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TML VIDEO REPORT:
U.S.-ISRAELI COOPERATION ON COMBATING TERROR, USE OF NONCONVENTIONAL
WEAPONS
HAS THE ROAD
MAP RUN INTO A DEAD END?
THE UNITED STATES
VERSUS HIZBULLAH'S AL-MANAR RADIO
The Media Line Sunday News
Roundup 9 April 2006
1. UNITED STATES SLASHES AID TO PALESTINIAN
AUTHORITY... Citing its failure to renounce violence and recognize Israel, the
United States has slashed $300 million from its aid package to the Palestinian
Authority. The specific sums not being sent represents funding earmarked for the
P.A. cabinet and ministries. The European Union also announced that it was
freezing aid payments to the Palestinian Authority. All direct aid and money
used to pay salaries of P.A. employees has been halted, but humanitarian aid
delivered through international organizations will continue. P.A. Prime Minister
Isma'il Hanniya criticized the EU for “punishing the Palestinian people for
practicing their choice.”
2. ISRAELI SHELLING OF GAZA CONTINUES INTO
SUNDAY... Israel’s shelling of targets in the Gaza Strip aimed at stemming the
barrages of rockets launched from there are continuing. Palestinian sources
report that a security position was hit by Israeli artillery early Sunday
killing one policeman and injuring six other people. Through Saturday, fourteen
Palestinians had died in Israeli air strikes. While Israel insists that most of
the casualties were armed fighters, one of the deaths was that of a young boy.
Six died late Saturday night when Israeli aircraft fired missiles into a
training camp belonging to the Abu Rish Brigades, an armed group associated with
Fatah.
3. OLMERT WILL NOT NEGOTIATE WITH ‘ABBAS... Israel’s acting Prime
Minister Ehud Olmert said in an interview published on Saturday in the
Washington Post that he will not negotiate with Palestinian Authority
Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas. Using ‘Abbas’ nom de guerre, Olmert was quoted as
saying that, “Abu Mazen has deprived himself of all the practical authorities of
government.” Olmert said peace talks would have to be with the Hamas-led
Authority. He reiterated his inclination toward taking unilateral action, adding
that, "If we reach the conclusion that the Palestinians are not prepared to meet
the requirements that lead to negotiations, we will then move forward without a
negotiating process...We are not prepared to wait forever.”
4. ‘ABBAS:
HAMAS WILL COME AROUND...ISRAELI UNILATERALISM WILL BRING MORE BLOODSHED... P.A.
Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas told Britain’s Guardian newspaper that Hamas will
come around to a more realistic position under world pressure. He told the
newspaper that there is already confusion in Hamas policy. ‘Abbas said Hamas is
learning that it “cannot rule without foreign help. They are only in office a
week, so let us wait. It needs time.” He also warned that Israel’s policy of
unilateral action will lead to bloodshed. ‘Abbas said that while the Israelis
feel they can impose a solution, that will only delay the struggle and not solve
the problem. Eventually, the next generation will “return back to the
struggle.”
5. HANNIYA ACCUSES U.S., EU OF BLACKMAIL... Palestinian Prime
Minister Isma'il Hanniya told reporters in Gaza City on Saturday that his
government’s policies will not change despite what he called “blackmail” by the
United States and the European Union. Both announced an end to direct aid to the
Palestinian Authority until Hamas recognizes Israel, renounces violence and
accepts agreements signed by previous governments. He said the aim of what he
called “this siege and blockade” is to “blackmail the government.” But Hanniya
said that, “They are not going to blackmail us or make us give in on the rights
and principles of the Palestinian people.”
6. ‘ABBAS-HANIYYA POWER
STRUGGLE TURNS TO SECURITY FORCES... P.A. Chairman Mahmoud ‘Abbas appointed a
longtime confidant to head up three security agencies that now fall under the
Hamas-controlled interior ministry. The move was the latest attempt by ‘Abbas to
wrestle control from the cabinet and legislature, both of which are now
controlled by Hamas members elected in January’s election. Only hours before
‘Abbas announced the appointment of Rashid Abu Shbak to head the security
forces, Isma'il Hanniya, the P.A.’s prime minister, told the Associated Press
that, “There are attempts to create parallel frameworks to some ministries in
the Palestinian government, but I don't think ('Abbas) can keep up this pressure
and take away power from this government.” Hanniya also denied reports that
Al-Qa’ida representatives are present in the Palestinian territories.
7.
POLL SHOWS OLMERT PREPARING TO MAKE UNPOPULAR APPOINTMENTS...IF ASSUMPTIONS ARE
CORRECT... Any time Israel elects a new government, political talk-of-the-town
becomes preoccupied with betting on who will receive which ministerial
portfolio. The pattern is holding true this time around, particularly because of
the political realities of building a coalition government and because Ehud
Olmert has promised certain ministries to more than one person. If rumored
appointments are true, a new survey by Globes financial newspaper would
indicate Olmert will be making some unpopular appointments. While most believe
Labor leader 'Amir Peretz will take over the Ministry of Defense, the
Globes poll indicates that only 8 percent of the population think that’s
a good idea. While incumbent Defense Minister Shaul Mofaz led the pack with 37%,
both Ami Ayalon of Labor and Avi Dichter of Qadima scored well ahead of Peretz.
Similarly, concerning the Finance Ministry ? the post many believe is the single
most important position behind the prime minister himself ? Ben Gurion
University's Avishay Braverman is favored by 35% of the people, Meir Sheetrit
came in second at 22%, 'Amir Peretz at 20% and Olmert’s presumptive choice,
long-time ally Avraham Hirschson trailed badly at only 6%. Regarding economic
policies, 62% of the population wants the new government to forego tax cuts in
favor of increasing spending on health, education and welfare.
8.
JORDANIAN PRESS ASSOCIATION WILL PUNISH JOURNALISTS WHO VISIT ISRAEL... The
Jordanian Press Association said on Saturday that it will punish any journalist
who visits Israel. The group had previously decided to ban normalization of
relations with Israel. Responding to reports that a group of Jordanian
journalists was going to participate in a seminar at Israel’s Haifa University,
the organization released a statement saying that, “The JPA council will inflict
deterrent punishment on journalists who violate its decision that bans any form
of normalization [with Israel].” Both the JPA and the Arab Press Association
have enacted rules that "prohibit all forms of normalization with the Zionist
entity.”
9. TURKEY WATER DEAL WITH ISRAEL CANCELLED... Turkey and Israel
have cancelled a deal struck in 2004 through which Israel was to buy 50 million
cubic meters of water each year for 20 years from Turkey. According to a
statement released by the Turkish Foreign Ministry, both sides agreed to scrap
the agreement because “rising oil prices have increased the cost of transporting
water in specially built tankers.” The other reason given was the Turkish
government's decision to privatize the water-treatment facilities on the
Manavgat River, from where the water was to be shipped to Israel.
10.
PERES TELLS ISRAEL TO PREPARE FOR ANOTHER PAPAL VISIT... Israeli elder statesman
Shimon Peres says Pope Benedict XVI might visit Israel early next year. Peres
visited the Pontiff in the Vatican and brought with him an invitation from
acting premier Ehud Olmert. Following his audience, Peres told reporters that
Benedict might come to the Jewish state in the early part of 2007. The late Pope
John Paul II paid a formal visit to Israel in March 2000, and was warmly
received by Israelis.
To see more intriguing news and information go to
http://www.themedialine.org
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