GAZA CITY, 31 July 2005 — Middle East quartet envoy James Wolfensohn promised Palestinians in the impoverished Gaza Strip a “better life” after Israel’s planned pullout, following talks with Palestinian leader Mahmood Abbas. “I think it is extremely important that the Palestinian people understand that this is not now just another political game,” Wolfensohn told reporters.

“This withdrawal has to lead to a better life for the Palestinians living here and in the northern West Bank and hopefully throughout the occupied territories,” he said. “I am well aware that among the average Palestinians in the street in Gaza there are some measure of uncertainty and reluctance to feel hopeful. I can understand that but ... it is going to be possible to deliver a better future.”

Wolfensohn, a former World Bank chief, was appointed by US President George W. Bush as the “disengagement envoy” of the Middle East quartet, which groups the United States, Russia, the European Union and United Nations. He has been tasked by the Group of Eight with drawing up an economic support plan for the Palestinian Authority by the end of September.

Israel is to pull out all its soldiers and 8,000 settlers from the territory after a 38-year occupation in an operation starting in mid-August, its first withdrawal from Palestinian territory. Abbas stressed the need for coordination with Israel so that the pullout could be done peacefully. Presidential spokesman Nabil Abu Rudeina said Abbas discussed with Wolfensohn “ways of rebuilding infrastructure destroyed (by Israel) in the Gaza Strip following the withdrawal.” The meeting focused in part on ways to use a three-billion-dollar financial aid package pledged to the Palestinian Authority by G-8 nations at their summit earlier this month. Wolfensohn, who was also to meet with Palestinian Civil Affairs Minister Mohammad Dahlan, suggested a plan to recycle rubble from settler homes that are to be destroyed following the pullout, using the material to build Palestinian homes.

“Actually the cement and bricks can be reused in Gaza, this is not something that hurts Gaza or the private sector. It is something that can be reused here as it is reused in many other countries.” Wolfensohn added: “I believe this matter is likely to be resolved in the next days.” About two thirds of Gaza’s 1.3 million Palestinian residents live in abject poverty in one of the most densely populated places on the planet. Wolfensohn has said aid programs must be applied immediately after the Israeli pullout so the Palestinian population can see “tangible” help.

The quartet is the principal sponsor of the Middle East peace road map, which targets the creation of an independent Palestinian state alongside a secure Israel. It has made little progress since its launch in June 2003. One unresolved post-pullout question remains how Palestinians from the Gaza Strip will cross over into the West Bank or Egypt. Wolfensohn has begun negotiations with Israel and the Palestinians to allow “secure passages” to avoid isolating the Gaza Strip from the outside world after the Israeli departure.

Another point up for discussion was the repair and eventual reopening of Gaza airport, which was seriously damaged by the Israeli army, as well as potentially building a port. Israeli Deputy Prime Minister Shimon Peres said Thursday Israel has no intention of sealing off the Gaza Strip after the pullout.