MARCH EDITION

Israeli Foreign Minister regrets statements by Naveh, Defense Ministry & Army Chief of Staff order immediate investigation


(Petra-Jordan News Agency).  Foreign Minister Abdul Ilah Khatib on Wednesday received a phone call from his Israeli counterpart Tzipi Livni expressing her regret over the statements made by Israeli Commander Gen. Yair Nave. Meanwhile, Israeli Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz and the army Chief of Staff have ordered immediate investigation on the issue. " Israel views Jordan as a strong and stable country, with a glorious heritage and tradition and a promising future," said a statement issued by the Minister of Defense and the Army Chief. The statements by Nave don't represent in any way the Israeli formal policy, Livni said, expressing her apology for such statements. Earlier in the day, Jordan Charge d' Affaires in Tel Aviv Omar Jamil al-Nadif lashed at Naveh's remarks describing them as "irresponsible". "The Israeli government should take the appropriate measure against this army officer for his words which show lack of discipline and understanding," Nadif said in a statement to Petra. " If something is not taken to correct these negative remarks ....it would have an adverse impact on Jordanian Israeli relations," Nadif added. "The remarks attributed to the Commanding Officer of the Central Command MG Yair Nave do not reflect in any way whatsoever the official policy of the State of Israel," said the Defense Ministry statement. "Israel wishes to express its deep gratitude and appreciation to the vital contribution of the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan to regional peace and stability," the statement said. It added "the Minister of Defense and the Army Chief of Staff instructed an immediate enquiry of the issue." In his remarks the Israeli general warned about and "Islamic axis" extending from Tehran to Gaza and could cross to Jordan to affect the regime there.

 

Arabs, OIC, Sweden and Russia Rushing to 'Aid' PNA UN Envoy Alvaro de Soto: Israel's Decision Unhelpful, Premature


Palestine Media Center - PMC. The Arab League, the Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), Sweden, Russia, Iran and the Muslim Brotherhood are rushing to help the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) survive a "choking financial crisis" resulting from Israeli economic sanctions and withholding US and EU donors' aid following Hamas landslide victory in the legislative elections on January 25. Israel on Sunday fired the opening salvo in an economic war on the PNA, halting monthly tax transfers, imposing other sanctions, bracing for additional embargos, severing contacts with Palestinians, and urging the international donors to stop their aid as well, as President Mahmoud Abbas warned that the PNA is facing "a real financial crisis." "One can assume the lifestyle of the Palestinians will change even though this is not the aim of the government," said the Israeli foreign minister, Tzipi Livni. Dov Weisglass, a senior adviser to Israeli Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert, who helped draw up the economic sanctions, was quoted last week as saying Palestinians "will feel as if they have been on a visit to a dietician. They will become thinner, but they won't starve to death." Palestinian Finance Minister, Mazen Sonokrot, confirmed on Monday that the PNA has been mired in a "choking financial crisis" for more than a year. The crisis was sparked by the non-commitment of Arab and international donor countries to honor their pledges to the PNA, he told Voice of Palestine Radio. "I saw the financial crisis increase because the donors don't pay aid money and some Arab countries are slow to give financial assistance approved by different conferences," Sonokrot said. Cutting off financial aid to the PNA "is a collective punishment against the Palestinian people who practiced their democratic right, in accordance with the (wishes of the) international community," he added.

UN Objects to Israeli Sanctions

The United Nations on Monday voiced concern about Israel's decision to withhold tax funds from the PNA, saying the decision is unhelpful and premature. "These are monies that belong to the Palestinians and should not be withheld," the UN Special Envoy to the Middle East Alvaro de Soto told Reuters. De Soto said Israel's decision to withhold the money ran counter to the position taken last month by the so-called Quartet of major peace mediators -- the United States, the European Union, the United Nations and Russia. After Hamas's victory in a Palestinian parliamentary election on January 25,
the Quartet said foreign donors should continue to aid the caretaker government of President Abbas, at least until Hamas formed a new administration. "Depriving the PA of funds which are due to it at this time would not be helpful," de Soto said. "It follows that the formation of a new government and the approval of its programme should be awaited and that actions prior to that would be premature," de Soto added.

Switzerland Regrets Israel's Decision

Separately, the Swiss foreign ministry on Monday expressed fears that Israel's decision to stop transferring vital funds to the PNA will adversely affect civilians. Switzerland, which is one of the few western governments to recognize Hamas as democratically elected, called on both sides to behave with restraint. "Only a renunciation of violence, a willingness to engage in dialogue and full compliance with international humanitarian law can bring about progress in the search for a just and lasting solution of the conflict," said the foreign ministry in a statement.

Sweden Rushes in with US$6.4 Million

Sweden on Monday rushed in with humanitarian aid to Palestinians. Sweden's foreign aid agency, Sida, said in a press release it will channel 50 million kronor (?5.3 million, US$6.4 million) in humanitarian aid to Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip through the UN relief agency for Palestinian refugees, UNRWA, the UN children's agency UNICEF and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, or OCHA. Sida distributed 92 million kronor (?9.8 million, US$11.7 million) in humanitarian aid to the Palestinians in 2005.

Russia Offers to Provide Emergency Assistance

Russia on Monday offered to provide emergency assistance to the Palestinians as part of international humanitarian relief efforts, the Foreign Ministry said. Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov made the offer during a conference call between members of the so-called quartet of Mideast peace negotiators. Lavrov also said that Moscow would continue to send "urgent aid." US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice talked Monday with partners in the Quartet about the financial situation of the Palestinian territories and their new leaders, a State Department spokesman said. The talks "covered issues of support to the Palestinian people," spokesma Noel Clay said.

Arab League Examines Aiding Plan

PNA Finance Minister Sonokrot said that the secretary general of the Arab League, Amr Moussa, has sent his deputy to Arab countries in an effort to increase aid offered to the PNA. "These countries include the (United Arab) Emirates, Jordan, Yemen, Algeria, Sudan and others," he said. Moussa has said that the Arab foreign ministers who met Monday in Algiers on Monday examined a plan to send about $50 million (euro42 million) a month to the PNA. A final decision is not expected until Arab leaders meet in a summit next month in the Sudanese capital, Khartoum. "The maximum that Arab countries have paid is $100 million (euro84 million) of the $600 million (euro506 million) they agreed to give," a senior Palestinian official, who refused to be identified, told The Associated Press. "Since the Arab summit in Beirut in 2002, the Arab governments decided to give the Palestinians $600 million (euro506 million) a year. That never materialized. The Arabs made promises, but never delivered," said Samir Ghattas, head of the Palestinian Al-Kuds Research Centre. Jordan on Monday said it is important to keep financial support flowing to the Palestinians as the Palestinian people would be the first victim in case this support is halted. "This support should continue because it has a direct impact on the Palestinian people's lives," said government spokesperson Nasser Judeh at his weekly press briefing, according to Petra, the official news agency.

OIC Also Considering Aid

Similarly, the OIC is also considering extending financial aid to Palestine, Malaysian Prime Minister, Abdullah Ahmad Badawi, who is also the OIC chairman, said on Monday. "I have already spoken to some leaders about it. We want to help them (Palestinians)," Badawi said. Iran, a major Islamic country, urged Muslims worldwide to plan "a yearly financial aid package" to Palestinians. Muslims worldwide "must make a plan so all Muslims will be able to supply the Palestinians with a yearly financial aid package," Iran's supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei told visiting Hamas leader, Khalid Mishaal, in Tehran on Monday. "This voluntary gesture will create a spiritual bond among Muslims and the Palestinian cause and have a great impact on the world," Khamenei said. Mishaal said his visit to Iran will be the first of several visits to foreign powers. "We are seeking support of Arab and Islamic states, as well as other countries, for our movement, by making such trips," he said.

