Bush waives restrictions on Palestinian aid

Reuters ^ | 14 Jul 2005 | Reuters

[Sabramerican]

Bush waives restrictions on Palestinian aid

WASHINGTON, July 14 (Reuters) - President George W. Bush formally waived U.S. restrictions on providing direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority on Thursday in a move that set the stage for spending $50 million on projects in the Gaza Strip.

The announcement came on the same day that a fragile Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire was imperiled, threatening disruptions to Israel's planned evacuation of settlers from occupied Gaza.

Israel launched a fourth air strike in the space of an hour in the Gaza Strip on Friday, witnesses said, hours after an Israeli woman was killed in a deadly rocket attack.

On May 26, during a visit to the White House by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, Bush said the United States would provide $50 million in aid to the Palestinian Authority.

On Thursday, he issued a directive to Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice formally waiving restrictions on providing money to the Palestinian Authority. He also notified the U.S. Congress of his decision.

The money is to be used for housing, roads, schools and health clinics in the Gaza. The administration had faced opposition to providing direct aid to the Palestinians from some members of Congress.

A senior Bush administration official said Bush determined the waiver was important to U.S. national security interests.

"Direct assistance at this crucial time directly supports the president's June 24, 2002, vision of two democratic states -- Israel and Palestine -- living side-by-side in peace and security and promotes our wider interests in the region," the official said.

[Sabramerican]

The Congress that said NO is controlled by Republicans.

[Sabramerican]

fragile Israeli-Palestinian cease-fire

hours after an Israeli woman was killed in a deadly rocket attack.

Don't you just hate those fragile cease fires which include rocket attacks and Mall bombings.

[SouthernFreebird]

I'm actually sorry I voted for Bush...I shoulda sat it out.We don't really have 2 parties do we....

[Conservative Firster]

"The money is to be used for housing, roads, schools and health clinics in the Gaza."

Palestinian Schools: Breeding Grounds for Hate

"living side-by-side in peace and security"

Oh crap! My head just exploded

[teenyelliott]

Yea. Our tax dollars at work. Oh, please, Mr. Gubmint man, take more of my money and give it to terrorists who refuse to build their own country. Please give more of our money to countries that hate Americans, but will gladly take our money, laughing all the while about how stupid we are.

Just damn.

[joesnuffy]

I got an idea...screw the freaking terrorist child murdering Palys..

Give OUR tax money

To the Veterans Hospitals...making sure it only goes for patient care and rehab

[Luigi Vasellini]

Bush isnt a leader he's a politician!!

[snowman1]

The first 20 mil goes to Arafats fat widow.

[Wolfhound777]

...formally waived U.S. restrictions on providing direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority on Thursday in a move that set the stage for spending $50 million on projects in the Gaza Strip.

Shouldn't Homeland Security investigate this charity for muslims to determine if there are any links to terrorist financing? After all, the Palestinian Authority was founded by and is populated by muslim terrorists. This $50 million would be much better spent purchasing more bombs to drop on the heads of the Iraqi terrorists, taliban remnants and Al Q. Instead, funds will be diverted to kill Israelis and funneled to terrorists in Iraq. Good thinking idiots.

[jayhorn]

The difference between Bush and Kerry is that Kerry would have given more than $50 million of our money.

Seems that Bush is not the opposite of Kerry, he's just less liberal than Kerry. He's a "big government conservative."

[inquest]

The difference between Bush and Kerry is that Kerry would have given more than $50 million of our money.

Maybe he would have. It's at least as likely that the Republicans in Congress would have successfully stood up to him, instead of mostly rolling over the way they do now for Bush.

[A_perfect_lady]

I just shake my head when people call Dubya right wing. I think, "Elect me. I'll show you right wing. We'll start with this nonsense about a Palestinian state. There's already an Arab state in Palestine. It's called Jordan."

[ImpotentRage]

I agree - Bush has been the biggest disappointment of my voting life. Two parties? It has been more than obvious that we are being thoroughly screwed by both of them - little to no difference at all.

[Black Tooth]

He's a "big government conservative."

Now that's a new one!

[Thinkin' Gal]

[Convert from ECUSA]

" I think, "Elect me. I'll show you right wing. We'll start with this nonsense about a Palestinian state. There's already an Arab state in Palestine. It's called Jordan."

Sister, you'd definitely get my vote!

[Convert from ECUSA]

"Bush has been the biggest disappointment of my voting life. Two parties? It has been more than obvious that we are being thoroughly screwed by both of them - little to no difference at all."

I couldn't have put it better myself!

[takenoprisoner]

you got it!!!

[SJackson]

If you'd like to be on this middle east/political ping list, please FR mail me.

..................

[SJackson]

Shouldn't Homeland Security investigate this charity for muslims to determine if there are any links to terrorist financing? After all, the Palestinian Authority was founded by and is populated by muslim terrorists. This $50 million would be much better spent purchasing more bombs to drop on the heads of the Iraqi terrorists, taliban remnants and Al Q. Instead, funds will be diverted to kill Israelis and funneled to terrorists in Iraq. Good thinking idiots.

Hamas won 76 out of the 118 seats in the municipal elections in Gaza. If you or I wrote a check to these guys we'd go to jail.