Arafat's Billions

[drdon326]

http://cbsnewyork.com/rooney/sixtyminutes_story_313203311.html

Yasser Arafat diverted nearly $1 billion in public funds to insure his political survival, but a lot more is unaccounted for.

Jim Prince and a team of American accountants - hired by Arafat's own finance ministry - are combing through Arafat's books. Given what they've already uncovered, Arafat may be rethinking the decision. Lesley Stahl reports."What is Mr. Arafat and the Palestinian Authority worth today?" asks accountant Jim Prince. "Who is controlling that money? Where is that money? How do we get it back?"

So far, Prince's team has determined that part of the Palestinian leader's wealth was in a secret portfolio worth close to $1 billion -- with investments in companies like a Coca-Cola bottling plant in Ramallah, a Tunisian cell phone company and venture capital funds in the U.S. and the Cayman Islands.

Although the money for the portfolio came from public funds like Palestinian taxes, virtually none of it was used for the Palestinian people; it was all controlled by Arafat. And, Prince says, none of these dealings were made public.

"Our whole point is to bring it out of control of any one person," Prince says.

That's what happened with the portfolio money, which is now under the control of Salam Fayyad, a former World Bank official who Arafat was forced to appoint finance minister last year after crowds began protesting his corrupt regime. According to Fayyad, "There is corruption out there. There is abuse. There is impropriety, and that's what had to be fixed."

.............................................................

BWAHAHAHAHA......

[bluesoul]

1. This must be the

10th thread about the same subject. Interesting...

[drdon326]

2. Between $ 1,000,000,000 and $ 3,000,000,000

thats a shitload of money.

[bluesoul]

3. It is!

Corruption and Arafat are not new things. If it were not for Israel and their policy, I would bet Arafat would be without the support of the Palestinians and wouldn't be in the position he is, since I am sure the Palestinians are aware of the corruption among their leaders...

[rini]

4. I never thought of that

It's all the fault of the Israelis. If not for them the weasel would not have any reason to steal the people blind. Get rid of them and all the problems in the mid-east, indeed the world will be over. Nirvana is just around the corner.

Where have I heard that before?

[Violet_Crumble]

5. You tell us...

As you've the only person I've ever seen say that, and it wasn't the slightest bit at all what bluesoul said, why don't you tell us all where you've heard that before? Definately not in this forum, that's for sure...

Violet...

[bluesoul]

6. I was talking about

the policy of occupation and illegal settlements, NOT Israel's existence Rini! But as so many times you like to twist other people's words. Which say a lot to me..

[rini]

7. corruptiom

"If it were not for Israel and their policy, I would bet Arafat would be without the support of the Palestinians and wouldn't be in the position he is, since I am sure the Palestinians are aware of the corruption among their leaders..."

The logical extention of this statement is IMO, no Israel, no policies to anger the Palestinians = Arafat would have to be honest. Actually, I would love to see an honest pol anywhere in any country!

[bluesoul]

8. I am afraid

your logic is very flawed...

[drdon326]

9. "Corruption and Arafat are not new things"

i know some people who would give you an argument about that.

[bluesoul]

10. Hmm

What do you mean exactly?

[Aidoneus]

11. like who?

Yasir himself doesn't count.

[drdon326]

12. .

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_topic&forum=124&topic_id=29320#29339

[Aidoneus]

13. the relevance of that is..?

:shrug:

[drdon326]

14. Easy...

I was answering your question.

[bluesoul]

15. What's up

with those accusations of Sharon and his family being involved in corruption. I know they interrogated him about it. Any news?

[Aidoneus]

16. don't quite get the reference

where did Maple suggest that Arafat & corruption do not go well together?