The Washington Post reports Aid Request Emphasizes U.S. Support of Palestinian Authority Leadership. At least it doesn’t say that it shows U.S. support of peace.
Since Hamas seized Gaza, the Bush administration has sought to demonstrate support for Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and new Prime Minister Salam Fayyad. The Annapolis conference is designed to show that the Fayyad government is on track to create a Palestinian state, with the backing of Arab leaders, and State Department officials said the money sought by Bush is designed to signal that substantial aid will flow to leaders who reject terrorism.
Isn’t this throwing good money after bad? Some of the particulars are
An additional $40 million would be devoted to improving the administration of Palestinian ministries, $10 million would be used to provide security for experts overseeing the project assistance, $25 million is aimed at narcotics enforcement, and $25 million would be devoted to training Palestinian forces loyal to Abbas. Also, $20 million would be used to make “immediate improvements” in delivering health care at government clinics. The remaining $35 million would help refugees.
“Security for experts”? Why would that be? Because in the past those Americans who have helped the Palestinians have been subject to attack? So why insist on giving a position of authority to the guy behind past attacks?
Elder of Ziyon comments on this article and also a study that shows a correlation between American aid and terrorism.
It’s also worth noting the conclusion of yesterday’s column by Robert Samuelson The Global Poverty Trap.
By and large, nations have either lifted themselves or have stayed down. Societies dominated by tribal, religious, ideological or political values that disparage the qualities needed for broad-based growth will not get growth. Economic success requires a tolerance for change and inequality, some minimum level of trust — an essential for much commerce — and risk-taking. There are many plausible combinations of government and market power; but without the proper cultural catalysts, all face long odds.
You can throw money at improving the administration of Palestinian ministries, but if they are fundamentally corrupt, that money will be wasted.
Crossposted at Soccer Dad.
