According to a sociologist at Queen's University in Kingston, the Fatah Revolutionary Council has not reunited with Arafat's Fatah (30 Apr. 1993). Indeed, the two organizations are still fighting at the present time (Ibid.). The professor added that Arafat's Fatah had contacts with Syria's Foreign Minister while participating at the recent meeting of Arab Foreign Ministers in Damascus (Ibid.). The sociologist mentioned that the Fatah Revolutionary Council has been an instrument of Syrian policies in the past, but he is not certain if this support (Ibid.). Arafat's Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) has not yet returned to the same strength as it was before the Israeli invasion of Lebanon in 1982 (Ibid.). The main reason is that the PLO has to compete with the two Shi'a organizations, Amal and the Hezbollah, and also because the Palestinian community in Lebanon is under the control of the Lebanese Army (Ibid.).

According to a report by the BBC Summary of World Broadcasts, the Secretary General of the Fatah Revolutionary Council is Saqr Abu Nizar (26 Feb. 1985). For further information on the above-mentioned subject please refer to the attached documents.

References

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 26 February 1985. "Arrivals and Departure." (NEXIS)

Professor of Sociology, Queen's University, Kingston. 30 April 1993. Telephone Interview.

Attachments

Agence France Presse (AFP). 20 October 1992. "Gunmen Kill Two Fatah Men, Wound Four in Cafe Attack." (NEXIS)

The Associated Press (AP). 2 July 1987. PM Cycle. Ruth Sinai. "Closing of Abu Nidal Office Was Catalyst for Thaw." (NEXIS)

. 21 April 1987. PM Cycle. Michael Goldsmith. "Arafat Says Newly Reunited PLO Will Fight for Jerusalem." (NEXIS)

BBC Summary of World Broadcasts. 22 April 1993. "Breakaway Faction from Abu Nidal's Group Reportedly Formed in Baghdad." (NEXIS)

. 4 November 1992. "Fatah Reportedly Releases 15 of Abu Nidal's Men." (NEXIS)

. 26 February 1985. "Arrivals and Departure." (NEXIS)

The Jerusalem Post. 8 April 1993. "IDF Reportedly Shells Security Zone." (NEXIS)

The New York Times. 12 December 1986. Late City Final Edition. Ihsan Hijazi. "Israelis Raid Palestinian Bases in North Lebanon." (NEXIS)

Reuters. 29 November 1987. AM Cycle. Howard Goller. "Shamir Says Israel Awaits Defence Reports on Hang-Glider Raid." (NEXIS)

. 8 April 1993. BC Cycle. "Syria Denies Helping Abu Nidal Against Arafat." (NEXIS)

. 9 November 1987. AM Cycle. "Abu NidalThe World's Undisputed Most Wanted Guerilla." (NEXIS)

United Press International (UPI). PM Cycle. 10 November 1987. "Red Cross Awaiting Confirmation of Palestinian Kidnap Claim." (NEXIS)

. 8 July 1986. "Israelis Applaud Jordan's PLO Decision." (NEXIS)

The Washington Post. 9 November 1987. Final Edition. Nora Boustany. "Abu Nidal Unit Claims It Captured 8 Israelis." (NEXIS)