This is an attempt by Bush and his administration to change the PA from a terrorist supporting organization to a truly functioning democracy. If the PA switches from the Arafat teat to the US teat, it will start a competition with the PA. The Iranian influence will be lessened, and it gives the US a much stronger hand in guiding PA policy.
This is a good idea by Bush - at least worth a try. It's only 20 mil, and the potential benefit is huge.
We've given them about 1.3 billion through USAID, along with occasional aid from other budgets over the last ten years. It hasn't done much good. This is a drop in the bucket compared with what's coming up, but given the fact that the new leader will be a terrorist like the last, I'd rather see targeted aid (I know they steal it) rather than direct aid. And with some control. If we're building schools, we should have some say in what's being taught.
I guess the US should have tried doing this to the Taliban?
"This is an attempt by Bush and his administration to change the PA from a terrorist supporting organization to a truly functioning democracy."
Right... I guess all those other attempts were just warm up attempts.
You see chief. The mindless support of our enemies is never ending. Politicians are non learners, they refuse to learn from past mistakes.