U.S. pledges $900 million in aid to Palestine

U.S. offers $300 million to Gaza, rest to Abbas

Source: Reuters Foundation

Date: 01 Mar 2009

- U.S. to split funds between Gaza and Palestinian Authority

- Europeans seek more flexibility with Hamas

- U.S. says Quartet conditions remain (Adds details on amount, quotes, European diplomat’s comments)

By Sue Pleming

SHARM EL-SHEIKH, Egypt, March 1 (Reuters) – U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will pledge $900 million for the Palestinians at a donors’ conference in Egypt, but only a third of that is earmarked for Gaza, a U.S. official said on Sunday.

State Department spokesman Robert Wood said the pledge at Monday’s conference amounted to $300 million to meet “urgent” humanitarian needs in Hamas-ruled Gaza after Israel’s military invasion in December, and would be funnelled through U.N. and other organizations.

“Hamas is not getting any of this money,” Wood told reporters in the Egyptian coastal resort, where Clinton arrived late on Sunday on the first leg of a week-long trip to the Middle East and Europe.

About $200 million of the U.S. pledge would help cover budget shortfalls of the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) and the remainder was for economic reforms, security and private sector projects run by the PA, said Wood.

Monday’s conference is aimed at raising funds to help with the post-conflict recovery of Gaza after Israel’s offensive, but Washington also wants it to bolster President Mahmoud Abbas’s Palestinian Authority, which governs the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

“We have to shore up the Palestinian Authority,” said Wood.

How much of the U.S. contribution will ultimately materialize is unclear as the funds have to be agreed by the U.S. Congress, which is more focused on fixing an economic crisis, and suspicious that some of the aid will reach Hamas.

U.S. aid contributions are further complicated by reconciliation talks among Palestinian factions, including Hamas, which the United States brands a terrorist group.

The United States and its so-called Quartet partners in Middle East peacemaking — Russia, the United Nations and the European Union — have demanded that Hamas recognize Israel, sign on to Israeli-Palestinian accords and renounce violence before it can be accepted as a partner.

FLEXIBILITY?

But a senior European diplomat said some European countries were looking at how they could be “more flexible” by dealing with a potential Palestinian government that included Hamas, if the wide rift between the two factions could be bridged.

Without a unified government, funds raised at the conference could not be distributed properly, the diplomat said.

Wood said the U.S. position was firm on Hamas meeting the three conditions, and Clinton would reiterate this in informal talks with other Quartet members on Monday.

“We must not send mixed signals to Hamas,” said Wood. Clinton did not speak to reporters in person.

After the conference in Egypt, Clinton travels to Jerusalem to see Israeli politicians, who are trying to cobble together a new government after February elections.

Human rights groups have also urged Clinton to press the Israelis to ease restrictions on border crossings into Gaza and allow aid and goods to pass freely through.

Wood said the United States wanted to “see those border crossings open” but that smuggling of weapons had to stop. “It’s a difficult situation,” he said.

Clinton plans to meet Benjamin Netanyahu, the hawkish Israeli prime minister-designate who on Saturday abandoned efforts to form a broad coalition government with centrist Tzipi Livni, who has been involved in U.S.-brokered peace talks.

Livni has accused Netanyahu of insufficient commitment to the talks, and her decision not to join a government weakens Clinton’s effort to kick-start the peace effort that her husband, Bill Clinton, failed to conclude when he was president.

Silvan Shalom, a Netanyahu ally, told Reuters the Likud leader would engage in dialogue with the Palestinians but would not agree in advance to the two-state solution advocated by the international powers since the Oslo accords of 1993.

Clinton will also travel to the West Bank to see Abbas and Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, before going to Brussels for meetings with NATO foreign ministers.

(Editing by Kevin Liffey)

U.S. applauds opening of Special Tribunal for Lebanon at Hague

Missoula, March 1 (Al-Masakin)–Acting State Department Spokesman Robert Wood said in a statement to the press that the United States applauds the opening of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon at the Hague.  The Special Tribunal for Lebanon was established June 10, 2007 to prosecute those responsible for the attack that killed former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri and 22 others Feb. 14, 2005.

“Today’s opening of the Special Tribunal for Lebanon represents an important step toward justice in the 2005 assassination of former Lebanese Prime Minister Rafiq Hariri. His death —along with the deaths of other Lebanese patriots — was an unsuccessful attempt to undermine Lebanon’s sovereignty. The Lebanese people answered his assassination with the Cedar Revolution, leading to the withdrawal of Syrian troops and the most democratic Lebanese elections in decades.
“The Tribunal is a clear signal that Lebanon’s sovereignty is non-negotiable. Moreover, we hope it will help deter further violence and end a sad era of impunity. Too many Lebanese families have never seen justice for the murder of their loved ones.
“We applaud the brave and tireless work of the UN International Independent Investigation Commission and Lebanese judicial authorities who have brought the investigation and Tribunal this far. We will continue to assist their efforts, and recently pledged another $6 million, pending Congressional approval, towards the Tribunal’s operations in addition to the $14 million already contributed,” the press statement said.

