(Japan Times) Editorial - Completion of the Gaza withdrawal shifts the spotlight onto the Palestinian Authority, which must now show that it can govern Gaza. That means providing both jobs and security to Palestinian residents and ensuring that the newly regained territory is not used as a staging ground for attacks on Israel. The government's failure to prevent terrorists from using Gaza as a haven will undermine any hopes for progress toward peace. Japan has provided some $767 million in aid to the Palestinians since 1993, making Japan the third-largest donor after the U.S. and EU. Japan has pledged an additional $100 million and should ensure that its money is well spent. There will be no hope for Gazans if their government cannot impose law and order on the territory. Absent peace, no one will risk investing in Gaza; without investment there will be no economy.
2005-09-02 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive