Rice reviewing scholarship grants to Palestinians

[dtotire]

I support her efforts and hope she suceeds.


REYKJAVIK (Reuters) - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Friday she was reviewing a State Department decision to withdraw coveted U.S. scholarship grants to Palestinians in Gaza.

At a news conference on a visit to Iceland, Rice suggested she disapproved of the move cancelling the Fulbright scholarships to seven Palestinian students hoping to pursue advanced degrees at American institutions this fall.

"I can tell you it was a surprise to me," Rice said at a news conference with Iceland's Foreign Minister Ingibjorg Gisladottir. "I am a huge supporter of Fulbrights."

Asked if she would reverse the decision, Rice said: "We'll see what we can do."

The International Herald Tribune newspaper reported earlier that the State Department had withdrawn the Fulbrights from seven Palestinians because Israel had not granted permission for the students to leave Gaza.

[LeftishBrit]

1. Glad to hear that.

I don't often support Rice, but she's doing the right thing here.