Arafat Minister Quits; Further Shake-Up Expected

A committee appointed to investigate charges of corruption submitted a report to Yasser Arafat on Monday that was expected to cause a shake-up in the Palestinian Authority president’s Cabinet.

Arafat already has received a letter of resignation from his justice minister--who riled the United States by supporting the killing of Arabs who sold land to Jews--Palestinian sources said Monday.

Arafat initially said he would refuse to accept Freih abu Medeen’s resignation, but has not responded officially, said the sources, speaking on condition of anonymity.

Israeli media said Medeen submitted his resignation several days ago because of implication in a corruption scandal; the Palestinian sources said he was unhappy about being excluded from decisions on several key appointments.

Members of the committee investigating corruption, appointed by Arafat six weeks ago, refused to give details of their findings.

“Some ministers and deputy ministers will have to face accountability,” said Majed Mazini, a committee member and high court judge. “We recommended that there be changes in the government.”

An internal audit by the state comptroller’s office in May found that $326 million--nearly half the 1997 budget--had been lost to corruption or mismanagement by Palestinian Authority officials.

Palestinian Cabinet Secretary Tayeb Abdel Rahim, who headed the committee, said it has come up with different numbers than the state comptroller.

“Most of the mismanagement came from lack of experience and absence of laws and regulations,” he said.