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EU warns Palestinians of
aid cutoff

SPECIAL TO WORLD TRIBUNE.COM
Thursday, March 23, 2006

LONDON — For the first time, the European Union has warned of a suspension of aid to the Palestinian Authority because of deteriorating security in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

EU officials said Brussels could not approve aid to any entity that was too dangerous to enable a monitoring effort. They said the torching of EU offices in Ramallah and Gaza City has endangered plans to provide 500 million euros to the Palestinians in 2006.

Officials said the PA has been unable to protect EU personnel or interests in the Gaza Strip. They said most EU personnel have left the area, the exception being monitors at the Rafah border terminal. The monitors live in Israel, Middle East Newsline reported.

"We are the ones that have provided steadfast help and substantial support to the Palestinian people, and of course, the Palestinian people will be the first ones to suffer from a breakdown in law and order," EU External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner said on Wednesday. "And therefore this has really to stop as quickly as possible."

On March 14, Fatah and Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine insurgents attacked and torched EU offices as well as the British Cultural Center in Gaza City. About a dozen foreigners were also held hostage in wake of a backlash against the Israeli capture of six Palestinian insurgents held in custody in the West Bank town of Jericho.

On March 20, the EU relayed 64 million euros to the United Nations Refugee Works Agency. The figure was 50 percent of emergency aid approved in February in wake of the Hamas victory in Palestinian legislative elections.

In a statement in Brussels, Ms. Ferrero Waldner warned of a suspension of aid to the PA and Palestinians unless security was assured. She said such a prospect would not reflect any EU intention to punish the Palestinians.


Copyright © 2006 East West Services, Inc.

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