UPDATE 1-World Bank says relations with Hamas up to board
Reuters
Date: 04-21-06
WASHINGTON, April 21 (Reuters) - The World Bank will continue 10 existing development projects in Palestinian-ruled areas but won't start new ones until its board of member countries decides how to proceed with the new Hamas-led Palestinian government, a senior bank official said on Friday.Major donors like the United States and European Union -- both influential World Bank shareholders -- have both cut off assistance to the aid-dependent Palestinian Authority after Hamas refused to recognize Israel's right to exist, renounce violence or accept interim peace deals.
The freeze covers all direct aid to the government and payment of public employees' salaries with funds channeled through a World Bank-managed reform fund.
The EU and United States view Hamas as a terrorist organization, placing the World Bank in an awkward dilemma on how to deal with the Palestinian government, which has warned of economic collapse within months.
"We have ongoing programs started before the new government came into power and all we're looking at is completing and implementing those projects," said Christiaan Poortman, the bank's vice president for the Middle East and North Africa.
Poortman said the bank is in contact with agencies implementing the projects.
"Whatever contact we have is only to guarantee successful implementation of those projects" Poortman added.
Source
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