Muslim Brotherhood Launches Aid Campaign

At the popular level, Egypt's Muslim Brotherhood on Monday launched a campaign to raise funds for a Hamas-led PNA. Mohamed Habib, deputy leader of the Brotherhood, told the Financial Times that the movement, which gave birth to Islamist movements worldwide, was calling on individuals in the Islamic world to channel donations through the Arab League, the Red Crescent and other relief agencies. Mohamed Hilal, another Brotherhood leader, told the Egyptian independent al Masry al Youm newspaper that members were ready to contribute a quarter of their monthly earnings or more.

EU Silent

Meanwhile, The European Union, the largest donor to PNA, refrained from commenting Monday on Israel's move to withhold Palestinian tax funds. Both Israel and the EU label Hamas as a "terrorist" organization. However, EU foreign policy chief Javier Solana told reporters that the 25-member bloc "will continue to support the Palestinian Authority until the new government is formed and on that we are trying to find the necessary resources." Separately the European Commission spokeswoman Emma Udwin said the EU was aware of Israel's action but signaled the EU did not want to complicate the formation of a new Palestinian government by pushing contentious issues such as halting tax transfers to the Palestinians. "The new Palestinian government has yet to be formed," she said, adding: "As far as we are concerned (the outgoing government) is still a caretaker government."


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FEBRUARY EDITION

HAMAS VICTORY

Palestinian Students Benefit From Saudi Aid

By Ghazhanfar Ali Khan

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia- Some 19,000 Palestinian students will be able to pursue their education with the help of aid extended by Saudi Arabia. "The Palestinian students will enjoy a fee remission of 75 percent during the current semester, mainly because of the $15-million grant made available by the Kingdom," a United Nations statement said yesterday. The Saudi Committee for the Relief of Palestinian People has donated the funds, to be used by a UNESCO program to waive tuition fees of the Palestinian students. "The fee-waiver scheme will be finalized on Feb. 20 when the heads of 34 Palestinian institutions of higher education will sign letters of agreement with UNESCO's office," said the statement. A large number of regional and international donors including Western countries are evaluating ways to support Palestinians in the wake of recent political change. Meanwhile, the OPEC Fund for International Development recently approved a grant of $1.2 million to support the activities of 12 civil society organizations in Palestine's Gaza Strip. The aim is to assist the poorest and hardest hit communities to meet some of their most urgent needs. The grant will be drawn from its Special Grant Account for Palestine and extended to 12 Palestinian NGOs. The OPEC special account was set up in 2002 with an initial endowment of $10 million and has subsequently been replenished twice to boost resources to $40 million.

President Bush Conference on Hamas Election Victory
James S. Brady Briefing Room


Q Mr. President, is Mideast peacemaking dead with Hamas' big election victory? And do you rule out dealing with the Palestinians if Hamas is the majority party?

THE PRESIDENT: Peace is never dead, because people want peace. I believe --  and that's why I articulated a two-state solution early in my administration, so that -- as a vision for people to work toward, a solution that recognized that democracy yields peace. And the best hope for peace in the Middle East is two democracies living side-by-side. So the Palestinians had an election yesterday, and the results of which remind me about the power of democracy. You see, when you give people the vote, you give people a chance to express themselves at the polls -- and if they're unhappy with the status quo, they'll let you know. That's the great thing about democracy, it provides a look into society. And yesterday the turnout was significant, as I understand it. And there was a peaceful process as people went to the polls, and that's positive. But what was also positive is, is that it's a wake-up call to the leadership. Obviously, people were not happy with the status quo. The people are demanding honest government. The people want services. They want to be able to raise their children in an environment in which they can get a decent education and they can find health care. And so the elections should open the eyes of the old guard there in the Palestinian territories. I like the competition of ideas. I like people who have to go out and say, vote for me, and here's what I'm going to do. There's something healthy about a system that does that. And so the elections yesterday were very interesting. On the other hand, I don't see how you can be a partner in peace if you advocate the destruction of a country as part of your platform. And I know you can't be a partner in peace if you have a -- if your party has got an armed wing. The elections just took place. We will watch very carefully about the formation of the government. But I will continue to remind people about what I just said, that if your platform is the destruction of Israel, it means you're not a partner in peace. And we're interested in peace. I talked to Condi twice this morning. She called President Abbas. She also is going to have a conference call today about the Quartet -- with the Quartet, about how to keep the process on the road to peace.

