S'13
05-06-2004, 02:44 PM
US dumps water projects in Gaza over convoy bomb
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
The United States has stopped two water development projects in the Gaza Strip because of the Palestinian Authority's failure to find those behind a deadly attack on a U.S. diplomatic convoy seven months ago, an official said Thursday.
U.S. officials have expressed displeasure over the failure of Palestinian police to arrest those responsible for setting off a remote-control bomb next to a U.S. Embassy convoy in northern Gaza last year, killing three American guards, in the first fatal attack on U.S. officials there.
The projects, worth tens of millions of dollars, have not been officially canceled, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. However, bids will not be taken, effectively freezing them at an early stage.
The projects are a water desalination plant and a carrier network from north to south Gaza.
The overcrowded, poverty-stricken seaside territory has been over-pumping its aquifer, and they are becoming increasingly salinated. Studies show that salts and nitrates in Gaza drinking water are already far above accepted standards.
But the projects are endangered by dispute over the October bombing.
On Oct. 15, a huge bomb exploded next to a convoy of U.S. Embassy vehicles north of Gaza City, wrecking an armored van and killing three American security guards. Police found a remote-control wire leading from the scene to a nearby structure.
Militant groups, including the Islamic Hamas, denied involvement in the bombing. There was even some speculation that Palestinian Authority police were dragging their feet on the case because the perpetrators might be connected in some way to them. The Palestinian Authority hotly denied any involvement.
The United States offered a US$5 million reward for information leading to arrest of the perpetrators _ more evidence of American exasperation with the Palestinians.
At one point, the Palestinians arrested four suspects, but they were not charged directly with the bombing, and eventually Palestinian officials ordered them freed.
In February, U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer ridiculed the arrests and charges. They "seem to implicate these individuals for involuntary manslaughter, rather than what we would call first-degree murder," he said.
In December, U.S. envoy William Burns said, "Without progress, culminating in the arrest and conviction of those responsible, we simply cannot carry out our full range of assistance projects for the Palestinian people."
The U.S. official said Thursday that the water projects were halted because of overall security concerns, and the lack of progress in arresting the October bombers "is part of that."
Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said he appealed to U.S. officials to restore the projects "because they affect the lives of 1 million Palestinians in vital water supplies."
Erekat said U.S. officials said the projects were not canceled; rather, suspended. Erekat objected to linking them to the October bombing.
"I urged the administration to reconsider its position," he said.
The United States funnels about US$100 million a year into the West Bank and Gaza but bypasses the Palestinian Authority, headed by Yasser Arafat. Instead, the Americans directly fund infrastructure construction and non-governmental organizations working on democracy and social projects.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1083813013300
By ASSOCIATED PRESS
The United States has stopped two water development projects in the Gaza Strip because of the Palestinian Authority's failure to find those behind a deadly attack on a U.S. diplomatic convoy seven months ago, an official said Thursday.
U.S. officials have expressed displeasure over the failure of Palestinian police to arrest those responsible for setting off a remote-control bomb next to a U.S. Embassy convoy in northern Gaza last year, killing three American guards, in the first fatal attack on U.S. officials there.
The projects, worth tens of millions of dollars, have not been officially canceled, the official said, speaking on condition of anonymity. However, bids will not be taken, effectively freezing them at an early stage.
The projects are a water desalination plant and a carrier network from north to south Gaza.
The overcrowded, poverty-stricken seaside territory has been over-pumping its aquifer, and they are becoming increasingly salinated. Studies show that salts and nitrates in Gaza drinking water are already far above accepted standards.
But the projects are endangered by dispute over the October bombing.
On Oct. 15, a huge bomb exploded next to a convoy of U.S. Embassy vehicles north of Gaza City, wrecking an armored van and killing three American security guards. Police found a remote-control wire leading from the scene to a nearby structure.
Militant groups, including the Islamic Hamas, denied involvement in the bombing. There was even some speculation that Palestinian Authority police were dragging their feet on the case because the perpetrators might be connected in some way to them. The Palestinian Authority hotly denied any involvement.
The United States offered a US$5 million reward for information leading to arrest of the perpetrators _ more evidence of American exasperation with the Palestinians.
At one point, the Palestinians arrested four suspects, but they were not charged directly with the bombing, and eventually Palestinian officials ordered them freed.
In February, U.S. Ambassador Daniel Kurtzer ridiculed the arrests and charges. They "seem to implicate these individuals for involuntary manslaughter, rather than what we would call first-degree murder," he said.
In December, U.S. envoy William Burns said, "Without progress, culminating in the arrest and conviction of those responsible, we simply cannot carry out our full range of assistance projects for the Palestinian people."
The U.S. official said Thursday that the water projects were halted because of overall security concerns, and the lack of progress in arresting the October bombers "is part of that."
Palestinian Cabinet minister Saeb Erekat said he appealed to U.S. officials to restore the projects "because they affect the lives of 1 million Palestinians in vital water supplies."
Erekat said U.S. officials said the projects were not canceled; rather, suspended. Erekat objected to linking them to the October bombing.
"I urged the administration to reconsider its position," he said.
The United States funnels about US$100 million a year into the West Bank and Gaza but bypasses the Palestinian Authority, headed by Yasser Arafat. Instead, the Americans directly fund infrastructure construction and non-governmental organizations working on democracy and social projects.
http://www.jpost.com/servlet/Satellite?pagename=JPost/JPArticle/ShowFull&cid=1083813013300