Page 23 - 031318

Groton Daily Independent
Tuesday, March 13, 2018 ~ Vol. 25 - No. 242 ~ 23 of 46
Hamdallah’s visit comes amid a time of crisis in Gaza. The economy has been devastated by three wars between Hamas and Israel, and a decade-long blockade by Israel and Egypt meant to weaken the militant group.
Amid warnings of a looming humanitarian catastrophe, the White House was hosting a gathering of international representatives Tuesday to discuss economic development projects and the dire situation.
Hamas is sworn to Israel’s destruction, and the U.S., Israel and other Western allies consider Hamas a terrorist group. White House envoy Jason Greenblatt has blamed Hamas for wreaking devastation on the territory.
“The challenge will be determining which ideas can be realistically implemented in light of the fact that the Palestinians of Gaza continue to suffer under the authoritarian rule of Hamas,” he said in a statement. The United Nations Mideast envoy also condemned the attack, calling it a “grave incident” whose per-
petrators should be brought to justice.
Nickolay Mladenov said until the “legitimate” Palestinian Authority takes power in Gaza, Hamas is respon-
sible for enabling the internationally backed government to work without fear of intimidation, harassment and violence.
The sewage plant in question was envisioned in 2007 after overburdened sewage reservoirs collapsed, killing ve villagers.
The World Bank, European Union and other European governments have paid nearly $75 million in fund- ing. The Hamas takeover, the ensuing Israeli-Egyptian blockade, power shortages and con icts delayed the opening of the project for four years.
Besides the old reservoirs, the plant will receive wastewater from four towns and villages. After treat- ment, the water will be transferred for irrigation and the remainder will be safely dumped to the sea.
No term limit could allow Xi to be bold on Hong Kong, Taiwan By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN, Associated Press
BEIJING (AP) — China’s move to scrap term limits and allow Xi Jinping to serve as president inde nitely puts him on track to deal with some of the country’s weightiest long-term sovereignty challenges, espe- cially the fates of Hong Kong and Taiwan.
The question is, will Xi bet big on bold moves that could result in potentially disastrous consequences?
Hong Kong offers a delicate initial test. Since passing from British to Chinese rule in 1997, the nancial hub has operated as a “special administrative region,” retaining its own legal and economic system and enjoying a considerable degree of autonomy from Beijing.
That arrangement was supposed to last 50 years, until 2047, but calls for political reform in the city and what many see as Beijing tightening its controls and encroaching on freedoms there have created rising tensions.
Earlier this month, a member of the all-powerful Politburo Standing Committee delivered a stern warn- ing to Hong Kong delegates to China’s rubber-stamp parliament over the central government’s limits of tolerance.
“Using the high degree of autonomy to reject, ght and erode the central government’s comprehensive jurisdiction is absolutely not allowed,” Zhao Leji told members of the National People’s Congress, which passed a constitutional amendment Sunday abolishing presidential term limits, opening the door for Xi to rule for as long as he wants.
Hong Kong activists had already been set on edge by the disquali cation of pro-democracy lawmakers from the city’s Legislative Council and the apparent abduction by Chinese security forces of several men who published salacious tomes about China’s leadership.
Still, Hong Kong remains one of the world’s freest economies and a window to the outside for the Chi- nese nancial system, which operates under much tighter restrictions. The cosmopolitan city of 6 million, with its vibrant tourism, arts and education sectors, also remains a beacon to many aspiring Chinese.
“I don’t think bold action is necessary with respect to Hong Kong,” said Michael Mazza of the American