happythoughts 0 #1 October 4, 2004 clicky QuoteRAMALLAH, West Bank -- Thousands of tons of cement sold to Palestinian businessmen at below-market prices by Egypt to help rebuild communities devastated by years of war with Israel have been resold at huge profits to the Israelis, for use in building Israel's controversial separation barrier and settlements in the occupied territories, according to an investigation by Palestinian legislators. Palestinian Authority officials have assisted in the scheme, allowing the businessmen to make millions of dollars and depriving the Palestinian government of tax revenues, according to the probe. The businessmen, using permits given to them by a high-ranking member of Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat's Cabinet, sold the cement to Israeli contractors at a 50 percent profit. In addition to aiding the Israeli projects and producing up to $5.5 million in profits for the middlemen, the cement arrangement cost the Palestinian public treasury as much as $1.6 million in uncollected taxes, according to the investigators. They say it is unclear whether the practice is continuing. Public and international anger at corruption in the Palestinian Authority has been on a sharp rise in recent weeks; the cement sales represent the largest and most specific example of abuse to emerge so far. Arafat, who publicly condemns the West Bank barrier as an "apartheid wall" and settlements as "criminal Zionist aggression," was alerted to the involvement of senior Palestinian officials and businessmen months ago, within weeks after it began, investigators said in interviews. The Palestinian Authority controller, who reports directly to Arafat, confirmed in a separate interview that he notified Arafat in writing what was happening, and that it was made possible by permits issued by Minister of Economy Maher al Masri. So, Palestinians bought much-needed concrete from Egypt at below-market prices. Instead of helping their own people, they sold it at a 50% markup to the Israelis. The deal was ok'ed by high-ranking Palestinian officials. The Israelis used it to build a wall that the Palestinians are on record as despising. All righty then... Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
Botellines 0 #2 October 4, 2004 The other option is to build houses in Palestina so the Israely army has something to demolish for the next 15 days. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
JohnRich 4 #3 October 4, 2004 QuoteSo, Palestinians bought much-needed concrete from Egypt at below-market prices. Instead of helping their own people, they sold it at a 50% markup to the Israelis. The deal was ok'ed by high-ranking Palestinian officials. Yeah, but just think of all the great suicide bombs they can make with that profit! The Palestinians are their own worse enemy. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
falxori 0 #4 October 4, 2004 nothing new... where do you think a big portion of the donated funds go to? Arafat himself is believed to have 1-3 billion dollars stashed away, that billion, with a B... his wife spends about 100,000 $$ each month living in paris, and many in the "old" leadership took care of themselves in the same way. too bad the donated money doesnt reach the poeple who it was meant for... QuoteAll told, U.S. officials estimate Arafat's personal nest egg at between $1 billion and $3 billion. Arafat's Billions "Carpe diem, quam minimum credula postero." Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites
