EU delivers aid check with warning to Hamas

[barb162]

EU delivers aid check with warning to Hamas
Palestinian gunmen storm government ministries, trade fire with security forces

Compiled by Daily Star staff

Tuesday, March 21, 2006

Hamas was given a stark reminder of the challenges awaiting it in power Monday as the European Union stood by threats to cut aid and gunmen attacked government ministries.

A day after presenting a Cabinet list, notable by its absence of other parties, Hamas accused the United States of putting pressure on rival groups to shun the new government, leaving the Islamic group to govern alone.

The EU handed the United Nations a check Monday for - 64 million euros ($78 million) in urgent aid for destitute Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, but warned future aid is at risk unless the incoming Hamas government commits to peace.

The money, given to the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, is half of a one-off, emergency deal agreed last month. The EU aid is meant to prevent the collapse of the Palestinian Authority after Israel cut off some $50 million a month in tax revenues it collects for the Palestinians.

snip


http://www.dailystar.com.lb/article.asp?edition_id=10&categ_id=2&article_id=23117

[Andromeda]

1. Good luck with that.

The EU handed the United Nations a check Monday for - 64 million euros ($78 million) in urgent aid for destitute Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and West Bank, but warned future aid is at risk unless the incoming Hamas government commits to peace.