World Tribune.com

Barak allowed Saddam's money to reach Palestinians

By Steve Rodan, Middle East Newsline
SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Friday, December 15, 2000

JERUSALEM — Israel has allowed President Saddam Hussein to send millions of dollars in Iraqi aid to the Palestinian Authority.

Israeli and PA officials said the government of Prime Minister Ehud Barak has agreed to allow Iraq to relay both money and supplies to the Palestinians. They said the aid is transferred from Jordan and is distributed by Saddam supporters in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

PA officials said Israel at first resisted Iraqi efforts to help the Palestinians during their mini-war, which began on Sept. 28. But after several weeks, Barak's government relented.

"After Israel placed obstacles, it has agreed lately that the Iraqi aid come from Jordan," PA Public Works Minister Azzam Ahmed said. "There is currently help coming in a direct way from Iraq and it has entered the Palestinian areas."

Palestinian sources said the aid is being distributed by the Arab Liberation Front, a Baghdad-based group that has offices in cities in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. They said the group has granted $10,000 each to the families of more than 30 victims of the Palestinian revolt.

The sources said the Iraqi money is also being used to buy weapons for the Arab Liberation Front. They said the weapons are being bought from Fatah gunmen in the Bethlehem area.

Israeli officials acknowledged that Barak approved the Iraqi aid effort. They said approval was meant to ease the economic plight of the Palestinians amid their mini-war with Israel.

"What can we do?" a senior Israeli source close to Barak asked. "We have let all humanitarian aid and Iraqi money come in without question."

The source said Israel is aware that Saddam's effort is meant to increase his influence in the West Bank and Gaza Strip. The source said Israel might eventually limit the Iraqi flow of funds.

"We will examine this issue on a substantive basis," the source said.

PA officials said the United States has opposed the Iraqi effort. Saddam has requested from the United Nations that $890 million in oil revenue be diverted to the PA.

But last week U.S. Assistant Secretary of State Richard Murphy said the Iraqi request "may not be a bad idea." Murphy completed a tour of North Africa in which the UN sanctions on Iraq was a major issue on the agenda.

In New York, a UN spokesman said the Iraqi request would require Security Council approval.

Friday, December 15, 2000


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