Palestinian faction suspends PLO membership

A Palestinian faction announced Sunday it was suspending its membership with the Palestine Liberation Organization to protest US-backed Mideast peace talks.

The Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine (PFLP) said in a statement that it will not be "a cover for policies that would devastate the national cause."

It was further stated that the decision to resume "failed" negotiations points to "the destructive pattern of the Oslo supporters and a surrender to the imperialist demands of the US and Israel who seek to abolish the Palestinian people's historical national rights."

The group described the decision to resume talks as a dangerous withdrawal from the PLO's decisions.

Fatah criticized the step. Fatah Central Committee Spokesman Mohammed Dahlan said the decision was "disappointing" and called on the group to issue a retraction, at a time when a Palestinian UN delegation stands firm in its unwillingness to compromise Palestinian principles.

In has been reported over the past few weeks that several Palestinian groups were considering their PLO membership following the decision to return to the negotiating table.

Palestinian and Arab sources said that Arab states were encouraging such groups as the PFLP and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine to withdraw from the PLO and consider the establishment of a Palestinian body representing all groups opposing peace talks.

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