The United States supports the mandate of Universal Jurisdiction except when applied to itself or Israel.  The United States adheres to the American Service-Members Protection Act in 2002, an act which has been called the “Hague Invasion Act” by employees of the ICC because the United States, through this document, promises to invade Holland if any American government officials or service members are ever indicted there. The the American Service-Members Protection Act authorizes the President to use “all means necessary and appropriate” to bring about the release from captivity of U.S. or Allied personnel detained or imprisoned against their will by or on behalf of the ICC.

EHC / EHC

State Department calls Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA) “unsalvageable”

Missoula, March 1 (Al-Masakin)–The U.S. State Department said in a press release on Friday that the United States will not participate in the upcoming Durban Review Conference to be held April  20-24 in Geneva calling it “unsalvageable” because the document of the organization singles out Israel and calls for reparations for slavery.

“The document being negotiated has gone from bad to worse, and the current text of the draft outcome document is not salvageable. As a result, the United States will not engage in further negotiations on this text, nor will we participate in a conference based on this text. A conference based on this text would be a missed opportunity to speak clearly about the persistent problem of racism,” Acting State Department Spokeman Robert Wood said in a press release Feb. 27.

“The U.S. believes any viable text for the Review Conference must be shortened and not reaffirm in toto the flawed 2001 Durban Declaration and Program of Action (DDPA). It must not single out any one country or conflict, nor embrace the troubling concept of “defamation of religion.” The U.S. also believes an acceptable document should not go further than the DDPA on the issue of reparations for slavery.”

 

The Durban Conference is a follow-up to the 2001 UN World Conference against Racism, Racial Discrimination, Xenophobia, and Related Intolerance (WCAR). The UNCHR is responsible for organizing and convening the event.

 

The statement to the press went on to say that the United States found the trajectory of UNHRC’s Universal Periodic Review “disturbing” and would therefore participate in the next round of UPRs May 4-15 as an observe only because of its criticism for Israel which the State Department finds “unbalanced.”

 

“We share the concerns of many that the Council’s trajectory is disturbing, that it needs fundamental change to do more to promote and protect the human rights of people around the world, and that it should end its repeated and unbalanced criticisms of Israel.”

 

EHC / EHC

Gaza: State Department unsure if pasta counts as humanitarian aid

Missoula, Feb. 25 (Al-Masakin)–State Department spokesman Robert Wood responding to questions about Israel’s refusal to allow pasta into the Gaza strip said that he was uncertain as to whether or not pasta should be considered humanitarian assistance.  Israel is currently only permitting rice into the region.

“I…can’t tell you whether…pasta should fall… into that category of humanitarian assistance or not,” Mr. Wood said at the State Department’s daily press briefing this morning.

Mr. Wood, on behalf of the State Department, implied that the phrase “humanitarian assistance” might apply only to things which are determined to be ”absolutely necessary,” but conceded that that decision would be best left to the NGOs and other international organizations such as the UNRWA in the area, the very organizations which have complained that they are being denied that right by Israel. 

Q. “Shouldn’t all food and medicine be allowed into Gaza at this point? I mean, is that really…even a question about dual use?”

A. “I can’t give you an assessment of…whether all of these things are absolutely necessary to meet the humanitarian needs of the Gazan people. That’s better left to those international organizations and NGOs…who are in the area trying to work on this issue. I just can’t make that kind of determination,” Robert Wood said.

When asked whether or not Israel should use the denial of aid as political weapon and tie aid to the release Gilad Shalit the Spokesman refused to comment. During the Q & A that followed Mr. Wood said that he did not believe the question as to whether or not Israel ought to be deciding what kinds of food Palestinians should eat was a legitimate question.  The edited transcript of that Q & A follows.

Q. “Do you think that Israel should be tying the amount of aid and supplies getting into Gaza to the release of Corporal Gilad Shalit?  Some people in Israeli Prime Minister Olmert’s staff have complained…that aid is being used as a political tool.”

A. ”It’s not for me…to engage in these types of…issues.”

Q. “You can’t say whether…aid should be used as a political weapon?”

A. “Well, aid should never be used a political weapon. But again, I’m not engaged in those discussions that are going on with regard to, you know, the opening of the borders and with regard to the ceasefire.”

Q. “Is Israel honoring the ceasefire in terms of allowing the aid? Are they meeting their obligations?”

A. “I just can’t give you that kind of assessment at this point…But we’re going to continue to push, as I said, to get humanitarian supplies in to the people of Gaza.”

Q. “But can you imagine any circumstance under which pasta could be considered a dual-use item? Or…is rigatoni somehow going to be used as a weapon?”

