My suggestion to Egypt about Gaza border

http://www.voanews.com/english/2008-01-30-voa33.cfm

snip

The leaders of the two main rival Palestinian factions are in Cairo for talks on the crisis at the border between Egypt and the Gaza Strip. Egyptian authorities view the open border as a security risk and want to reach a solution as quickly as possible. But Hamas and Fatah are showing little willingness to compromise. VOA Correspondent Challiss McDonough has more from Cairo.

In an effort to solve the border crisis, Egyptian officials held urgent talks in Cairo with officials from the Fatah-led Palestinian Authority and with leaders of the Hamas movement that controls Gaza. But the hostility between the two groups was evident. Each side issued angry statements criticizing the other and expressing their determination not to compromise on their demands.

snip

Egyptian state media are reporting that Egyptian security forces will move to completely seal the border in the next few days. The state-run AI-Ahram newspaper said the beginning of next week will be the last chance for Gazans to return home.

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It may sound crazy but hear me out on this suggestion. Even if Egypt needs to seal the border in the next few days I suggest that Egypt establish an "economic zone" in their territory around the border. Egyptian merchants would be able to establish businesses there. Then I suggest that the border be opened for the issuing of "day passes." Gazans would be able to obtain a one day shopping pass to enter the Egyptian economic zone and do business. They could obtain goods and also contract services. It would be jobs for many Egyptians and a humanitarian provision for the Gazans so they can obtain goods and services. If someone abuses the one day pass system simply refuse to give them another one day pass for a penalty period of time. But I think this would be an extremely successful and safe endeavor that would benefit the poor people in both Egypt and Gaza. It would be simple to issue a photo ID right on the border with a digital camera and printer so you would issue each pass on the spot, and take it back on the resident's return. Think about it. I'd sure do it and I'd do it quickly, there's no time better than now when a win-win idea comes up (especially in the Middle East!)

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