Bush aid to PA criticized in DC

Jerusalem Post ^ | Nov. 20, 2004 | JANINE ZACHARIA

[yonif]

The Bush administration's effort to win Congress's blessing for $20 million in direct aid to the PA, to help, in particular, pay for elections in January has been met with resistance on Capitol Hill.

"We understand that the administration is now reconsidering," a House Republican staffer said. "It was supposed to be for election purposes."

State Department spokesman Adam Ereli described the aid as "an idea that's under consideration."

"No decision has been made. So it would certainly be premature to conclude that we are or are not going to do something," Ereli added. Ereli said Thursday the aid request should be seen as part of the US effort to "revitalize the Palestinian economy."

An e-mail circulated to congressional committees by the State Department last week, and cited in news accounts, said the US wanted to provide "badly needed assistance to precisely those elements of the new Palestinian leadership most in need of resources and legitimacy among the Palestinian public."

The $20m. would be used for "election support and payment of salaries" and would encourage donations from others.

Reuters quoted a source close to House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-Texas) as saying Delay had expressed "serious concerns" about the money and that he wanted aid tied to Palestinian reforms.

In July 2003, the US awarded the PA $20m. in direct aid, part of a multi-million-dollar package, for repairing and maintaining roads, public buildings, and power, water, and sewage lines damaged in fighting with Israel. It was the first time the US granted the PA direct assistance.

[claudiustg]

Not a dime to the little monkeys until they renounce the murder of civilians.

[rocksblues]

Reuters quoted a source close to House Majority Leader Tom Delay (R-Texas) as saying Delay had expressed "serious concerns" about the money and that he wanted aid tied to Palestinian reforms

RINO's are being cataloged and watched!

[THX 1138]

20 million is chump change for these guys. Tell 'em to tap Arafat's Swiss accounts if them need some cash...

[csvset]

Oh, that PA, I thought this was another Specter thread.

[Valin]

Great minds think alike.

[clee1]

Not one red cent to these 3rd world savages!

[qam1]

Oh, that PA, I thought this was another Specter thread.

That's what I thought too.

But yes, Send that $20 million to our PA instead, More specifically send it to Philidelphia to combat voter fraud.

[Rabble]

"But yes, Send that $20 million to our PA instead, More specifically send it to Philidelphia to combat voter fraud. "

It would take lots more than that to clean out that RATS nest!

[Luke21]

The pubbies are standing up for what's right. The administration has been acting like the Ford Administration ever since the election. Good job, Congress.