Norway prepares first direct aid transfer to PA government
Norway to transfer $10 million to special financial account accessible to PA, two months after recognizing the coalition gov't.
By Associated PressNorway is set to make the first transfer of direct aid to the Palestinians' new government, the foreign minister said Monday - more than two months after the country broke with most Western nations by recognizing the Hamas-led coalition.
"Palestinian Finance Minister Salam Fayyad has now structured a financial account by which we can channel our support," Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said.
Norway soon will transfer U.S. $10 million to that account, Stoere said.
"I urge others to follow," he said.
The creation last year of a Palestinian government led by the militant Hamas, which is committed to Israel's destruction, caused the United States, European Union and others including Norway to withhold direct aid to the Palestinian Authority.
That suspension of direct aid led to an economic crisis in the Palestinian Authority, disrupting health care and other government-funded programs and halting infrastructure projects.
A new Palestinian government - including moderate Fatah party members and independents along with Hamas - took office March 17, and Norway became the first Western country to recognize it.
The EU, U.S. and others, however, have refused to recognize the new Palestinian administration until Hamas agrees to renounce violence, recognizes Israel's right to exist and accepts previous agreements between the Palestinians and Israel.
Norway is not an EU member, but often has followed the bloc's lead in foreign policy matters. Stoere noted Monday that was not always the case, however, particularly in the Middle East.
"We agree on the strategy, but we may not apply the same tactics at every crossroads, he told the Annual Europe Conference in Oslo. We closely follow the 27 members of the EU, but we have to decide for ourselves, and it may happen that we make decisions that are distinctive," Stoere said.
"We need to demonstrate that we are ready to engage, politically and financially, with the Palestinian administration," Stoere said, adding that Norway was talking to all members of the Palestinian coalition. The US and the EU have met some non-Hamas members of the coalition.
Norway's meetings with Palestinian officials also offer the country a means for protesting violence and rocket attacks on Israel launched from the Gaza Strip, Stoere said.
"It has to stop, and we keep on stressing this to the Palestinian leaders," he said, but added that for this to happen we need to engage and work with the their National Unity Government.
"Donor countries must encourage moderate forces in Palestinian areas, showing people there that working together politically, rather than violently, will improve their situation," he said.
"If this Palestinian Unity Government fails, then politics will fail. And the alternative to politics is violence," he said.
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I really hate that my hard earned money are going to fund a terrorist group like Hamas. But be at ease, the current leaders of Norway wont be in power after 2009. They are leading this country on the fasttrack to EUrabia status and most Norwegians will not accept this.
The Norwegian Foreign Minster his family and 20 other Norwegians have volunteered to live in Sederot. Considering the financial aid they are giving to a regime that is currently acting with the destruction of Israel as it's goal, they should live among Israelis to see what their monies bring to the regionl
I applaud you Norway?! Bite me you Pacifist Turd!! (David James Vickery) I hope one of the nukes goes off in Canada and you die a long and slow radiation death from the Jihadi onslaught. Or better yet, you get to live under oppressive Sharia law where you and your children live in mud huts and are beaten regularly with no hope for education. Oh wait, you are likely one of them with this retarded view of the world. You would love to live under Sharia law. What a loser. Death to DJV in Canada!!
Apparently one of the more enlightened countries in the world who believes in democracy US/UK/Isreal pushed for and now decries the result. It's only democracy if our pimp wins. Stop whining!! Unarse the stolen land and stop killing the people. You whine yet even today settlers are taking more land. High marks for Norway, and she will not be alone. They separate true terrorists from true victims, and now comes the expected whining. Sniff it up and get used to it. It is indicative of what is to come.
This can buy toilet paper.
Just look up the definition of Quisling in the dictionary and you will understand Norway yesterday and today...
I hope other countries follow Norway's example because collective punishment is always wrong and it really doesn't help the situation in the least bit. When we start treating people equally in the world, we will start to see a better world for everyone. Sanctions and violence only breeds hatred and more violence, we need to end the vicious cycle.
Don't accuse Norway of being anti-semitic. They seem to like arabs, the brothers of jews.
"I never realizied that after WW2, escaped Nazis went to Norway and their next generation set up the government there. The Euros never cease to be predictable. It`s about time that instead of mocking the Americans, they should learn to be more like them." And, Boris, where do you think the Nazi space scientists went? Yes, America took them in (probably through what is known now as rendition), gave them the best jobs and homes, "and their next generation" are now American citizens some of whome might be inside the American government. What do you say to that? Boris, aren't you more of a European than a Canadian? You forgot so quickly?
The Palestinians are shooting at each other. The Palestinians are using a US copyrighted symbol (Mickey Mouse) to preach the greatness of Terror. David James Vickery if you cannot see a group of people hell bent on terror and hate and lies, than you are have major problems. I do beleive you see it all, the only thing is, is that you hate Jews. As bombs fly over the boarder, the Palestinians do not deserve presents. If you do believe the deserve presents than I know what you are. You are no better than Norway, a country that is in bed with the terror loving people who inhabit the Earth.
those that dont learn from history are doomed to repeat it.they are giving money to gangsters-that are no better than those portrayed in the hollywood versions of the godfather series staring marlin brando-bloody murderers.
