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CHAIRMAN ARAFAT: I have to offer to the Secretary, Mr. Christopher, our best wishes and regards and thanks for giving us -- although he is very busy on the Syrian track -- to give us a chance to discuss some very important issues together, especially after the election, which had been done here, which was very successful election, and give the proof that our people had voted, not only for the presidential election or the legislative council, but the vote was the peace process, the mandate for the peace process, which is a very important signal and especially this big number and big issue of the voters who are participating in the voting, especially the number of the women were more than the number of the men, which, for us, we are proud of it, we are very proud of it. And again, I have to thank your excellency for this very fruitful discussion which we have done just now, and I promise you that we will follow up with this peace process with all our ability. And we are sure we will do with your support this peace process in the accurate way and to its main target. Thank you very much.
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman. It is a great pleasure to be here at the entrance to Gaza. I have a chance to congratulate the Chairman in person on the elections. I also want to congratulate the Palestinian people. Their turnout in very large numbers is a very strong reflection of their commitment to democracy. Of course, these elections are only one step toward the organization of an entity here. Now the other institutions of local government need to be put in place. The Palestinian Council needs to be convened. There needs to be established an independent judiciary so as to ensure respect for law and human rights.
The Chairman and I discussed it is also essential for the members of the Council to fulfil their commitment to amend the covenant and also to take all possible steps to prevent terror. As the Palestinians go about these crucial tasks of organization, they will certainly have the strong backing of the United States. We will make every effort to mobilize international support for economic development and democratization, including our own bilateral assistance programs. I am pleased to announce that the United States will be allocating $2.7 million to help with the democratization process in Gaza and on the West Bank.
Mr. Chairman, in just two and a half years the peace has begun to bring great benefits to the Palestinian people as can be seen here in Gaza and elsewhere. You have gained control of your lives, you have conducted democratic elections. Now I hope you will have the chance to build a society based upon principles of political and economic freedom, and I want to ensure you that we will stand by you and the Palestinian people as we have in the past as you go about this task. Thank you very much.
CHAIRMAN ARAFAT: Please convey to his excellency, the President, my best wishes and regards and thanks.
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Thank you very much.
QUESTION: My question to Mr. Prime Minister will have two parts. First, regarding Palestinian ladies and prisoners. What should the government doing to Jews to help Palestinians in this issue. The second part, regarding his supporters, how do you see his supporters will be affected by the results of Israeli elections if the Likud on the right wing party's success in this election. Thank you.
SECRETARY CHRISTOPHER: Could you repeat the first question? I did not quite understand it.
QUESTION:<
