17 February 2004	Tuesday	25 Zilhaj 1424

RAMALLAH, Feb 16: A Palestinian deputy known for his outspoken criticism of veteran leader Yasser Arafat's handling of government finances, said on Monday he had snubbed an invitation to testify before a US congressional panel on corruption within the Palestinian Authority (PA).

Abdeljawad Saleh said in a statement that he had been invited to testify before the House of Representatives' committee on financial services, which is currently investigating "the mismanagement of funds by the Palestinian Authority's chairman (Yasser Arafat) and rampant corruption within the authority".

"I refused to testify before the US Congress, which is one of the staunchest enemies of our people's rights, labels our struggle terrorism and finances dozens of war crimes perpetrated by Israel," the statement said.

"I call however on the Palestinian people to fight corruption... and invite the authority and its president to implement the programme of reforms proposed by the Palestinian Legislative Council instead of leaving the door open for those responsible for the drama that befell our nation to meddle" into our affairs, it said.

Mr Saleh co-signed a 1999 petition with fellow MPs and Palestinian intellectuals accusing the PA of "systematic corruption" and of "having sold out our motherland for riches that benefit corrupted people".

After a 1998 government reshuffling, provoked by a damaging 1997 parliament report on government corruption, Mr Saleh refused to continue as a minister without portfolio, accusing Mr Arafat of having kept corrupt ministers in place. A former IMF technocrat, Salam Fayad was appointed Palestinian finance minister in June 2002. -AFP