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Rice, Weisglass met in Washington Monday

Israel: Don't send them ammunition

Government concerned that American ammunition given to PA will end up in terrorist hands, finding alternative closing of proposed customs check at Philadelphi Route

TEL AVIV - Israel refuses to approve the transfer of ammunition from Egypt to the Palestinians, and has clarified its stance to the U.S. Administration.

 

Government officials joked with Ynet Tuesday and said Advisor to the Prime Minister Dov Weisglass's meeting with Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice in Washington Monday was aimed at "telling them without them feeling it."

 

Sources in Jerusalem said in regards to the issue that "weaponry was never discussed, only ammunition."

 

"However, at this stage there is no intention to allow it; there is no reason and we don't believe that we have to give one," one source said.

 

The sources said that Israel has made it clear to the Americans that any weaponry and ammunition given to the Palestinian Authority would end up in terror organizations.

 

"They just added to the already-existing large ammo dump," one source said. "Instead of supplying them with more, let them worry about collecting them from Hamas and other organizations who have smuggled them in." 

 

Future of Israeli customs in Gaza

 

Meanwhile, Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, National Security Council and Finance Ministry officials are set to meet Wednesday to discuss preparations for the upcoming pullout from the Gaza Strip and parts of the West Bank.

 

The National Security Council will present participants with a review of the future of Israeli customs inspection following the Philadelphi Route evacuation.

 

After the IDF withdrawal from the Route, the government is expected to conduct examinations at points north of Gaza Strip.

 

Despite the fact that the arrangement is supposed to give the Palestinians their economic independence, a number of problems persist.

 

Until now, the government has passed value-added tax and customs charges collected at checkpoints on to the Palestinians. The PA does not have the proper framework to collect the same amount on its own.

 

“It’s in the interest of the Palestinians that the customs borders remain despite the fact that we are leaving Gaza and Philadelphi," a government source said, "But it would make Gaza an economic body of Israel, and that’s something we cannot let happen.”

 

Another problem is that Israel would be exposed to all sorts of merchandise coming from all over without proper inspection.

 

To remedy this, the NSC recommends the goods pass by way of Nitzana or Kerem Shalom along the Israei-Egyptian border, and there, they will undergo Israeli customs inspection.

 


פרסום ראשון: 08.02.05, 23:52
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