JACKPOT AT THE END OF THE ROAD:

Talks open on big boost in aid to Palestinians (Steven R. Weisman, December 17, 2004, The New York Times)

The Bush administration has opened discussions with European and Arab countries on a four-year aid package of $6 billion to $8 billion for the Palestinian Authority that would be contingent on steps by Israel and the Palestinians to improve security and freedom of movement in Gaza and the West Bank, according to American and Palestinian officials.

The aid package, to be funded by the United States, Europe, Arab countries and other donors, would be the largest per capita international aid program since World War II, according to the World Bank. American and other officials said the package was the subject of intense discussions at a donors meeting on Dec. 8 in Oslo, intended to bolster recent signs of progress in the Middle East.

According to participants, the aim of the Oslo meeting was to help moderate Palestinian leaders after the death of Yasser Arafat and to prepare for the implementation of Prime Minister Ariel Sharon's decision to pull settlers and forces out of Gaza and parts of the West Bank.

To support the new Palestinian leaders and send a signal to European and Arab leaders to step up their own aid programs, the United States announced in Oslo that it would add to the $200 million it contributed indirectly to the Palestinians this year by channeling another $20 million directly to the Palestinian Authority.

Nice how you can buy support for the "unacceptable" unilateralism of Mr. Bush and Mr. Sharon.

Posted by Orrin Judd at December 17, 2004 8:23 AM