Q If I can follow up, sir.

THE PRESIDENT: Yes.

Q Are you cautioning Prime Minister Abbas not to resign? And --

THE PRESIDENT: We'd like him to stay in power. I mean, we'd like to stay in office. He is in power, we'd like him to stay in office. Sorry to interrupt. I knew this was a two-part question, so I tried to head it off.

Q Will this affect aid to the Palestinians? Will you be able to work with Hamas if they're -- assuming they take on a large share of the government?

THE PRESIDENT: Well, I made it very clear that the United States does not support political parties that want to destroy our ally, Israel, and that people must renounce that part of their platform. But the government hasn't formed yet. They're beginning to talk about how to form the government. And your question on Abbas was a good one. And our message to him was, we would hope he would stay in office and work to move the process forward. Again, I remind people, the elections -- democracy is -- can open up the
world's eyes to reality by listening to people. And the elections -- the election process is healthy for society, in my judgment. In other words, it's -- one way to figure out how to address the needs of the people is to let them express themselves at the ballot box. And that's exactly what happened yesterday. And you'll hear a lot of people saying, well, aren't we surprised at the outcome, or this, that, or the other. If there is corruption, I'm not surprised that people say, let's get rid of corruption. If government hadn't been responsive, I'm not the least bit surprised that people said, I want government to be responsive. And so that was an interesting day yesterday in the -- as we're watching liberty begin to spread across the Middle East.

Let's see here. Yes, David.

Q Mr. President, good morning. I have a different question, but I'd like to pin you down on this point about Hamas because I don't think you've  completely answered it. Are you ruling out dealing with a Palestinian government comprised, in part, of Hamas?

THE PRESIDENT: Dave, they don't have a government yet, so you're asking me to speculate on what the government will look like. I have made it very clear, however, that a political party that articulates the destruction of Israel as part of its platform is a party with which we will not deal.
 

M. EAST & ARAB WORLD NEWS 2006

Osama Bin Laden in New Audio-Recording Threatens New Attacks in the U.S.

Following are excerpts from Al-Qaeda leader Osama bin Laden's latest audio recording, which was aired by Al-Jazeera TV on January 19, 2006.

