Bush to OK First Direct Assistance to Palestinians

[Nambe]

WASHINGTON (Reuters)

In a break from long-standing U.S. policy, the Bush administration plans to provide its first direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority in the coming days to help shore up its new prime minister, Mahmoud Abbas, and the shaky peace process.

Administration and congressional sources said the first installment of $20 million would be announced as early as Tuesday and be used to improve basic services in Palestinian areas being vacated by Israeli forces under a U.S.-backed peace plan known as the road map.

President Bush would provide the initial funding for road, sewage and water projects without U.S. congressional approval by using a rarely used waiver authority for "unanticipated contingencies," according to congressional aides briefed by the administration on Tuesday.

In so doing, Bush would sidestep an existing congressional prohibition on direct assistance to the Palestinian Authority. ---

Privatize bush It’s a Good Thing

[barbaraann]

1. To improve basic services.....

Bechtel, Carlyle...?

Oh, heck, does anyone have a scorecard of the BFEE corporations that are sucking the blood out of our governments? I can't keep track.