http://www.gulf-times.com/site/topics/article.asp?cu_no=2&item_no=135373&version=1&template_id=37&parent_id=17
Palestinian govt to be judged by actions: EU Published: Wednesday, 28 February, 2007, 08:46 AM Doha Time JERUSALEM: The European Union yesterday played down prospects of a swift resumption of direct aid to the Palestinian Authority, saying the policies and actions of a unity government would be assessed over time. EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner, at the start of a visit to Israel and the occupied West Bank, said a government President Mahmoud Abbas’ Fatah faction and the Islamic militant group Hamas agreed to form should “respond” to the demands of the Quartet of Middle East mediators. “We will judge this government by its actions,” she added. European officials and Western diplomats said the EU’s review of the new government’s programme and actions would take time and a temporary aid mechanism, which bypasses the Hamas-led government, would remain in place for as long as needed. The response dimmed Palestinian hopes for a quick resumption of direct assistance from the European Union once the unity government is formed. The EU is part of the Quartet, along with the United States, Russia and the United Nations. Hamas had also held out hope of receiving an infusion of funds from Saudi Arabia, which brokered the unity government deal that calmed weeks of Palestinian factional warfare in which more than 90 people were killed. But a European official said the Saudis have since made clear that any money would be earmarked for infrastructure and development projects, and not directly support the new government. The Quartet cut off direct aid to the Palestinian Authority after Hamas came to power in a January 2006 election. The unity deal, signed earlier this month in Makkah, contains a vague promise to “respect” Israeli-Palestinian pacts. But the agreement did not commit an incoming government to abide by those pacts, nor to recognise Israel and renounce violence as the Quartet has demanded. Though France said it would be “disposed to co-operate” with the unity government, other EU member states have told Abbas the coalition must clearly recognise Israel, renounce violence and accept interim deals for the embargo to end, Palestinian officials said. The officials said the key to ending the embargo was in getting the United States to lift restrictions on financial dealings with the new government. Local, regional and international banks have balked at transferring funds directly to the Palestinian Authority since Hamas formed a government in March 2006. – Reuters +++ ------------------------ Yahoo! Groups Sponsor --------------------~--> Yahoo! Groups gets a make over. See the new email design. http://us.click.yahoo.com/hOt0.A/lOaOAA/yQLSAA/TySplB/TM --------------------------------------------------------------------~-> -------------------------- Want to discuss this topic? Head on over to our discussion list, [EMAIL PROTECTED] -------------------------- Brooks Isoldi, editor [EMAIL PROTECTED] http://www.intellnet.org Post message: osint@yahoogroups.com Subscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] Unsubscribe: [EMAIL PROTECTED] *** FAIR USE NOTICE. This message contains copyrighted material whose use has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. OSINT, as a part of The Intelligence Network, is making it available without profit to OSINT YahooGroups members who have expressed a prior interest in receiving the included information in their efforts to advance the understanding of intelligence and law enforcement organizations, their activities, methods, techniques, human rights, civil liberties, social justice and other intelligence related issues, for non-profit research and educational purposes only. We believe that this constitutes a 'fair use' of the copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use this copyrighted material for purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use,' you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. For more information go to: http://www.law.cornell.edu/uscode/17/107.shtml Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/ <*> Your email settings: Individual Email | Traditional <*> To change settings online go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/osint/join (Yahoo! ID required) <*> To change settings via email: mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
