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01/03/2005:

"Abbas Says He Won't Confront Palestinian Militants"

GAZA (Reuters) - Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas said in a presidential campaign speech Monday he would never take up arms against militant groups whose dismantlement is part of a U.S.-sponsored peace ``road map.''

``They are freedom fighters ... and should live a dignified and safe life,'' said Abbas, whose call for an end to violence in a 4-year-old Palestinian uprising has been rejected by militants whose support he is courting in the Jan. 9 election.

Abbas, front-runner in the race to succeed Yasser Arafat, said he was determined to ensure only one authority was in charge of the Palestinian territories, a message to armed groups that attack Israel and have rejected his cease-fire appeals.

But he said he would achieve that goal through ``dialogue and discussion'' as he pursued national unity.

``Palestinians taking up arms against each other will not happen,'' Abbas pledged.
Full Article: nytimes.com/reuters