mark61
07-04-06, 12:28
The European Commission has temporarily halted direct aid payments to the Palestinian government, which is now led by militant group Hamas.
European Union foreign ministers are due to meet next week to discuss what to do about future aid.
The EU is the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority, which is reliant on foreign aid.
The EU has been threatening to cut off payments unless Hamas renounces violence and recognises Israel.
A European Commission spokeswoman, Emma Udwin, told reporters in Brussels that Hamas had not yet met the international community's conditions.
She said the Commission was adopting "a policy of maximum prudence" so as not to pre-judge the European ministers' discussions in Luxembourg on Monday.
Hamas, which took office last month under Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, has said any suspension of EU funds would be a collective punishment on the Palestinian people.
However, it has already said it would turn to the Islamic world to make up any shortfall in funding from the West.
The Palestinian Authority has received about $1bn a year in aid from the EU and US since its foundation in 1994.
See how the EU and US fund the Palestinians
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41273000/gif/_41273938_eu_us_aid2_pie416.gif
1: Distributed through World Bank $85m
2: For Isr/Pal integration $12m
3: For UN relief (UNRWA) $77m
4: Food aid $35m
5: Humanitarian aid $33m
6: Special projects $24m
7: Infrastructure $72m
8: Other donations by member states $262m
EU TOTAL: $600m
1: Unused funds from 2003/04 financial year $175m
2: To pay PA debts $20m
3: Spending on new Gaza infrastructure $50m
4: USAID projects $155m
US TOTAL: $400m
Sources: EU, US
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4887226.stm
Interessant. Dat zou betekenen dat de VS meer geld geeft aan de Palestijnen dan aan Israël.
Achterlijke beslissing, overigens. Vooruitzichten voor de Palestijnen zijn in jaren niet zo slecht geweest.
European Union foreign ministers are due to meet next week to discuss what to do about future aid.
The EU is the largest donor to the Palestinian Authority, which is reliant on foreign aid.
The EU has been threatening to cut off payments unless Hamas renounces violence and recognises Israel.
A European Commission spokeswoman, Emma Udwin, told reporters in Brussels that Hamas had not yet met the international community's conditions.
She said the Commission was adopting "a policy of maximum prudence" so as not to pre-judge the European ministers' discussions in Luxembourg on Monday.
Hamas, which took office last month under Prime Minister Ismail Haniya, has said any suspension of EU funds would be a collective punishment on the Palestinian people.
However, it has already said it would turn to the Islamic world to make up any shortfall in funding from the West.
The Palestinian Authority has received about $1bn a year in aid from the EU and US since its foundation in 1994.
See how the EU and US fund the Palestinians
http://newsimg.bbc.co.uk/media/images/41273000/gif/_41273938_eu_us_aid2_pie416.gif
1: Distributed through World Bank $85m
2: For Isr/Pal integration $12m
3: For UN relief (UNRWA) $77m
4: Food aid $35m
5: Humanitarian aid $33m
6: Special projects $24m
7: Infrastructure $72m
8: Other donations by member states $262m
EU TOTAL: $600m
1: Unused funds from 2003/04 financial year $175m
2: To pay PA debts $20m
3: Spending on new Gaza infrastructure $50m
4: USAID projects $155m
US TOTAL: $400m
Sources: EU, US
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/4887226.stm
Interessant. Dat zou betekenen dat de VS meer geld geeft aan de Palestijnen dan aan Israël.
Achterlijke beslissing, overigens. Vooruitzichten voor de Palestijnen zijn in jaren niet zo slecht geweest.