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CFR spanks Palestinian Authority
Special to World Tribune.com
MIDDLE EAST NEWSLINE
Thursday, July 1, 1999
NEW YORK [MENL] -- The Palestinian Authority must quickly improve its
administration and human rights record or risk losing the support of its
people, a group of international experts say.
A task force sponsored by the New York-based Council on Foreign
Relations urged PA Chairman Yasser Arafat to make serious efforts to
build a democratic political system and pluralist civil society, as well
as developing a free market economy and sustainable growth. The report
was presented to Arafat on Monday in Ramallah.
The independent task force was chaired by Michel Rocard, former
prime minister of France, and includes five former heads of state and
other world leaders.
The report says the PA has achieved "levels of service delivery,
revenue mobilization, financial accountability, and utilization of
international assistance that are at least commensurate with, and in
some aspects exceed, those in countries of comparable development and
income."
But the report adds that "much remains to be done." The council
calls on the PA to adopt a constitution; establish accountability for
the executive branch to the legislature; centralize all public revenues
and expenditures in the Finance Ministry, and ensure the independence of
the judiciary.
The council cited a loss of support in the PA. The report pointed to
opinion polls among Palestinians that show "dissatisfaction with the
level of public services, a perception of waste and corruption in the
public administration and police, and a loss of faith in the
institutions of governance, particularly the Palestinian Legislative
Council and the judiciary."
"Confidence in the PA's institutions affects its contest for
legitimacy with radical elements that reject the Oslo accords and claim
to do a better job than the PA at delivering certain services to the
Palestinian people," the council said. "This confidence bears on the
PA's ability to negotiate and compromise with Israel and affects
Israel's confidence in the PA's ability to implement agreements. Good
governance is therefore a necessary condition for the success of the
peace process."
PA officials expressed satisfaction with the report. "This is a
positive report," PA International Cooperation and Planning Minister
Nabil Shaath said on Wednesday. "The report confirms PA achievements and
says that in five years we've done more than other countries of
comparable size and income."
Thursday, July 1, 1999
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