Posted on 09/15/2003 3:17:50 PM PDT by PatrioticCowboy
U.S. to Withhold Some Funds from Israel
Mon September 15, 2003 04:24 PM ET
WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The Bush administration said on Monday it planned to withhold some funds from Israel because of its settlement activities in Palestinian areas.
The deductions would come from a $9 billion package of U.S. loan guarantees to help Israel weather a deep recession and fiscal crisis.
But administration officials said they have yet to decide whether to penalize Israel for building a fence through the West Bank. Congressional aides doubted the White House would carry out that threat.
Under legislation authorizing the loan guarantees, the United States would deduct from the face value of the loan guarantees an amount equal to any Israeli spending on settlement activities in Palestinian areas.
An administration official said those deductions were consistent with past U.S. policies. He did not specify an amount that would be deducted or when it would take place.
"We can't preclude any deductions (for fence construction). That is still a matter for discussion," the official added.
President Bush has called the fence "a problem" because it makes it hard to develop a contiguous Palestinian state.
Israel and its allies in Congress argue that expenditures on the security fence should not be deducted from the loan guarantees.
Israel wants the barrier -- in sections a concrete wall and in others metal fencing -- to keep out Palestinian suicide bombers. Palestinians describe it as a new "Berlin Wall" that grabs territory they want to be part of an independent state in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
Israel and its allies in Congress argue that expenditures on the security fence should not be deducted from the loan guarantees.
Bush on Monday designed Secretary of State Colin Powell to oversee the loan program.
Even though Israel should defend her self, and Arafat should be removed instantly, our defense plan cannot accomodate an even angrier Arab population.
It's bad PR you see. When the anger over Iraq subsides, then Arafat will be dealt with in a manner becoming of his position as a leader of a people.
Marginalization of Arafat is going to take covert action by the CIA-Mossad. His own people must reject him. If he is killed or ousted by force, the perpetual violence of Palestinian terror will increase.
I think Bush and Sharon have a plan here.
Even though Israel should defend her self, and Arafat should be removed instantly, our defense plan cannot accomodate an even angrier Arab population.
It's bad PR you see. When the anger over Iraq subsides, then Arafat will be dealt with in a manner becoming of his position as a leader of a people.
Marginalization of Arafat is going to take covert action by the CIA-Mossad. His own people must reject him. If he is killed or ousted by force, the perpetual violence of Palestinian terror will increase.
I think Bush and Sharon have a plan here.
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Lets get the show on the road and tell the Oily corrupt Mideast that the gig is up and they are all on the wrong side of history.
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