According to two senior Arafat aides in the territories, Farouk Kaddoumi, the foreign minister of the Palestine Liberation Organization, wrote to donor countries from the group's former headquarters in Tunis stating that since their contributions might be misused by the Palestinian authority in Gaza, they should consult him before paying out funds. Kaddoumi, however, vehemently denies even implying in his letter that the funds might be misused, a refutation supported by another high-ranking P.L.O. official in Cairo who has seen a copy of the missive. Kaddoumi also insists his talk with Arafat was completely cordial. Though disappointed by Arafat's performance, Israeli officials still believe his leadership offers the best chance for a resolution of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Thus this week the Palestinian authority is scheduled to take charge of tourism and social welfare in the West Bank, and health and taxation by the end of the month.
Nobody can undo the agreements, so the only option is to go forward.
The month of November, however, is only half over. Time Inc. All rights reserved.