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EU: PA Unity Alone Won't Open Coffers

[Jerusalem Post] Herb Keinon - The Hamas-Fatah agreement to form a national unity government is not enough for the Europeans to begin channeling money back into the Palestinian Authority, a senior European diplomat said Wednesday, a day before the EU's foreign ministers are to meet in Brussels to discuss the issue. The European official characterized the PA unity government as "a gesture in the right direction. It is an acknowledgement that there is a problem, but it is not a true step. It is hot air and mirrors." The official said that all the agreement really indicated was that Hamas "is now pretty desperate to get the money flowing from European countries. Some European countries are said to have told the Palestinians that if they go to a unity government the money will start up again, but I don't think that is true." He said he did not feel the EU would alter its policy toward the PA unless there was a "formal commitment and proof on the ground that they will stop all violence, stop brandishing weapons, stop talking about suicide bombings, stop exalting the 72 maidens waiting for the 'martyrs.'"
2006-09-14 01:00:00
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