"If such actions are not crime, then what is crime and what does the role of UN include?" he said.
Iran's support for Hamas and its opposing occupation of Palestinian lands by Israel enables Ahmadinejad to openly express his ideas about security problems in the region. Though Iran insists on good results of referendum, Tehran obviously pursues its own interest with this regard.
Iran renders support to Hamas as a support for all Palestinian people. However, Palestinians do not trust "friendly" Iran in reshaping situation under current political Fatah-Hamas confrontations and on the background of upcoming elections.
" Iran can make its proposals as a help, but it does not mean that we will hear it to the detriment of the Palestinian people," Masri said.
Iran is not likely to make efforts in UN in vain while Tehran's relations with West and UN are the brink of war due to the "nuclear" ambitions of Iran. Ahmadinejad's key goal in Palestine may be disputes with Israel over Iran's nuclear program.
" Iran's key goal is to secure its nuclear program," Mohammad Yagkhi, expert on foreign policy of Palestine said to Trend by email.
Ahmadinejad's attempts to shape Iran as a peaceful and trusted state are mixed up with Iran's policy of control in Near East. It would be easier for Tehran to sever ties with US and its allies at all if they continue expand their influence in the region, expert said.
"Thanks to its policy, Iran is a key player and figure in Near East. West has already forgotten about other countries including Iraq and Afghanistan and totally absorbed with Tehran's game," Yakhi said.
Referendum initiative indicates Iran's confidence in its Palestinian allies as Hamas and safe game in the region. On one hand, to persuade Fatah or Hamas of referendum will not be easy. On the other hand, Palestinians can accept it immediately as the region is noted for a fragile domestic situation.
Opinion of Iranian expert Anis Naggash shows that results of referendum will be positive for Palestine with the support of Iran as it will help Palestinians accelerate process of self-determination and to recover occupied lands.
If referendum will be held among citizens living within the state and beyond its boundaries, then parties and organizations functioning in Palestine will accept results of referendum.
"The goal of this project is to secure peace in Palestine. Therefore local government and population will accept results of the referendum," Naggash said to Trend .
Iran's relations with Hamas have been good since 1982 when it was founded with Sheik Ahmad Yasin. Tehran still supports key aim of the organization - fight against Israel's occupation of Palestinian lands. Tehran's relations with Fatah are tense to some degree because of Iran's support for the movement.
"It is possible that Iran's referendum plans will bring Fataha and Hamas closer to solve problems," Yakhi said.
R. Hafizoglu ( Baku) also contributed to this article.
The correspondent can be contacted at: [email protected]
