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Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in the West Bank city of Ramallah, on Wednesday. (Reuters) del.icio.us Digg It!  new Last update - 00:37 15/12/2007 U.S. to pledge $500 million toward helping rehabilitate PA By The Associated Press Tags: PA, Salam Fayyad, Israel  The United States will pledge about $500 million for the Palestinian Authority government in the West Bank when Arab, European and other nations meet next week, U.S. officials said Friday. The money would go toward a goal of $5.6 billion that former British prime minister Tony Blair hopes to raise to rescue the tattered Palestinian economy and reinforce institutions that would become the backbone of any eventual independent Palestinian state. U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will deliver the pledge at a conference Blair has called Monday in Paris, the officials said. The officials spoke on condition of anonymity because the figure has not been announced and might be changed slightly. Advertisement The money is part of world efforts to improve the Palestinians' financial position as new U.S.-sponsored peace talks begin. Rice cannot promise that she can deliver on the pledge, which must be approved by the U.S. Congress. The money includes about $400 million that the White House has already announced, but that has not been approved by Congress. Some members of Congress are worried that money spent to strengthen the West Bank eventually could benefit a rival radical-led government in the other, separate, Palestinian territory of the Gaza Strip. Other legislators want greater assurance that the West Bank government has shed its long reputation for corruption and cronyism. Rice will meet Sunday with Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad to discuss the pledge. Fayyad is a banker whose clean reputation and efforts to reform the government are often praised by the Bush administration. Fayyad is expected to raise Palestinian frustration that he has been unable to win assurances from Israel that it will ease stifling restrictions on Palestinian movement. The World Bank has warned that unless Israel removes some of the physical and administrative obstacles to Palestinian travel and trade, donor countries may be wasting their money. Even if the donors pay the full amount, the Palestinian economy would keep shrinking by about 2 percent a year as long as the Israeli restrictions remain in place, the World Bank wrote in a report issued Thursday. Israel's military has been reluctant to remove some of the hundreds of roadblocks and barriers in the West Bank, saying they're an effective tool against Palestinian militants, and the Palestinian government does not have sufficient control over the territory to prevent attacks on Israelis. Related articles: Hamas urges PA to boycott Israel talks in wake of IDF Gaza raid Rice: Har Homa homes harm talks Blair urges int'l donors to back PA's $5.6 billion economic plan Olmert vows to 'forge historic path' toward peace with Palestinians Blair: There won't be Palestinian state unless it is coherently run Erekat: Palestinians will not accept Israel as a 'Jewish state' Bookmark to del.icio.us Divisible capital No commandment says J'lem must be under Jewish rule. No permission granted Should U.S. Jews have a say in shaping Israel's policies?   1.   It`s a fraction of what the USA gives Israel each year! 00:20  |  POP 15/12/07   2.   neither cast ye your pearls before swine, lest they trample them 00:47  |  Absolute Sweden 15/12/07   3.   So What! That money comes out of my pocket! 00:55  |  Drew 15/12/07   4.   War process 01:00  |  Frank 15/12/07   5.   Save time. Send it direct to Swiss bank. 01:01  |  leo 15/12/07   6.   POP 01:05  |  joe shmoe 15/12/07   7.   Wait before you donate... 01:06  |  Dr. Salman Mufti 15/12/07   8.   U.S. to pledge $500 million toward helping rehabilitate PA? 01:13  |  Terry 15/12/07   9.   Speaking again, POP? 01:21  |  Steve 15/12/07   10.   POP 04:23  |  schafe82 15/12/07   11.   Steve 04:26  |  schafe82 15/12/07   12.   Money for dancing lessons 06:07  |  DesertEagle50 15/12/07   13.   Aid To Palestinians To Live in Jordan 07:30  |  Khaled 15/12/07   14.   usa - no brains 09:37  |  alw 15/12/07   15.   money cant fix your problems 09:42  |  adam 15/12/07   16.   Corralled Gaza needs help NOW 10:09  |  JW 15/12/07   17.   Fayyad`s Government - Worth the Risk 10:25  |  Mark of Lewiston 15/12/07   18.   More money down the rat hole 11:42  |  Paul 15/12/07   19.   Israel: make the Pals buy the WB and Gaza from Israel 11:59  |  Alicia 15/12/07   20.   #15 Adam: Pals are no handicapped people 12:13  |  Alicia 15/12/07   21.   # 17 Mark of Lewiston...on Fayyad`s government 12:17  |  Lynn 15/12/07   22.   slight drop in bucket 12:52  |  empty pocket 15/12/07   23.   Civil war 13:18  |  Cheops 15/12/07   24.   NO THANKS FOR WORTHLESS SUPPORT 13:45  |  Mohammad 15/12/07   25.   #2 14:03  |  Hilda 15/12/07   26.   21 Lynn 15:01  |  Mark of Lewiston 15/12/07   27.   Boy, timing is everything 15:19  |  Global Citizen 15/12/07   28.   Money for Nuthin` Intafada for free 15:33  |  Gideon Reader 15/12/07   29.   USA funding "Israeli TERRORISM" ~ GW BUSH 15:52  |  POP 15/12/07   30.   use the money to send zion to sahara 17:24  |  bloomin desert 15/12/07   31.   #9 Steve, yes to that!!! 17:48  |  Petra 15/12/07   32.   # 24 Mohammed then give the $$ back to USA 17:49  |  Petra 15/12/07   33.   Wolf in Sheep`s Clothing 17:53  |  Cool B 15/12/07   34.   Keep it here in America!!! 23:53  |  Jamie 15/12/07

Today Online Israel, U.S. to discuss their differering assessments on Iran Responses: 252 Ruth Meisels: No commandment says Jews must rule J'lem Responses: 333 Qassam hits Negev factory; gov't declares 'special situation' Responses: 190 Yoel Marcus: There are no Israeli politicians to rely on Responses: 74 Rosner: Should U.S. Jews have voice in shaping Israel policy? Responses: 58 Rosner's Domain So, Should American Jews have a voice in shaping Israel's policies? Who believes in intelligence reports? American Jews are losing interest in Israel Guest: U.S public doesn't think there is need for or a point to creating a Palestinian state More Headlines 21:23 At least 300,000 Gazans rally to mark Hamas' 20th anniversary 23:57 Meretz chairman Beilin said to withdraw from party leadership 22:53 Livni to try to prevent Quartet condemnation of East Jerusalem construction 20:17 Dichter slams U.S. 'misconception' of Iranian nuclear threat 19:14 Two U.S. Muslims plead guilty to plot targeting L.A. synagogues 19:13 Azerbaijan: 15 convicted of treason gave Iran information on Israel 19:07 Seven people lightly injured in riot at Galilee soccer match 16:32 Report: Germany expelled Iran diplomat who sought nuke parts 06:41 Al-Qaida's No. 2: Annapolis summit was betrayal of Palestinians 13:04 U.S. envoy urges Lebanon to quickly name new president Previous Editions Select Day 14 dec 13 dec 12 dec 11 dec 10 dec 09 dec 07 dec 06 dec 05 dec 04 dec 03 dec 02 dec

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