Japan: To Help A Palestinian Ask Them, Not Israel...
Palestinian's Do Not Believe in Slavery
Israeli government offers economic plan to the Palestinians16 August 2007
by Ghassan Bannoura
An economic plan that claims to improve living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza was announced by Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Wednesday.
The announcement followed a meeting between Livni, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdelelah Al Khatib, and the Palestine Liberation Organization's chief of negotiations, Sa'eb Erekat. The four-way meeting took place in the West Bank city of Jericho.
The plan includes proposals for improving electricity and water supplies, city planning, rehabilitation of sewage systems in the West Bank and Gaza, and the establishment of the Peace-Valley project in Jericho.
The Peace-Valley project, proposed by the Japanese government, aims to connect the Dead Sea with the Red Sea and to create industrial and farming zones in the Jordan-Valley that are designed to help solve the water conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. Furthermore it could create more jobs for the Palestinians.
Dr. Sa'eb Erekat has said that the project will help to protect Palestinian land from being taken by Israeli settlements.
Israeli government sources told the Israeli press that the plan aims to "present the Palestinians with economic and diplomatic signposts to show what can be accomplished." Israel is seeking international support for this plan. The Israeli foreign minister has already presented the plan to the Quartet's Middle East envoy, Tony Blair.
The next stage of planning will start in October of this year. Delegations of experts from each side will meet in Jericho for further talks and to set a timetable. In addition a delegation of geologists and environmentalists are expected to meet in coming weeks to decide on the location of the project.
On Thursday, Mustafa Al Barghouthi, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative Palestinian political group, and MP, gave the first official response to Wednesday's meeting. He said that the four way meeting should not focus on economical issues but also on the political process.
Al Barghouthi stated that the Israeli Palestinian conflict is a political rather than an economic issue. He added that if Israel continues to attack and siege Palestinians no peace project will be successful.
by Ghassan Bannoura
An economic plan that claims to improve living conditions in the West Bank and Gaza was announced by Israeli Foreign Minister Tzipi Livni on Wednesday.
The announcement followed a meeting between Livni, Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso, Jordanian Foreign Minister Abdelelah Al Khatib, and the Palestine Liberation Organization's chief of negotiations, Sa'eb Erekat. The four-way meeting took place in the West Bank city of Jericho.
The plan includes proposals for improving electricity and water supplies, city planning, rehabilitation of sewage systems in the West Bank and Gaza, and the establishment of the Peace-Valley project in Jericho.
The Peace-Valley project, proposed by the Japanese government, aims to connect the Dead Sea with the Red Sea and to create industrial and farming zones in the Jordan-Valley that are designed to help solve the water conflict between Palestinians and Israelis. Furthermore it could create more jobs for the Palestinians.
Dr. Sa'eb Erekat has said that the project will help to protect Palestinian land from being taken by Israeli settlements.
Israeli government sources told the Israeli press that the plan aims to "present the Palestinians with economic and diplomatic signposts to show what can be accomplished." Israel is seeking international support for this plan. The Israeli foreign minister has already presented the plan to the Quartet's Middle East envoy, Tony Blair.
The next stage of planning will start in October of this year. Delegations of experts from each side will meet in Jericho for further talks and to set a timetable. In addition a delegation of geologists and environmentalists are expected to meet in coming weeks to decide on the location of the project.
On Thursday, Mustafa Al Barghouthi, the general secretary of the Palestinian National Initiative Palestinian political group, and MP, gave the first official response to Wednesday's meeting. He said that the four way meeting should not focus on economical issues but also on the political process.
Al Barghouthi stated that the Israeli Palestinian conflict is a political rather than an economic issue. He added that if Israel continues to attack and siege Palestinians no peace project will be successful.
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posted by HRM Deborah of Israel and the Messenger of Peace at 2:48 PM
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