(bitterlemons.org) Bruce Riedel - Barak suggested at Camp David that the U.S. and Israel conclude a formal mutual defense treaty. Barak also asked for a $35 billion financial aid package - $10 billion to compensate Palestinian refugees, $10 billion for water desalination plants, and $15 billion for Israel. Of this sum, $3-5 billion would be used to upgrade and modernize the IDF, $2.5 billion to redeploy inside the green line, $1 billion to construct new training facilities, $2 billion to construct new roads and fences, and $3 billion for the expenses of removing Israeli settlers. (The author served for 8 years as a White House advisor on Middle East issues.)
2002-07-16 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive