Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., January 05, 2008 Tevet 27, 5768 | | Israel Time: 23:31 (EST+7) web haaretz.com   Back to Homepage Rosner's Domain Diplomacy Defense Jewish World Opinion National Print Edition Advertising Books Arts & Leisure Business Real Estate Easy Start Travel Week's End Anglo File Magazine

U.S. President George W. Bush. (Reuters) Last update - 08:23 05/01/2008 U.S. President George Bush is likely to visit Israel again in May By Anshel Pfeffer, Haaretz Correspondent and The Associated Press Tags: U.S., Shimon Peres, Israel  U.S. President George Bush, set to arrive in Israel on Wednesday, is likely to visit a second time later this year, Haaretz has learned. Bush is expected to attend an international convention which President Shimon Peres will hold in May to mark Israel's 60th anniversary. Bush was invited a few months ago, but only recently has Washington confirmed his participation. The event is being organized by a special team of The Jewish People Policy Planning Institute, an independent academic body affiliated with the Jewish Agency. It will deal with diverse issues ranging from the future of the Jewish people, to geo-politics, technology and environment. Advertisement Numerous world leaders and leading scientists will be invited over the next few days. U.S. announces substantial boost in economic aid to Jordan The United States will substantially increase its economic assistance to Jordan in fiscal year 2008 by 48 percent to reach $363.5 million, A U.S. embassy statement said Friday. The 2008 Consolidated Appropriations Act passed by Congress and signed by President George W. Bush last week provides Jordan with US$363.5 million in Economic Support Funds and $300 million in military assistance. The statement said the act includes the authority for the U.S. to participate in Jordan's Paris Club discounted debt buyback operation. It added that this special authorization is to be provided on an exceptional basis in recognition of the partnership with Jordan. "Jordan is among our strongest partners and closest friends. This increased level of assistance shows the bipartisan support in America for the difficult choices Jordan has made in its homegrown reform efforts," said U.S. ambassador David Hale in the statement. Human Rights Watch: Make aid to Jordan conditional on reforms An international human rights watchdog called on the United States and the European Union last month to hold back funding to Jordan unless the country reforms laws restricting freedom of assembly and association. Human Rights Watch said both donors have promised to assist Jordan in developing its democratic institutions and strengthening civil society but have provided funding without demanding necessary reforms. "It's a futile exercise of misplaced philanthropy for the U.S. and EU to be rewarding Jordan for continuing to restrict the activities of civil society groups," HRW Mideast Director Sarah Leah Whitson said in a press statement. "The U.S. and EU should withhold funds to the government until the unnecessary restrictions are lifted." The rights watchdog urged Jordan to reform restrictive laws that it said sharply reduce the freedom of individuals and organizations to meet, organize and demonstrate in public. HRW said the measures violated Jordan's constitution and international rights conventions signed by the country. Related articles: Jordan to Israel: Don't hinder peace talks with unilateral measures Human Rights Watch urges U.S., EU to condition Jordan funding Abdullah: Israel must cede land for Mideast peace and security Israel to remove Jordan, Egypt from list of 'dangerous states' Bookmark to del.icio.us   Remebering Anne Replica of Anne Frank annex opens in Liverpool church. After Iowa Is there room for both McCain and Giuliani's campaigns?   1.   all that money just to be Izzy`s little friend 17:41  |  muslim 04/01/08   2.   Wrong target 17:56  |  Natallie Durson 04/01/08   3.   Aid to Jordan is the right thing 18:06  |  Abdul Aziz Higazi 04/01/08   4.   Jordan needs more investment.! 18:07  |  Stephen. 04/01/08   5.   president bush 18:36  |  george 04/01/08   6.   Jordan maintains racist anti-Semitic laws on their books 18:36  |  chick 04/01/08   7.   Support for Jordan 19:30  |  Mike 04/01/08   8.   Response to #1 `muslim` 19:35  |  Jake 04/01/08   9.   MUSLIM LOLOL LOL LOL 19:41  |  TOBIA 04/01/08   10.   1 Muslim 20:17  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/01/08   11.   Jake - Don`t Forget 20:21  |  Mark of Lewiston 04/01/08   12.   do you rhink george will have peace in iraq and afghanistan by 21:29  |  victor hardman 04/01/08   13.   Bush should just move there. 00:28  |  jc 05/01/08   14.   12 Victor - Not a Chance 01:13  |  Mark of Lewiston 05/01/08   15.   10 months until elections. Get moving! 03:31  |  Pablo B 05/01/08   16.   Yes, clock is ticking 04:39  |  D 05/01/08   17.   to Jake#8 06:26  |  Watcher 05/01/08   18.   #16 you will be disappointed nothing will change 09:29  |  victor hardman 05/01/08   19.   limping and quacking your way 10:51  |  ghostoflutherblisset 05/01/08   20.   Bush tours the world in his final year 10:59  |  Benjamina 05/01/08   21.   the American economy 11:52  |  george 05/01/08   22.   #16 This American is happy to pay taxes to help Israel 14:31  |  Petra 05/01/08   23.   the American taxpayer 15:41  |  george 05/01/08   24.   BUSH = A washed out LOOSER. 16:33  |  lofasz 05/01/08   25.   U.S.President Bush 20:21  |  Michael 05/01/08   26.   U.S.President,visit to Israel on May 21:36  |  Michael 05/01/08   27.   Israel & Iraq a footpedal for the USA 21:59  |  John Fellows 05/01/08   28.   arab oil rich countries 23:20  |  Paul 05/01/08

Today Online Amos Harel: Israel is not the only one exercising restraint Responses: 224 Ramon: Crackdown on outposts likely to start after Bush visit Responses: 180 Wiesenthal Center calls on UN to focus on suicide bombings Responses: 363 Editorial: The IDF is an army that has ceased to function as an army Responses: 242 Qassam rocket strikes Sderot, damaging homes and cars Responses: 171 Rosner's Domain Is there room for both McCain and Giuliani? New poll: Obama, Huckabee, who's better for Israel? The Judaism of Alicia Silverstone (WTR) Rosner's Guest: How to raise Jewish children The green line is turning red More Headlines 23:20 IDF kills Hamas man in Gaza; Qassam damages Sderot homes 22:47 Bush: U.S. would defend Israel in event of Iranian strike 22:11 Poll: 81 percent of Israelis back increasing IDF targeted killings 23:00 U.K. seeks new international conference on Mideast peace in London 19:55 Replica of Anne Frank annex opens inside Liverpool church 19:57 IDF withdraws from Nablus after 3-day operation in W. Bank city 21:54 Vilnai: Israel should free Marwan Barghouti in swap for Shalit 15:22 PMO: Holocaust survivors will get stipends within two weeks 20:16 After Iowa: Is there room for both McCain and Giuliani? 19:05 Poll: Fatah losing support among West Bank, Gaza Palestinians Previous Editions Select Day 04 jan 03 jan 02 jan 01 jan 31 dec 30 dec 28 dec 27 dec 26 dec 25 dec 24 dec 23 dec

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