U.S. to pay $48 million to cover damages to Gaza power station(OPIC & Enron legacies)

Haaretz ^ | 22:22 01/07/2006 | Akiva Eldar

[JerseyHighlander]

Last update - 22:22 01/07/2006 U.S. to pay $48 million to cover damages to Gaza power station By Akiva Eldar, Haaretz Correspondent and Haaretz Service

United States officials said they expect that U.S. funds will be used to pay for the damages caused by an Israel Air Force strike Tuesday on a Palestinian power station in the Gaza Strip. The power station was insured by a U.S. government agency, according to The Boston Globe.

The Foreign and Defense Ministry departments that oversee foreign relations were unaware of the decision to target civilian facilities in the Strip, or the decision to attack the power station. Because of this, officials did not know that the station was insured by a U.S. government agency. Israel did not inform the U.S. prior to attacking the power station.

[JerseyHighlander]

The info was revealed within 6 hours of the bombing of the power station, the US partially paid for, and wholly insured through OPIC programs this subsidized power plant. Best kicker is that it was Enron who originally pushed this through.

The US taxpayer was involved in this in so many ways it's hard to count. Paid for R&D of plane, laser guided bomb, possibly training of the pilot, possibly the bomb itself, the power plant was funded in part with US taxzpayer monies, it was insured by OPIC, which is fully backed by the US taxpayer. The insurance will pay out $48 million directly to Khoudry, who will probably have to pocket the money since Israel will not allow the repair/rebuilding of the plant without something tangible in return this time, i.e. more US taxpayer subsidies to Israel.

It's hard not to laugh at the ridiculously sublime nature of the misfortune of US taxpayers in this situation.

[BenLurkin]

This makes me want to puke.

[BenLurkin]

This makes me want to puke.

[LibertarianInExile]

Jesus H, who is stupid enough to insure a power plant in Palestine?

Oh, that's right, the American taxpayer.

[rovenstinez]

Will they deduct this amount from the foreign aid they give to Israel this year?

[H. Paul Pressler IV]

Another Example of the Clinton Legacy.

[jocko12]

What a waste of my tax paying money.

[familyop]

President Bush Calls for New Palestinian Leadership
The Rose Garden
June 24, 2002
http://www.whitehouse.gov/news/releases/2002/06/20020624-3.html
"The United States, the international donor community and the World Bank stand ready to work with Palestinians on a major project of economic reform and development. The United States, the EU, the World Bank, the International Monetary Fund are willing to oversee reforms in Palestinian finances, encouraging transparency and independent auditing."

Quartet Joint Statement
Summary
July 16, 2002: Text of a joint statement issued by the "Quartet" (United Nations, Russian Federation, the United States and the European Union) following their meeting in New York
[Document behind the link.]
http://europa-eu-un.org/articles/sk/article_1489_sk.htm
"The new international Task Force on Reform, which is comprised of representatives of the U.S., EU, UN Secretary General, Russia, Japan, Norway, the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund, and which works under the auspices of the Quartet, will strive to develop and implement a comprehensive action plan for reform."

[LibertarianInExile]

"Will they deduct this amount from the foreign aid they give to Israel this year?"

Hopefully they'll deduct it from the amount they give the UN this year.

[LibertarianInExile]

"Another Example of the Clinton Legacy."

Nah, this is just general globogummint stupidity. If the Clintons actually had a direct hand in this, the power plant would have been a nuclear breeder reactor.

[MizSterious]

No wonder Condi asked the Israelis to use restraint.

[xzins]

If it's an insurance situation, then the insurance company will pay.

[The Duke]

So, the US government is in the insurance business? Where did I read that in the Constitution?

[willgolfforfood]

I thought just about every insurance policy had an exception for coverage during or because of "acts of war". I'd sure be interested to know it that is the case here.

[MindBender26]

Wonder if there is a (very common) Act of War exclusion in the policy. If there is, American taxpayers are of the hook.

[OkieDoke]

You would think `smart' bombs that we sold would be able to
figure out not to blow up American-insured infrastructure.

[puppypusher]

The U.S. Congress should have blocked that check before it was cashed. Why are we subsidising people who are willing to kill us? It's beyond me.

[gaspar]

Billions for defense, but not one cent for Palestine.

For once let's say no to Foggy Bottom and mean it!

[street_lawyer]

Morganti Group insured it? I presume the insurance is to encourage enterprise in dangerous Arab nations.

A few of the projects that Morganit Goup have under construction.

PAEET PROJECT
KUWAIT $500,000,000 VALUE
WADI MA IN ZARA AND MUJIB WATER TREATMENT AND CONVEYANCE PROJECT
AMMAN, JORDAN $125,000,000 VALUE
MILLENNIUM VILLAGE FACILITIES
AL UDEID AIR BASE, QATAR $80,000,000 VALUE
EXPANSION OF AQABA WASTEWATER FACILITIES
AQABA, JORDAN $35,000,000 VALUE
RESTRUCTURING AND REHABILITATION OF THE GREATER AMMAN WATER SUPPLY SYSTEM
AMMAN, JORDAN $65,551,418 VALUE
AS SAMRA WASTEWATER PLANT BOT
AS SAMRA, JORDAN $320,000,000 VALUE
EGYPT UTILITIES MANAGEMENT/ALEXANDRIA HIGH PRIORITY PROJECTS
ALEXANDRIA, EGYPT $64,848,306 VALUE
WATER & WASTEWATER FACILITY
MANSOURA, EGYPT $24,967,484 VALUE

[DB]

Most normal insurance does not cover damage caused by a war.

And if we do get stuck with the bill, take it out of what we will pay one way or the other to the PA.