Posted on 01/31/2007 4:45:22 AM PST by Alouette
WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President George W. Bush has ordered the transfer of about 86 million dollars in aid to strengthen security forces loyal to Palestinian president Mahmoud Abbas, the White House said.
Confirmation of the US aid came a day after an Islamic militant carried out the first suicide bombing inside Israel in nine months and as Abbas' Fatah party is locked in a violent power struggle with the Islamist movement Hamas.
The aid is part of a broader US push to revive peace negotiations between Abbas and Israel and comes ahead of a meeting here Friday of the so-called Quartet of Mideast mediators -- the US, Russia, European Union and United Nations.
US officials said the aid, described as non-lethal assistance including training, vehicles and uniforms, would help Abbas counter militant attacks on Israel like Monday's suicide bombing in the Red Sea resort of Eilat which killed three Israelis plus the bomber.
"The idea is to build the legitimate security forces, to help provide law and order in Gaza and the West Bank, fight terror, and to facilitate movement and access especially in Gaza," said national security spokesman Gordon Johndroe.
The money will go "to support efforts to reform Palestinian civil security forces under the direct command of the Office of the President," said the spokesman.
"Our funds will be utilized exclusively for non-lethal supplies and training," he said. "This has obvious security and economic benefits for the Palestinians."
The United States and European Union cut off aid to the Palestinians after Hamas won legislative elections and gained control of the self-rule government in the Gaza Strip and West Bank.
The Quartet issued a statement laying down conditions for a resumption of international aid, which included the Hamas-led government recognizing Israel's right to exist and renouncing violence -- steps the Iranian-backed movement has refused to take.
The Quartet aid freeze, coupled with an Israeli refusal to hand over tax revenues it collects on behalf of the Palestinians, plunged the territories into a deep economic crisis.
In a bid to end the aid boycott and revive talks with Israel, Abbas has tried for months to negotiate a power sharing deal between his secular Fatah and Hamas, but with no success.
The political showdown turned violent after Abbas announced in December that he would call new legislative elections in hopes of wresting control from Hamas.
In the latest flare-up in fighting between Hamas and Fatah loyalists, 35 people have been killed in the Gaza Strip since Thursday.
State Department spokesman Sean McCormack acknowledged that strengthening Abbas' security forces weakened by in-fighting and years of Israeli and international isolation under former Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat would be difficult.
"It's a tall order because these were security forces that were fragmented, set against one another, and in many cases thoroughly corrupt under the rule of Yasser Arafat," McCormack said.
"But we're dedicated to it," he said.
Warning! This is a high-volume ping list.
Fatah is just as hopeless as Hamas. The organization essentially started out as Black September, and Abbas was the money man. I hope both sides fight it out to the point that none of them are left standing. Maybe that is the plan here...?
who's bright idea was it to give these scumbags weapons? "Gee, I promise not to use them against anybody, especially israel"....anyone who would believe that is a moron, a fool, and just plain stupid. Professional politicans have got to go.........the whole stinkin' lot of 'em
I'll assume Bush isn't stupid, so what then is he??? If we know the suicide bomber belongs to Abbas, surely Bush knows as well...
Abbas and his terrorists are not an ally with Israel...Hussein only paid 25 thousand for bomb attacks...Bush pays 86 million...
What is your evidence to support this, or is it just wishful thinking?
more and more money leaving our hands. Spend, spend, and oh did I mention Spend?
IMHO, we seem to find money for all of these other countries but yet we can't seem to find enough resources and money to keep illegals from coming across our borders. We just seem to find the money when it is some other country. To be bluntly honest, can we help out our country first before we start sending money to everyone and their mothers?
If it sets Hamas and Fatah at each others' throats, maybe it's not such a bad idea....
Both organizations need to be destroyed completely and utterly--and then perhaps we can start over with a new generation of Palestinians. There will NEVER be any hope of peace as long as each preaches hate and unending Jihad toward Israel and the West.
High Volume. Articles on Israel can also be found by clicking on the Topic or Keyword Israel. or WOT [War on Terror]
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Good idea, they need the weapons
Abbas urges: 'Raise rifles against Israel'
'American weapons to be used on Jews' U.S. providing arms to bolster Abbas (against Hamas)
US training Fatah in anti-terror tactics
US arms to be given to Mideast terrorists?-Force 17 leader rifles for security used against Jews
I don't think...
I don't think...
Aw, Jeeze, not this.......AGAIN!
Dear Administration:
1. "Palestinian ally" my wide Aunt Fanny!
2. Not a nickel, not a dime, STOP sending my tax money to "Palestine".
A generation which will emerge several decades after they cease incitement and dismantle terror groups. A task they’ve been obligated to for a decade and a half, and have yet to start. Abbas is an Arafat crony, who has indicated that American arms and aid will be turned against Israel, not fellow Palestinians.
Also, Fatah is a secular organization, unlike Hamas, and may ultimately be pragmatic in accepting Israel. They have a long way to go, but I don't think we should give up now.
A secular Marxist organization which has shown no interest in accepting Israel. A decade and a half after they agreed to amend their charter. In an agreement the US is a party to.
The administration has given up. They’ve made an unconditional state by the end of the GWB’s Presidential term a cornerstone of American policy. Neither the palestinians refusal to recognize Israel nor their likely status as a terror state will stand in the way. The alternative would be to hold them to their agreements under Oslo, or even the road map, which won’t happen.
Abbas urges: 'Raise rifles against Israel' 'American weapons to be used on Jews' U.S. providing arms to bolster Abbas (against Hamas) US training Fatah in anti-terror tactics US arms to be given to Mideast terrorists?-Force 17 leader rifles for security used against Jews
they are simply acting according to their nature. If there are no kuffir to kill, they will happily fall on each other. Allahu fubar!
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