Palestinian Authority Income Up By Fighting Corruption

Here's a good piece on the scale of corruption in the Palestinian Authority. Acording to PA daily, Al Hayat Al Jadida, income at the Palestinian Authority rose 27% in 2004 by fighting corruption and smuggling.

In addition, PA Ministers are getting some fancy cars. Here's a translated excerpt from the report:

"...The ministers and the members of the Legislative Council have begun receiving their new Audi cars, of the A6 and A4 models, which are expensive cars. The cost of the first model is $76,000 and the latter one is $45,000...

“How can it be that the Ministry of Finance cannot guarantee a sum of 150 shekels [US$35] for one soldier’s salary, while it can guarantee a sum of $76,000 for a new car for a minister, who already has an excellent government car in very good condition. The proof that some of the older cars are still in very good condition … is that their owners refuse to hand [the old car] in, in exchange for the new one, but rather, some of [the ministers] deceive and manipulate in order to keep both.”