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| Middle East |
| Senior PA officials squandering public money |
| 2002-07-10 |
| Israeli daily Maariv has released a detailed report delineating the involvement of senior members of the PA in acts of corruption and squandering of public funds. The information was reportedly obtained from PA documents seized during the Israeli armyâs incursion into the West Bank in April. PA officials? Squander money? Impossible. Say it ain't so! While Palestinian officials label the report âIsraeli propagandaâ See? That explains it all. the documents reportedly tell of a $1.5 million villa in Jericho constructed by Palestinian Legislative Council Speaker Ahmad Qurei' (Abu-Ala), using public funds, as well as a $100,000 grant awarded to the deputy to Information Minister Yasir Abd-Rabbuh for the construction of his private residence. Abu Alaa was being talked up as a possible successor to Whatsisname just a couple days ago. A million and a half buys a pretty nice little shack to hang out in when not leading the impoverished masses against the Hated Zionist Enemyâ¢... The report reveals that former minister Nabil Amroâs son received a $50,000 wedding gift from the PA. That, and some sheets and towels and a toaster. Get 'em started in life right, y'know? Another generous grant, which followed no formal procedures of approval, was a double living stipend arranged for Palestinian Planning Minister Nabil Shaâathâs son, during his studies in France. Well, it's pretty expensive living in France. The price of hookers has gone up like you wouldn't believe... Public funds are also violated by the Palestinian police who extort $50 per month in protection money from Hebron merchants, while in Tulkarm a businessman was required to pay the intelligence apparatuses a $100,000 ransom for his brotherâs release from prison, having been accused of collaboration with Israel. If the local merchants don't pay off the coppers, who will? What else are they there for, anyway? Other allegations of corruption taking place under the PA relate to Jericho, where a gasoline station owner had to allow PA security forces unlimited fuel at no cost, while through bribes and forgery, the PA seized lands owned by the Orthodox Church in Bethlehem. Trifles. Mere trifles. "One or two rotten apples," y'know... A deputy of Abu-Ala is quoted by Maariv as accusing âKey officials in the PA suffer from a lack of credibility and talent⊠There is an unnecessary multiplicity of ministries, appointments of relatives, waste, monopolies, bribery, thefts of equipment and money and hidden unemployment." Bet he's looking forward to a new career in the food service industry, assuming his family can raise the ransom... |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |