Last week the United States government injected new political energy and financial resources into the effort to establish a lasting peace between Israel and Palestine.
The United States is committed to assisting the forces of moderation and peace among the Palestinian people and the government led by President Abbas and Prime Minister Salaam Fayyad. President Bush called for an international meeting this Autumn to review the progress toward building Palestinian institutions; to look for ways to support further reform and to provide diplomatic support for the parties in their bilateral negotiations. He also committed to the direct transfer of funds to Palestinians to support reform of the Palestinian security sector.
At a time when many believe that resolving the Palestinian-Israeli dispute is essential for peace in the region, the US Government is infusing new strategic and financial capital into resolving the conflict.
By the end of the year, the US will have provided Palestinians with more than $190 million dollars in assistance in 2007, including funds for humanitarian relief in Gaza. The aid to the Palestinian people includes $144 million in food assistance, education, health and social services and will continue to reach the Palestinians registered with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) in the West Bank and Gaza, Jordan, Lebanon and Syria.
Another $50 million has been earmarked for Palestinian basic human needs, democracy and civil society and private sector development through USAID. These programs include a contribution to the World Food Programme, which has provided essential food commodities to 300,000 Palestinians over the last 10 months and emergency water and sanitation repairs which have affected 10 per cent of the Palestinian population. This is in addition to nearly $130 million in ongoing USAID programs.
To provide further assistance, the US government has authorised the Overseas Private Investment Corporation (OPIC) to join in a programme that will help generate $228 million in loans to Palestinian businesses in an effort to encourage entrepreneurship which will, in turn, generate economic prosperity.
In an effort to encourage recognition of women’s important role in society, the US government has provided regional micro-enterprise and business internships for women. The programme includes a one-month executive MBA programme and a three-month internship at Fortune 500 Business. So far 42 women from 16 countries in the Middle East and African region, including the Palestinian territories, have benefited from these initiatives.
The United States has also allocated $80 million dollars to help reform the legitimate security services of the Palestinian Authority – a vital effort they are undertaking with the guidance of American General Keith Dayton in his role as US security coordinator. General Dayton and his team are in place to help coordinate these efforts in support of the US and international commitment to a peaceful resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and the realisation of the two-state vision.
In his role as representative of the Quartet, Tony Blair will coordinate international efforts to help the Palestinians establish the institutions of a strong and lasting free society – including effective governing structures, a sound financial system and the rule of law.
To reinforce these efforts a meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee of donors, a group chaired by Norway which includes the US and Japan, financial organisations such as the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund and Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Egypt and Jordan, will be meeting in the near future.
The upcoming Autumn meeting will include representatives from all the nations that support a two-state solution, reject violence and recognise Israel’s right to exist. The key participants in this meeting will be the Israelis, the Palestinians, and their neighbors in the region. US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will chair this meeting. Rice and her counterparts will review the progress that has been made toward building Palestinian institutions. They will look for innovative and effective ways to support further reform. And they will provide diplomatic support for the parties in their bilateral discussions and negotiations. The US and its partners are pledged to moving forward on a successful path to a Palestinian state while guaranteeing the security of Israel.
Malta’s efforts in the pursuit of peace in the region are noteworthy. Malta is an important partner in international efforts to resolve the crisis in the Palestinian territories and in promoting a more enhanced and structured dialogue between the European Union and the Arab League to guarantee security and prosperity in the entire region. The Mediterranean Academy of Diplomatic Studies (MEDAC) also plays a part in preparing future diplomats and international relations experts who will continue to collaborate in efforts to resolve global issues and crises.
During Foreign Minister Michael Frendo’s visit to the US in March, Condoleezza Rice publicly complimented MEDAC’s important role in educating future leaders. Recently, former President Guido de Marco received the prestigious Robert Schuman award for his contribution to the process of Euro-Mediterranean dialogue and European integration. Prof. de Marco is an advocate for peace among the Palestinian and Israeli people and the US has welcomed and will continue to welcome Malta’s valuable contribution, within the European Union, towards this goal.

Molly Bordonaro is the USA’s Ambassador to Malta.