Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Politics : FREE AMERICA -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: goldworldnet who wrote (2153)	4/7/2006 3:04:09 PM
From: Proud_Infidel	Read Replies (2) \| Respond to of 14758

US freezes aid to Palestinian government Reuters ^ \| 4-7-06 \| Staff WASHINGTON (Reuters) - The United States has decided to suspend direct assistance to the Hamas-led Palestinian government, while increasing humanitarian aid to the Palestinians through U.N. agencies, the State Department said on Friday. "Because the new Hamas-led Palestinian government has failed to accept the Quartet principles of non-violence, recognition of Israel, and respect for previous agreements between the parties, the United States is suspending assistance to the Palestinian government's cabinet and ministries," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. Quoting a statement by Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, he said the suspension would be lifted if the Palestinian Cabinet met the terms laid out by the Quartet -- the United Nations, the United States, the European Union and Russia. "The path back to the road map is clear: acceptance of the three principles. If it accepts the Quartet principles or a new government comes to power that accepts them, funding can be restored," the statement said. U.S. humanitarian aid to the Palestinians through U.N. relief agencies and non-governmental organizations that are not affiliated with the Palestinian Authority would be increased by 57 percent this year to $245 million, he said. The aid plan also includes an additional $42 million to strengthen civil society and independent institutions, the statement said. Earlier on Friday, the EU Commission said it had halted payments to the government because the new cabinet had not recognized Israel's right to exist or renounced violence. Hamas' charter officially calls for Israel's destruction. The decision by the EU, which regards Hamas as a terrorist group, was condemned by Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, a senior Hamas leader whose cabinet took office last week.