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Lantos, Kissinger Link U.S. Aid to PA with Contributions from Arab "Deadbeats"


(AP/Guardian-UK) Barry Schweid - Rep. Tom Lantos, the senior Democrat on the House International Relations Committee, said Thursday he would condition U.S. aid to the Palestinians on oil-rich Arab "deadbeats" making good on their own promised contributions. The assertion drew swift endorsement from former Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, who said, "I think it is reasonable that the surrounding Arab states that have resources should at least match U.S. support.'' Lantos said he would urge Congress to insist that the PA fight terrorism and that Kuwait, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, and other Arab oil states, which he said reaped $40 billion in windfall profits last year, make good on their pledges of $400 million in aid. Lantos also said the new Palestinian leader, Mahmoud Abbas, "will have to show backbone'' by dismantling terror groups. "He will either defeat them, or they will defeat him,'' Lantos said. Kissinger added, "there can be no solution without a tremendous change in attitude, particularly propaganda,'' in Arab countries in the region.
2005-02-10 00:00:00
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