A. “I’m not involved in those discussions…And I think we should leave it.”

Q. “Can you take a question on the pasta, please?”

A. “I’m not going to take the question on the pasta.”

Q. “Why?”

A. “Because it’s…We’re trying to get humanitarian supplies in…to the people in Gaza.”

Q. “Do you think food is a humanitarian supply?”

A. “Food certainly is.”

Q. “All kinds of food?”

A. “I’m not able to tell you.”

Q. “Can…you take the question of what kind of food that the U.S. thinks is a humanitarian supply?”

A. “I’m not going to take that question, because I don’t think it’s a legitimate question.”

Q. “Should Israel decide what food the Palestinians need?”

A. “I’m sorry, Elise…I’ve spoken on it.”

EHC / EHC

Media Alert: Acting Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman to meet with Syrian Ambassador Imad Mustafa Thursday, Feb. 26: To discuss Syria’s alleged acquisition of N-weapon

Missoula, Feb. 25 (Al-Masakin)–State Department spokesman Robert Wood confirmed that Acting Assistant Secretary of State Jeffrey Feltman will meet with Syrian Ambassador Imad Mustafa Thursday morning Feb. 26 at the State Department.  Syria’s active support for Palestinian organizations on Washington’s list of Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs), human rights, and alleged Syrian interference in Lebanese domestic affairs will be on the State Department’s agenda.

The State Department has also asserted that Syria has acquired nuclear weapons and other WMDs.

“There remain key differences between our two governments, including our concerns about Syria’s support to terrorist groups and networks, Syria’s acquisition of nuclear and non-conventional weaponry, interference in Lebanon and worsening human rights situation.

“This meeting is an opportunity to use dialogue to discuss these concerns,” Robert Wood said this morning.

EHC / EHC

NATO seeks new supply route to Afghanistan through Iran

http://www.indybay.org/newsitems/2009/02/03/18567932.php

NATO seeks new supply route to Afghanistan through Iran

by al-masakin
Tuesday Feb 3rd, 2009 8:24 AM

Defence
US in Dire Need of Iran’s Help to Fight Afghan War

nato-afghanistan-iran_3feb09.pdf
download PDF (82.3 KB)

TEHRAN, Feb. 3 (FNA)—As Afghanistan moves to the center-stage in US foreign policy, the new administration in Washington will need more than a troop surge to defeat the Taliban and bring peace and it will have to engage Iran.

President Barack Obama’s administration is conducting a full policy review on Iran which is expected to include Tehran’s role in Afghanistan, while the head of NATO, which leads some 55,000 troops in Afghanistan, said dialogue with Iran was crucial to fighting the insurgency there.

“It is absolutely essential, you cannot stabilize Afghanistan without Iran,” said Ahmed Rashid, author of a widely acclaimed book on the Taliban.

Germany, the third largest troop contributor in Afghanistan, has also joined the chorus of diplomatic voices for dialogue with Iran, suggesting recently a “contact group” of nations to kick-start rapprochement.

With the US planning to deploy up 30,000 extra troops to Afghanistan in the next 12 to 18 months, and faced with supply-line challenges over insecure routes from Pakistan, the need for wider regional cooperation is acute and urgent.

“Pakistan has only been partially helpful in fighting al Qaeda and the Taliban … talking to Iran will put a lot more pressure on Pakistan and neighboring countries to cooperate with NATO and American forces in Afghanistan,” Rashid said.

When asked whether any future talks with Tehran might touch on Afghanistan, US State Department spokesman Robert Wood said there needed to be a regional approach to Afghanistan and that included Iran last week.

Alternative routes to Afghanistan for US and NATO supplies have been agreed with Central Asian states to the north, but given its access to major ports on the Caspian Sea and the Persian Gulf, Iran would be an invaluable transit route, though the likelihood of military supplies coming through Iran is a distant prospect.

NATO’s top military commander said Monday that the alliance would not oppose individual member nations making deals with Iran to supply their forces in Afghanistan as an alternative to using increasingly risky routes from Pakistan.

“Those would be national decisions. Nations should act in a manner that is consistent with their national interest and with their ability to resupply their forces,” Craddock, an American who is NATO’s supreme allied commander, told the AP. “I think it is purely up to them.”

Securing alternative routes to landlocked Afghanistan has taken on added urgency this year as the United States prepares to double its troop numbers there to 60,000 to battle a resurgent Taliban eight years after the US-led invasion.

It also comes at a time when the main supply corridor through neighboring Pakistan is becoming increasingly dangerous as insurgents attack convoys that supply the foreign troops in Afghanistan.

Some political and military leaders have hinted at the need for closer cooperation with the government in Iran over the war in Afghanistan, where some 70,000 NATO and US troops are currently trying to beat back the resurgent Taliban.

The Islamic Republic has a long history of opposing Taliban rule.

Some experts suggest that nations with good relations with Iran such as France, Germany and Italy may try to set up an alternate supply route to western Afghanistan via Chah Bahar, a port in southeastern Iran.

“NATO is looking at flexible, alternate routing. I think that is healthy,” Craddock said, when asked about the possibility of using Iranian territory for supply.

“Options are a good thing, choices are a good thing, flexibility in military operations is essential,” he said. “What nations will do is up to them,” he said, without elaborating.

Craddock’s comments came after US Central Command chief Gen. David Petraeus said last month that America had struck deals with Russia and several Central Asian states close to or bordering Afghanistan to allow supplies to pass through their territory.

US and NATO forces in Afghanistan get up to 75 percent of “non-lethal” supplies such as food, fuel and building materials from shipments that cross Pakistan.

FNA/EHC
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Al-Masakin News Agency
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