This is how 'moderate' Abbas is

Abbas is not so much moderate as moderated by his newly close allies: Ehud Olmert, Hosni Mubarak and Condalezza Rice. This is one gang I would never want to join. Amongst other disturbing news I read in The Guardian yesterday, this stood out like a nasty red pimple: "Mr Abbas cancelled the licences of all non-governmental organisations."

Unfortunately this is one unsightly pimple I can't squeeze and it is ruining my day. Outlawing and shutting down NGOs is the favourite past-time of many repressive regimes, including the Saudi Kingdom - another unattractive member of Condi's gang.

Dalia Nammari
Associated Press
Sunday, June 24, 2007
"Abbas on Friday ordered all non-governmental groups, including those allied with Hamas, to get new operating licenses, and they now have a week to comply. It was one of his most far-reaching moves against Hamas yet, since the militants took control of Gaza more than a week ago.
[The adjective far-reaching makes this emergency law-style decree sound merely decisive and thorough - a form of tough love]

However, heads of those groups warned that Abbas' decree may be difficult to enforce since Hamas' social network provides vital services in an increasingly impoverished society, often stepping in where the cash-strapped government fails to deliver."