U.S. cautious on Palestinian accord
The United States and other world powers avoided endorsing a planned political bargain between warring Palestinian factions Friday, saying it was too soon to say if the new government will meet international conditions for legitimacy and financial aid.
The Bush administration said little in public beyond careful praise for Saudi Arabia's role in bringing the two factions together. Behind the scenes, officials did not sound optimistic that the deal can end Palestinian violence or a year-old international boycott.
"Peace is not at hand," said one U.S. official, speaking on condition of anonymity because Washington is still reviewing the deal's details.
I say let them have at it. Might save us some time and money.
At stake is roughly $1 billion a year in frozen aid from foreign donors in addition to approximately $500 million in withheld tax revenues collected by Israel on behalf of the Palestinians. The embargo has crippled the Palestinian government's ability to function, though the West and Israel have funneled millions of dollars through Abbas' office to prevent a complete collapse of the government.
If the U.S. and Israel are not convinced Hamas has sufficiently moderated, the West is unlikely to lift the sanctions, and it will be difficult to advance the peace process.
As good a reason as any to stay away from this mess:
France urges world to back Palestinian accord.
Run fast.
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