Last update - 00:00 22/03/2007
U.S. won't halt financial aid to Abbas' security forces
By Shmuel Rosner and Amos Harel, Haaretz Correspondents and AP
The U.S. intends to continue funding and training Palestinian security forces loyal to Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas, despite the formation of a unity government with Hamas.
Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice told the Congress House subcommittee that controls foreign aid that the State Department was close to completing a revised plan regarding the PA, which would take into account the recent political developments.
The formation of the unity government in the PA has complicated the U.S.'s long-term plans for the creation of a Palestinian security force under Abbas that would counterweigh forces under the control of Hamas. Rice said the administration was trying to find ways to support the development of forces loyal to those who accept the principals of the Quartet. She added the funds requested by the administration for aid for the PA would be reduced.
Congress sources told Haaretz yesterday that under the new circumstances, forces under partial control of Hamas may receive American foreign aid. This would be in violation of the American constitution, as Hamas is classified as a terrorist organization. The American lawmakers froze transfer of all aid funds to the PA several weeks ago, and it is at present unclear if and when it would be renewed.
U.S. Lieutenant-General Keith Dayton, U.S. security coordinator to the PA since 2005, warned Congress last week against Hamas' growing military strength.
If left unchecked, Dayton warned, it would erode Abbas' already limited ability to enforce any cease-fire in the Gaza Strip and increase the chances of Israeli military intervention.
Meanwhile, the Israel Defense Forces soldiers shot and killed a 22-year-old Palestinian yesterday in a gun-battle in the West Bank that broke out during a search for wanted militants around Nablus.
An IDF spokeswoman said the man, Fadi Abu Kishek was a gunman from the Fatah militant group Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigades. Palestinian security sources said, however, that he was unarmed.
Another Fatah gunman was killed yesterday in Gaza, in the first deadly clash between Fatah and Hamas since the unity government was formed last weekend. Several Palestinians were wounded in ensuing exchanges of fire. Hamas accuse Fatah of abducting two of the organization's loyalists.
Fatah said members of Hamas' paramilitary Executive Force fired a rocket-propelled grenade at a home in the northern Gaza Strip town of Beit Lahia, killing a member of the Al-Aqsa Brigades and wounding another.
Hamas confirmed the clash had taken place, but said its men opened fire after being shot at by the Al-Aqsa gunmen.
Several hours after the conflagration, the quartet said an international aid embargo would remain on the PA until three conditions were met: to recognize Israel, agree to past accords and renounce violence.
"The quartet expressed its expectation that the unity government would support the efforts of President Abbas to pursue a two-state solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict," said the statement.