Osama bin Laden: "My message to you refers to the war in Iraq and in Afghanistan, and how to bring about its end. I did not intend to talk with you about this subject because for us, the matter has been decided. Only iron can defeat iron. Our situation, Allah be praised, is getting better and better, while it is the opposite with your situation. But what has led me to speak is the repeated words of deception by your president Bush, in his interpretation of the results of public opinion polls among you, which showed that the overwhelming majority of your public wants to withdraw the forces from Iraq – but (Bush) opposed this and said that withdrawing the forces would convey the wrong message to the adversaries, and that it is preferable for us to fight them on their soil, rather than for them to fight us on our soil...My answer to these words of deception is: The war in Iraq is raging without cessation, and the (military) operations in Afghanistan are constantly escalating - to our advantage, Allah be praised. The Pentagon figures indicate a rise in the number of your dead and wounded, in addition to the huge material damage. I say that the poll results please the wise (among you), and that Bush's rejection of these results is a mistake, and that reality shows that the war against America and its allies has not remained limited to Iraq, as he claims, but rather, that Iraq has become a source of attraction and recruitment of qualified people...On the other hand, Allah be praised, the mujahidun have managed repeatedly to break through all security measures taken by the oppressing coalition countries. Proof of this is the bombings you have witnessed in the capitals of the most important European countries that are members of this hostile coalition. As for the delay in similar operations in America – this has not been due to any inability to break through your security measures. The operations are being prepared, and you will witness them, in your own land, as soon as the preparations are complete, Allah willing...Based on what I've said, it can clearly be seen that Bush's words are false, but what he refrained from saying – and this is the essence of the poll results, which favor troop withdrawal - is that it is better that we do not fight the Muslims on their soil, and they will not fight us on our soil. We have no objection to responding to you, regarding a long-term cease fire under fair conditions, which we will uphold. We are a nation forbidden by Allah to betray and lie. Under such a cease fire, both sides will enjoy security and stability, and we will build Iraq and Afghanistan, which have been destroyed by the war. There is nothing wrong with this solution, except that it will prevent the flow of hundreds of billions to people of influence and to the merchants of war in America, who supported Bush's elections campaign with billions of dollars...In conclusion, I say to you that the war will be won either by us or by you. If it's the former, loss and disgrace will be your lot for all eternity, and, Allah be praised, this is the way the wind is blowing. If it is the latter, you should read the history (books). We are a nation that does not remain silent over injustice, and we seek blood vengeance all life long. Not (many) days and nights will pass before we take blood vengeance, like we did on 9/11 – Allah willing...If your minds remain worn out and your lives remain miserable, things will progress towards that which you hate. As for us – we have nothing to lose. He who swims in the sea does not fear the rain. You have occupied our land and violated our honor. You have shed our blood and plundered our property. You have destroyed our homes and banished us. You have harmed our security, and we will pay you back in kind." Source: Memri
 

Violations of Electoral Campaigns Regulations

Hamas' Al-Aqsa Television Broadcasts from a Mosque. On 9 January 2006, the al-Aqsa Television station of Hamas initiated its experimental broadcast from a broadcasting station established on the third floor of al-Bashir Mosque in Tal al-Za'tar neighborhood in Jabalya.  PCHR observers noticed that the station broadcast the election campaign of the Change and Reform Electoral List affiliated to Hamas, including slogans and other programs used for the election campaign. Elections Law No. 9 of 2005 prohibits the use of mosques, churches, hospitals and buildings of governmental and public institutions in election campaigns. PCHR calls upon Hamas to commit to the regulations of the election campaign, to stop broadcasting its television station from the mosque and not to use mosques in its election campaign.

More Violations of Electoral Campaign Regulations

Palestinian Ministry of Health Employs its Resources for the Electoral Campaign. PCHR observers have obtained a document proving that a number of staff members distributed blankets from the Ministry's warehouse to staff members who are on low salaries in order to ensure that they would vote for a specific electoral list in the upcoming legislative elections.  According to a letter sent by Dr. 'Abdul Rahman al-Barqawi, Director General of the Ministry, to a senior official at the Ministry, 6350 blankets were taken from the Ministry's warehouse and were distributed to employees who are on low salaries.  Dr. al-Barqawi considered that this "irresponsible behavior" would impact the public interest and the fairness of elections. According to article 59-3 of Elections Law No. 9 of 2005, "the Executive Authority and all the bodies affiliated thereto shall maintain an impartial position during all of the phases of the election process and shall not perform any electoral or campaign activity that might be construed as favoring one candidate or electoral list over another." Consequently, PCHR calls upon the Ministry of Health to investigate this case, stop such offences immediately and to be committed to the Executive Authority's impartial position in all of the phases of the election process and not to intervene in favor of any party.

EGYPT, SAUDIS EXPAND MILITARY COOPERATION

EGYPT, SAUDIS EXPAND MILITARY COOPERATION CAIRO.  Egypt and Saudi Arabia have agreed to expand military and security cooperation. Officials said the two countries have agreed to increase joint military activities over the next year. They said this would include delegation visits, military exercises and training. Egypt has long hosted the training of Saudi military and security officers. Cairo and Riyad would also upgrade their intelligence exchange, officials said. They said the exchange would focus on threats from Islamic insurgency groups linked to Al Qaida. In May 2005, an Egyptian military delegation met senior Saudi commanders to discuss current projects and scheduled exercises. The delegation was led by Egyptian Navy commander Lt. Gen. Tamir Ismail, who  toured the Royal Saudi Navy's western fleet,based in Jedda.
 

