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Israel-Palestine-Jordan
U.S.: Humanitarian aid to Palestinians won't be cut
2006-02-26
United States State Department official David Welch promised Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas on Saturday that the United States will not cut off humanitarian aid to the Palestinians, even after a Hamas government takes over.
Funding just delays what eventually has to happen.
During the first high-level meeting between the two sides since the election victory of the Islamic militant group last month, Welch assured Abbas that the United States supports the chairman and his policies, and praised his speech during the opening Palestinian parliament session earlier this month, according Israel Radio reported. "The United States has long been a supporter of the Palestinian people, through a substantial contribution of our foreign assistance funds... we continue to be devoted to the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people and it shall remain so," Welch said.

"It is our belief that it is important for the people in the Palestinian territories ... to have a good life in safety and security with economic wellbeing," Welch added.

Welch is to meet Sunday with Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni and Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz.

Chief Palestinian negotiator Saeb Erekat said that Abbas told Welch the United States must respect the Palestinians' election of Hamas last month. He noted that tens of millions of dollars in U.S. aid flow directly into infrastructure projects every year, not to the Palestinian government, which by next month will be controlled by Hamas. "We urged the U.S. administration to continue helping the Palestinian people, as it did in previous years," Erekat said after the meeting. "They have never transferred a single dollar to the Palestinian Authority directly. The money was being transferred via non-governmental organizations."
Every dollar better be audited.
Posted by:Steve White

#12  Well, immunizations, at least. Considering how angry that makes some people, it's something we should do.
Posted by: Eric Jablow   2006-02-26 20:31  

#11  In paleoland, lotp?
Posted by: gromgoru   2006-02-26 19:19  

#10  What means does the average American have to verify that any future aid is only humanitarian aid? Or are we just supposed to trust that the State Department will identify and stop other projects/aid? Who is carrying out America's will that no money go to fund terrorists and how can regular folks verify it?
Posted by: Jules   2006-02-26 12:00  

#9  In other words, 80% of US aid is untouchable. Money is fungible. Let the Arabs and Iranians spend their money feeding them rather than paying for attacks.

Another bit of trivia, 60% of Pali GDP is from foreign aid. That means the aid money is not even circulated one time before it is stolen/leaves the area and the Palis produce almost zilch.
Posted by: ed   2006-02-26 11:53  

#8  I love the "nuance" in this statement. Why don't we just change the name of the department to "the Department of Appeasement"?
Posted by: Desert Blondie   2006-02-26 11:38  

#7  Scream at your arab brothers for money.

On principle, Pals should reject Satan's money. Start screaming about the lack of muslim support. Why only whine about the lack of your enemies support for you?
Posted by: Hupomoger Clans9827   2006-02-26 09:23  

#6  Aid money which goes directly to the individual/agency rather through the blackhole hands of the PA or Hamas is still aid. Wonder how long it will take the idiots to connect the dots when the real hand providing assistance is US and not a terrorist go between. Particularly when the aid is cut off just at the appropriate moment. Teaching cause and effect at the most basic level.
Posted by: Flogum Gleart9450   2006-02-26 09:19  

#5  Not true, gromgoru, as I know that you know well.

They kill each other - esp. Sunnis killing Shia - quite regularly.
Posted by: lotp   2006-02-26 08:55  

#4  "It is our belief that it is important for the people in the Palestinian territories ... to have a good life in safety and security with economic wellbeing," Welch added.

They only kill Jews.
Posted by: gromgoru   2006-02-26 07:52  

#3  They have had 58 years for finding jobns and building an economy. INstead thety are still living of international dole. It is utterly immoral to send humanitarian aid to Palestinians when people are starving in Darfur and getting MUCH lower aid if any.

Not a single cent of Western aid should go to Paleonistan. Let them eat bombbelts.
Posted by: JFM   2006-02-26 07:26  

#2  this contradicts what Condi said. I wonder if Welch has the authority to say this.
Posted by: 2b   2006-02-26 00:50  

#1  Utter bullshit.
Posted by: Captain America   2006-02-26 00:32  

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