Posted on 02/18/2003 4:31:04 PM PST by blam
Palestinians seek £1bn in foreign aid
By Justin Huggler in Jerusalem
19 February 2003
The Palestinian Authority called for £1bn (£625m) in aid to deal with the worsening humanitarian crisis in the Occupied Territories at talks in London yesterday. Palestinian cabinet ministers and a lower-level Israeli delegation met international donors at the start of a series of meetings on Palestinian reform and international peace efforts.
The first meeting focused on the need for aid. The Palestinian and Israeli economies have been crippled by two years of violence. The Israeli government is seeking $12bn (£7.5bn) extra in aid from the United States.
In the occupied territories the situation is dire. Most Palestinians live on less than about £1 a day, and the level of malnutrition in the Gaza Strip is comparable to that in Congo. The Palestinian Authority's plea for funds was issued after Unrwa, a UN agency that feeds Palestinian refugees in the Occupied Territories, said it needed $94m immediately for food.
The Palestinian delegation travelled to London after the Israeli government lifted a travel ban it imposed on Palestinian officials after a suicide bombing killed 23 people in Tel Aviv in January. It is believed the Israeli authorities lifted the ban under pressure from Washington. The meetings in London was held as Israeli and Palestinian officials began tentative discussions – also apparently under American pressure -- and Yasser Arafat agreed to appoint a new Palestinian Prime Minister to take over negotiations with the Israelis and the day-to-day Palestinian leadership.
Salam Fayyad, the Palestinian Finance Minister, considered a front-runner for the job, ruled himself out yesterday. "I'm not a candidate for this position," he said. Mr Fayyad was reported to be the Americans' favourite. He has won international praise for his efforts to reform the Palestinian economy and root out corruption. But Mr Fayyad said: "I'm a newcomer to the Palestinian Authority. There's no doubt in my mind there are others ... who are more suitable for the job."
Mahmoud Abbas, Mr Arafat's deputy in the Palestine Liberation Organisation and another leading candidate, said yesterday he would consider the job if offered it.
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