Fateh and Hamas Agreed upon not to Carry Weapons on Elections Day

GAZA,  (WAFA-PLO news agency)- Fateh and Hamas reached on Wednesday an agreement not to carry weapons during the elections day. During a joint press conference held in Gaza city, leaders of the two movements revealed that the agreement was reached in a positive and encouraging atmosphere, expressing the intention to made of January 25 a celebration of democracy. According to the press conference, the agreement was made to ensure calm and  security during the election process.
 

PM Hopes to Resume Talks with Israelis without Prior Conditions

RAMALLAH,  (WAFA - PLO news agency)- Prime Minister, Ahmed Qurei, hoped to resume peace talks with the Israelis without any prior conditions and directly after the legislative elections. During his meeting Wednesday with, Pierre Sane, Assistant Director-General of UNESCO for Social and Human Sciences, Qurei said that Jerusalem is a part of the 1967 occupied territories and the elections must be run in it freely  and without any obstacles. Qurei briefed his guest on the latest developments in the Occupied Palestinian Territories (OPT) and the Palestinian preparations to run the elections on time. He also tackled the Israeli aggression against the Palestinian people, and  the attacks on candidates which, "will effect the democratic process". For his part, Sane hoped the elections would run without hinders, affirming UNESCO's continuous support to the Palestinian people.

 

PA wants to collect weapons of factions in specific areas during election campaign period

Interior Minister Meets With Factions' Leaders

GAZA, (IPC+Agencies) -[Official PA website] -Nasser Yousef, the Interior Minister, asserted that the Interior Ministry and the security services are geared up highly to pull out all the stops for running the legislative election on the scheduled time irregardless to the ambient situation. The Interior Minister in met yesterday with the representatives of the factions in his office in Gaza and demonstrated the attendees the current situation in the West Bank and Gaza Strip and the forecast upshots over elections. Yousef stressed on the need to enforce the rule of law on the basis of an understanding between the factions and the Palestinian National Authority  according to which PNA collect the weapons in definite areas and handle with the issue of the personal bodyguards of the Factions' leaders and raised in concern to substitute them with policemen in order to evade the outward show of arms and armed men during the election campaigning activities and ballot day. Ultimately the interior minister agreed with the factions' leaders to form subcommittees to enlist running the election orderly and smoothly on Election Day. In the same regard, the Ministry of Interior, in a statement, said that it almost finalize a security plan top ensure the integrity of the election process. The ministry added once the central election commission (CEC) set the ballot stations throughout the west Bank and Gaza Strip, the deployment of the placemen and security personnel will be organized accordingly in the right places

PA CHAIRMAN ABBAS AND SOUTH AFRICAN PRESIDENT MBEKI TELEPHONE ACTING PM OLMERT

Communicated by the Prime Minister's Media Adviser). Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert spoke this evening with Palestinian Authority (PA) Chairman Mahmud Abbas, who had telephoned in order to express his concern for Prime Minister Ariel Sharon. PA Chairman Mahmud Abbas said that everyone hopes that Prime Minister Sharon will recover quickly and said that since yesterday he has been anxiously monitoring reports from the hospital. Acting Prime Minister Olmert thanked PA Chairman Abbas and said that Prime Minister Sharon had told him that he is very interested in advancing both relations with the Palestinians and the peace process.  The Acting Prime Minister added that he would pass the message on to the Cabinet. Acting Prime Minister Olmert previously spoke with South African President Thabo Mbeki, who had telephoned to inquire about Prime Minister Sharon. South African President Mbeki said that in such times the South African people supported the people of Israel; he also asked that his message be conveyed to the Sharon family. Acting Prime Minister Olmert thanked South African President Mbeki, briefed him on Prime Minister Sharon's medical condition and told him that he had been very pleased with their meeting at the recent UN conference in New York.