Chirac Calls for Fund to Aid Palestinians

[Scurrilous]

French President Jacques Chirac called Friday for a special World Bank fund to be created to channel international assistance to the Palestinians. Mr. Chirac held talks in Paris with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

<snip>

"As he has done before, President Chirac said it was essential that international aid to the Palestinian people continue.

In remarks to reporters at the Elysee presidential palace, Mr. Chirac said international assistance must be maintained for both humane and technical reasons. He said he would reiterate his plea to the European Union and to other members of the international community.

The European Union is the leading donor in the Palestinian territories, contributing about $650 million a year."

<snip>

"During talks with Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas Friday, Mr. Chirac proposed creating an account managed by the World Bank that could directly pay the salaries of Palestinian civil servants. Many Palestinians have at least one family member employed in the government and are feeling the bite of the reduced assistance.

And because Palestinian security forces also await payment, the impact may increase tensions in an already volatile region."

http://voanews.com/english/2006-04-28-voa17.cfm

[Coastie for Truth]

1. I have called for - AND CONTRIBUTED $$ TO- A Fund to Aid Palestinians

People - to - People.

- together we can save a life. I am not being facetious - and I ask you to join with me.

[Violet_Crumble]

2. What's that got to do with the OP?

Nothing, of course...

Violet...

[Englander]

3. *Ahem*.

--I am not being facetious--

[Scurrilous]

4. EU and Hamas responsive to Chirac plan to pay PA salaries

<snip>

"The European Union and the militant Hamas organization appeared responsive Friday to a plan by French President Jacques Chirac to bypass a freeze on funds to the Hamas-led Palestinian government that would provide salaries the 165,000 Palestinian Authority employees still waiting for March's wages.

Chirac called earlier Friday for the creation of a World Bank fund to pay the salaries of Palestinian officials, his office said after he met with PA Chairman Mahmoud Abbas in Paris.

"Any means that will maintain the authority of the government and the preservation of money and at the same time help the Palestinian people we will study and think about thoroughly," said Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas official.

EU spokeswoman Emma Udwin said the proposal "is not at odds with the position" of the European Commission."

http://www.haaretz.com/hasen/spages/710778.html