Wednesday, May 10, 2006

Quartet agrees to channel aid to Palestinians

As I reported here, the EU had already decided that it was not acceptable to leave the Palestinians in their present condition - where medical supplies were running low and international observers had warned of a situation similar to Kosovo emerging - and had already decided that they would fund the PA no matter what the outcome of the Quartet talks.

Now the Quartet, I suspect with the above in mind, has agreed to "endorse a temporary international mechanism that is limited in scope and duration" to ensure help gets through to the Palestinians.

I am suspicious that this is simply the US attempting to keep control of a situation that was running away from them, as other country's were not willing to watch as the Occupied Territories collapsed into mayhem.

The US, the people who told us that the deaths of half a million babies was a price worth paying in Iraq, were not so squeamish; and would have watched mayhem in the Territories if they thought it might bring about the collapse of Hamas.

So the compromise, whilst it is to be welcomed, is also to be watched like a hawk.

The US, who have insisted that this aid be "limited in scope and duration" have done so only in order that they may retain control of the process.

Their overall aim remains the bringing down of the democratically elected government of Hamas.

So, whilst there is some satisfaction that the Palestinians may be about to experience some relief from their hardship, those of us who care for their rights must continue to monitor the situation closely.

Neo-Cons have a way of appearing to lose an argument, only to remount it when one least expects it and to fight the case all over again.

The EU victory is only partial.

The Americans have lost a battle here, they have not yet lost the war.

Click title for source.

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US opens the door for Europe to save Palestinians from funding disaster

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