Kerry seeking to unblock $700 m for Palestinians
US: Secretary of State John Kerry is working to try to free up almost
$700 million in aid for the Palestinians which has been held up in
Congress, a top US official said Monday.
"The secretary feels extremely strongly that it is time now to get
this support to the Palestinian Authority," State Department spokeswoman
Victoria Nuland said.
The department was working with Congress "to get appropriated money
released for the Palestinian Authority because we think it's very, very
important that they remain effective in supporting the needs of the
Palestinian people."
Some $495.7 million was set aside for the Palestinian Authority in
the fiscal year 2012 which ended on October 1, while another $200
million for this fiscal year was notified to Congress last week.
The money is earmarked for specific things in the Palestinian budget
such as security as well as administrative costs.
However, an additional $100 million has been released, but can only
be used on narcotics and law enforcement.
The Palestinian Authority is facing its worst economic crisis in
years, in part because of a failure by donors to deliver pledged funds.
AFP
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