Wolfensohn in Jerusalem with G8 pledge

TEL AVIV, Israel, July 9 (UPI) -- A special envoy for the Quartet for the Middle East Peace Process said Group of Eight leaders endorsed his proposed aid package for the Palestinian Authority.

James Wolfensohn, the Quartet's special envoy on the upcoming Israeli withdrawal of Gaza, returned to Jerusalem from Scotland with word that G8 leaders approved his plan to "stimulate a global financial contribution" of up to $3 billion a year from 2006 to 2008. The aid would be intended to help revitalize the Palestinian economy after Israel withdraws form the Gaza Strip and evacuates settlers from parts of the northern West Bank.

The pullback is to begin in mid-August.

The Quartet for the Middle East Peace Process is made up of the United States, the European Union, Russia and the United Nations.

Wolfensohn's office said he would meet during the next week with Palestinian and Israeli leaders to work on coordinating border crossings and trade corridors, as well as connecting the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

Wolfensohn also planned to talk with regional leaders about building seaports and airports in the Gaza Strip, and about the disposition of settlers' houses and greenhouses after the disengagement.