Gary Fitleberg, December 8, 2004

President Bush signed a waiver allowing the United States to give aid to the Palestinian Authority/Palestine Liberation Organization (PA/PLO).

In a memorandum to the secretary of state Wednesday, Bush said it is "important to the national security interests of the United States" to provide direct aid to the Palestinian Authority, though it violates the Foreign Operations, Export Financing, and Related Programs Appropriations Act of 2004. The United States is expected to give the Palestinian Authority $20 million to help pay outstanding bills to Israeli utility companies, freeing up other money that the Arab "Palestinians" can use to prepare for January elections.

The money is seen as a sign of support for the Palestinian leadership emerging after the death of PA/PLO "Chairman of Terror" Yasser Arafat. Traditionally, aid to the territories has been distributed through intermediaries because of the PA/PLO history of corruption and ties to terrorism.

White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Bush "previously said we want to do everything we can to help the Palestinian people as they move forward on holding elections. And this contribution of financial assistance hopefully will send a signal to other nations as well that they should help the ‘Palestinian’ people as they move forward on conducting these elections."

Bush sends mixed messages to the Arab League of Nations and entire international community regarding the American led "international war on terror" by supporting the terrorist organization PA/PLO despite the efforts of a bi-partisan Congress not to send the Arabs economic and political support.

Gary Fitleberg is a Political Analyst specializing in International Relations with emphasis on Middle East affairs.

Copyright © 2004 Gary Fitleberg