International Christian Embassy Jerusalem, Dec. 4, 2002

The US administration has stated for the first time that the Palestinian Authority has not been complying with obligations outlined in peace accords with Israel. But President Bush invoked a national security "waiver" on Monday to prevent the PLO and PA from suffering US sanctions that are required by law in such circumstances.

In the official letter sent to Secretary of State Colin Powell authorizing the "downgrading" of the PLO’s diplomatic status, the President also states that "in view of our interest in helping Israel and the Palestinians end the ongoing violence and resume negotiations, that invoking the waiver… is in the national security interests of the United States."

According to one US official the get-out clause enables the US to avoid "damaging ongoing diplomatic efforts on the Israeli-Palestinian front and in the region generally," referring to America’s ongoing attempts to disarm Iraq.

Although the 180-day sanction would have been nothing more than a slap on the wrist for the PLO representation in Washington which is minimal - it is the first formal recognition from the US administration that the Palestinian leadership has failed to live up to its commitments to the United States and Israel, including a renunciation of terrorism and acts of violence.

The US administration is obligated to submit a report to Congress every six months outlining the progress made by the PLO in its capacity as the Palestinian Authority in halting terror, recognizing Israel’s right to exist in peace and security, but has faced criticism for its willingness to whitewash the PLO’s record in previous reports.

Since calling on the Palestinians to elect new leadership not corrupted by terror in June, President Bush has come under increased pressure to show that the US administration is serious in its demands, something that even now many Israelis question.