And so must Israel Leaders response be " but we have to decide for ourselves, and it may happen that we make decisions that are distinctive," with regard to the UN text quoted and despite Arab refusal of UN Partition , The Blunders of Gaza disengagement , of pals infightings , of Gaza mess , of Oslo understandings and so on are the result of the lack of wisdom , integrity , generosity with an accent of fraud , force and coercion shown not only thru the Mecca deal ect...but also thru that said UN partition driven by the interests , fraud , corruption , expressed by the British and French Mandate mutilatin' Israel borders with natural resources required to sustain viable economy , let alone the fabric of Israel jews society hindered by the said UN partition also rejected by arabs inside Israel , as today ex-MK Bishara case is just an example , There is no whatsoever doubt that all these Diplomacy / Peace proposals promotes the jews transfer from their lands and there lands transfer to arabs as is 2005 Gaza disengagement case , these plans are called peace but are about war process as is now Gaza rockets , as shown thru Leb War 2 , a fermented arab league terror attrition , 2 of our Ex MKs Zeevi and Kahana controversial positions seems more and more desirable , for they may be not about peace but are about security , safety and are certainly takin' the fight to enemies territories instead of bringin' the enemies fight to Israel cities as is now all these Diplomacy / Peace proposals , Arabs refusal to recognize Israel borders , right to exist ect... is muslims inherent .
Norway represent the true EU political trend with regard to the Middle-East affairs, meanin' the fabrication of a 23rd Islamic State at all cost , on Israel back by mutilatin' Israel borders and with increased pressure on Israel political and economical assistance to that end . the Reason is " but we have to decide for ourselves, and it may happen that we make decisions that are distinctive," Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said. " , the fabrication of a 23rd Islamic State at all cost whether thru Fatah , or Hamas , whether both moderate or not , whether PLO//PNA/PA/pals tribes , clans , sub-clans , factions , pal administration agrees or not to renounce violence, recognizes Israel's right to exist or not and accepts previous agreements or not between pals and Israel. the tactic is thru " P.A... health care and other government-funded programs and... infrastructure projects." , There is no whatsoever doubt that Arab league support of pals violence has led to that , There is no whatsoever doubt that Arab league non recognition of Nov. 1947 UN partittion is still very much alive , has not ceased since then , and that the 2002 , Saudia initiative with 2003 US Road Map with EU 5 points plan ( 2006 Franco-Italian-Spanish Peace Plan ) is just a diplomatic process for that aim disguised under the term of 'Peace" , for what is the alternative , "If this Palestinian Unity Government fails, then politics will fail. And the alternative to politics is violence," Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere said." . But isn't it what the UN General Assembly Resolution 181 (Partition Plan) November 29, 1947 , Text: says , Quote " The General Assembly , Having met in special session... Having constituted ....Having received....Considers that the present situation in Palestine (Israel and Mideast ) is one which is likely to impair the general welfare and friendly relations among nations; And why would such situation would impair the welfare and friendly relations among nations , because the same political blunders of the British and French Mandate interests , fraud , corruption , are expressed again today thru Norwegian Foreign Minister Jonas Gahr Stoere statements , "" but we have to decide for ourselves, and it may happen that we make decisions that are distinctive," , and so does Jihad schools of thought , And so must Israel Leaders response be " but we have to decide for ourselves, and it may happen that we make decisions that are distinctive," with regard to the UN text quoted and despite Arab refusal of UN Partition ,
What morons. The money should simply be interdicted. Better yet, simply kill all of Hamas and I-Jihad, ensuring that the moneys do not go to theocrats.
of nazi acting folks settling in Israel today too. Does that bother you?
Hamas is openly claiming to launch rockets at Israel. Norway should be sued to send a message that supporting good or bad terrorists is not an option- and spare us the liberal ideological platitudes about peace.
How about Jews and all freedom loving people boycotting Norway!! And maybe the Israeli government should do more than just stick its thumb in its mouth. Maybe they should recall the ambassador to Norway. Isn't the whole idea of a Jewish State to hit back at people that want to hurt us?
Norway makes it plain that it supports a Hamas goverment, which declares war on the jews and will whipe Israel off the map. I guess that means Norway is an enemy of Israel and should be treated as such, by Israel and other peace loving nations. Last year the Palestinians recieved more monetary aid than ever, the result a barrage of missiles into Israel. Norway's money will help them improve their rocket technology.
Don't we all wish that more countries like that would have heard the Jewish plight during WWII and not fallen for the Nazi propaganda? "They have themselves to blame".
As S'derot is free of Jews and in 1948 Israel. Norway is giving $ a reward. How much money will Norway give the PA if they will be able to liquidate the Jews from Tel Aviv?
I never realizied that after WW 2 , escaped Nazis went to Norway and their next generation set up the government there. The Euros never cease to be predictable. It's about time that instead of mocking the Americans, they should learn to be more like them.
Thankyou Norway for taking a reasonable approach. Engagement and productive dialogue is never wrong, however much some elements would like to make false accusation of "anti-semitism". Hopefully your actions will encourage others to defy pressure from pro-Israel lobby groups and deal humanely with the people of Palestine.
Now that the infighting seems to have stopped and Fatah and Hamas are uniting to kill Jews again, Norway decides to start their aid to the PA government. Thank you Norway, we understand exactly what you are trying to say. We aren't fools.