Palestinian officials on Wednesday welcomed a U.S. decision to deduct $289.5 million from loan guarantees to Israel, but said the penalty was not tough enough to force Israel to stop building a barrier or to end continued settlement activity.
The deduction, taken from $9 billion in guarantees promised over three years, reflected the amount Israel is spending on parts of the barrier that cut into the West Bank, as well as other Israeli construction there, The AP reported.
"We want steps from the Americans that will definitely stop the settlements and the wall to give peace a chance," Palestinian Cabinet Minister Saeb Erekat said. "I'm afraid that this step, as a message, will not deter Israel."
Meanwhile, Palestinian Prime Minister Ahmed Qurei will hold his first meeting with a senior American official this weekend when top US envoy William Burns visits Qurei's West Bank headquarters.
The visit by the assistant secretary of state for near eastern affairs is part of a US attempt to revive the international "roadmap" for peace which has stalled in recent months. "Abu Alaa (Qurei) will meet with Mr. Burns but no date has been set yet," a source within Qurei's office told AFP on Wednesday.
Diplomatic sources have said that Burns is planned to arrive on Saturday for a 48-hour trip before meeting up with Secretary of State Colin Powell, who is to visit Tunisia, Morocco and Algeria next Tuesday and Wednesday. (Albawaba.com)
© 2003 Al Bawaba (www.albawaba.com)
