http://www.jpost.com/DiplomacyAndPolitics/Article.aspx?id=244718
US releases hold on $200 million in PA security funds By REBECCA ANNA STOIL 11/07/2011 20:52 House Foreign Affairs C'tee chair Ros-Lehtinen releases block on aid after Obama administration convinces her that security funds to PA support US, Israeli interests; additional $200m. in economic aid still withheld. A key US lawmaker cleared the way Monday for the Palestinian Authority to receive almost $200 million in aid, after the Obama administration convinced her that releasing security funds to the PA was in Israel’s and the United States’ interest. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, said that she would release her block on two separate sections of security aid – one for $50 million , and the second for $150 million. RELATED: Romney calls on US to cut foreign aid to Palestinians US scrambles to keep Palestinian Authority aid flowing An additional $200 million in economic assistance is still being withheld by both the State and Foreign Relations Appropriations Subcommittee and the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Both the security and economic funds were frozen by Congress in August, in response to the PA’s strategy of seeking unilateral recognition of statehood during the UN General Assembly in September. A second key house leader, State and Foreign Relations Appropriations Subcommittee Rep. Kay Granger (R-Texas), had used her committee to freeze only the economic aid, believing PA security forces aided in countering the influence of Hamas. Ros-Lehtinen’s move has removed the last roadblock to the security aid package. Funding packages can be blocked by either chairwoman, and need the support of both representatives in order to be released. In recent weeks, Ros-Lehtinen received extensive documentation from the administration explaining why releasing the security funds supported both America’s and Israel’s interests. The total package to the PA varies but is estimated at below $500 million Despite the freeze, the PA continued attempts at gaining recognition, recently securing such a vote in UNESCO. In response to that vote, the US cut funds to the UN organization, in accordance with a 1994 law that forbids the US from funding any UN organization that supports a unilateral Palestinian declaration of statehood. [Non-text portions of this message have been removed]
