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| Middle East |
| Talks on public aid delayed by Israel |
| 2002-07-14 |
| Israeli officials postponed high-level talks with the Palestinians yesterday, saying they needed more time to consult before discussing ways to improve the humanitarian situation in Palestinian areas. Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat said the meeting last night was to have covered political, economic and security issues - a broader agenda than in two rounds of talks last week, the first high-level meetings in months. But an Israeli official said the meeting was only for discussion of improving humanitarian assistance to the Palestinians and finding a way to ensure that aid not be funneled toward attacks on Israelis. Sometimes I think Saeb just says anything that pops into his head, but then I remind myself that he speaks fluent Propaganda. It's a heavy enough concern to work out some way for the grocery money not to go into the explosives industry, especially since groceries run out for the Paleostinians at a faster rate than the cordite. One thing at a time would seem reasonable, but then, I believe in cause and effect, too, so I might be wrong... The official said the meeting would be rescheduled after Sharon meets with Israeli Foreign Minister Shimon Peres and other key ministers, probably early this week. Israel's Channel One television said the talks were scrapped because Sharon and the more moderate Peres disagreed on the terms. "Yeah. We'll get back to you on that, Saeb..." |
| Posted by:Fred Pruitt |