A far-reaching plan drafted by Shimon Peres, Minister-Without-Portfolio, for improving the lives of Arabs in the occupied territories–mainly those living in the depressed Gaza Strip–was adopted by the Cabinet today. No specific sum was ear-marked but each of the ministries involved will be asked to appropriate the necessary funds to carry out its phase of the program. Details of the plan were disclosed by Cabinet secretary Michael Arnon. It specifically refrained from mentioning “refugees” in any context but referred to the intended beneficiaries of the plan as “inhabitants of the territories.” This was taken to mean that the measures would apply equally to refugees residing in camps and the general population. The plan calls for improving employment opportunities, establishing centers for industry and marketing, enlarging the scope of vocational training and vocation schools, improve agricultural production methods and improve social services, housing and living conditions.
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