(Ha'aretz) Amira Hass - For several weeks, the assumption has been that, despite widespread opposition among the Palestinian public and the PLO, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas would accept Secretary of State John Kerry's plan for resuming negotiations - without a settlement construction freeze or Israel's acceptance of the 1967 borders. The only public promise Kerry made to the Palestinians had to do with funds to boost the Palestinian economy - a kind of Marshall Plan. As far as is known, the plan is largely based on ambitious development program presented to him by Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, head of the Palestine Investment Fund and a close associate of Abbas. A few more months or years of possible calm, resulting from the talks and international funds, will greatly benefit the Palestinian private sector, which has ties to the Palestinian leadership.
2013-07-26 00:00:00Full ArticleBACK Visit the Daily Alert Archive