v.c
19.08.02, 15:50
Aid to the Palestinians
Congress has routinely used its "power of the purse" to hold hostage U.S. aid
to the Palestinians. Not out of coincidence, those who have called for the
suspension of aid have also been part of efforts to blame the Palestinians
for periodic impasses in the peace process while absolving the other party of
any guilt. Wherever they have been able, they have sought to impose broad and
stringent conditions on any U.S. aid to the Palestinians.
It is important to note that all U.S. funds for the Palestinians go to
specific projects rather than to the Palestinian Authority. Furthermore, U.S.
aid to the Palestinians is provided indirectly through non-governmental
organizations not controlled by the PA. Every penny is regulated, completely
transparent and accounted for under strict U.S. guidelines.
After the Oslo Agreement, the U.S. announced a five-year, $500 million
economic aid package for the West Bank and Gaza: $375 million in grants from
the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and $125
million in loan guarantees from the Overseas Private Investment Corporation
(OPIC).
From all international sources, the Palestinian Authority was promised $4.2
billion in foreign assistance in the five years following Oslo, but received
just $2.5 billion, most of it from Western Europe.
Aside from the huge discrepancies in aid to the parties of the Oslo peace
process, the Palestinian people continue to endure economic hardship that
could be at least partially alleviated by U.S. economic aid. President
Clinton has repeatedly stressed the importance of economic development for
the Palestinians by saying "no peace stands a chance of lasting if it does
not deliver real results to ordinary people". Secretary Albright has noted
that pledges of financial assistance to the Palestinians symbolize "a message
of hope and concrete support".
