ISRAEL CUTS TIES WITH P.A.

Israel Cuts Ties with PA
After a discussion Sunday of the security establishment's recommendations on steps Israel should take in the wake of the rise of the Hamas regime, Acting Prime Minister Ehud Olmert summarized the recommendations to be submitted for Cabinet approval: 1) Israel will not hold ties with the Palestinian Authority, which is a hostile authority, and will act to prevent the administrative establishment of the Hamas government. 2) The PA is one authority and does not have two heads; links with it will be reduced and no ties will be held with it. There will be no personal disavowal of the PA Chairman (Abbas). 3) Foreign visitors who meet with Hamas officials will not be received for meetings with Israeli officials. 4) Israel will coordinate with the international community regarding humanitarian assistance for the needs of the Palestinian population, not via the PA. (Prime Minister's Office/IMRA)