IRAN TRYING TO FOIL PEACE PROSPECTS

Iran Trying to Foil Peace Prospects, Israeli Envoy Charges
Iran is increasing support for anti-Israel terrorists to jeopardize chances for successful Palestinian elections and a resumption of the peace process after the death of Arafat, Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Daniel Ayalon charged Tuesday. Ayalon said Iran has increased funding for the Al-Aqsa Martyrs Brigade, the armed wing of Fatah, providing 70% of its budget. "The Iranians have played an extraordinarily negative role throughout" the 4-year-old Palestinian uprising, said Martin Indyk, a former U.S. ambassador to Israel who heads the Saban Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution. (USA Today)