Last update - 00:00 13/01/2008
Canada pledges $300 million in new aid to Palestinians
By The Associated Press
Canadian Foreign Minister Maxime Bernier on Sunday pledged $300 million in new aid to the Palestinians, according to a statement from the Canadian government.
Bernier said the money, to be allocated over the coming five years, will be used for security and government reform. He said the pledge coincides with a pledge by Israeli and Palestinian leaders to aim for a peace treaty this year, made at the U.S.-sponsored Mideast conference in November.
"While ambitious, I believe this is attainable," he said.
He said the aid would be directed to "Palestinian efforts to promote tolerance and combat hatred and the incitement of violence," according to the statement.
Bernier met with Palestinian leaders in the West Bank city of Ramallah on Sunday. After meeting Palestinian Foreign Minister Riad Malki, Bernier warned that Canada's aid is not unconditional. "We will need to see demonstrable progress in negotiations by both sides, as well as progress in Palestinian reforms."
Later Sunday, Bernier met with Prime Minister Ehud Olmert. On Monday, he is scheduled to other Israeli officials and tour the Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial.