Palestinian authority returns $50 million to Washington
Palestine-Israel-USA, Politics, 2/18/2006

The Palestinian Authority approved Washington's request to return back 50 million dollars of American financial grants dedicated for infrastructure projects in the West Bank and Gaza territories.

The spokesman for the US State Department, Sean McCormack, said that the Palestinian government led by Mahmoud Abbas agreed to send back the sum which was offered to the Palestinians in 2005 to carry out infrastructure projects, after Israel's withdrawal from Gaza and areas in the West Bank.

Washington's request came in the course of reviewing its aid programs to the Palestinian Authority which has started after announcing the sudden and major victory of Hamas Palestine resistance movement in the Palestinian legislative elections in January 2006. The USA says it does not like to provide aids to a government led by Hamas which refuses to recognize Israel.

McCormak justified the request in a statement to press sying this is done in order that these sums from reaching a Palestinian government composed by Hamas.

The US spokesman stressed that the US policy is not to provide aid for Hamas, which is considered as a terrorist group, but he said that Washington seeks means ensures the access of humanitarian aid to the Palestinians.

In order that a government led by Hamas to get direct aid, it has first to give up armed conflict, and recognize Israel and dismantle the weapons of its activists, and agree to previous agreements signed between the Palestinian authority and Israel.

During the past decade, the US gave aid estimated at $1.5 billion to the Palestinians. Most of these assets were transferred to non- governmental organizations.

Previous Stories:
  Bush calls on Hamas to recognize Israel, drop the gun   (2/1/2006)
  US, EU hold Palestinian aid hostage; Hamas rejects it as blackmail   (1/31/2006)
  Bush urges Hamas to become partner in peace in middle east   (1/30/2006)

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