Palestinians call for foreign aid

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-17-2007 12:40

U.S Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) sits across from Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad (R) at the American Embassy in Paris as U.S. Assistant Secretary of State David Welsh (2nd L) and General James Jones (Ret.) (2nd R) attend December 16, 2007. REUTERS/Thomas Samson (FRANCE)

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad says his people need funding to get through the next few months.

He made the call on the eve of a pledging conference where he is seeking over 5 billion US dollars in foreign aid.

Monday's Paris donor conference is a result of last month's Annapolis conference in the US, which re-launched stalled Palestinian-Israeli talks.

After arriving in Paris, Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad said he was encouraged by the support his government received in the lead up to the meeting.

Salam Fayyad, Palestinian Prime Minister, said, "I'm encouraged by the statements of support will come out to be a successful meeting with the requirements."

The British and German governments have already announced a combined 780 million US dollars in aid for the Palestinian economy over the next three years.

The United States announced it intends to donate about 550 million US dollars this year.

The US pledge includes 150 million dollars in direct aid to the Palestinian government in the West Bank. The pledge was announced as Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice travelled to Paris for the conference.

Other pledges from around the world have been flowing in for days, though conference host, France, is not announcing any sums before the meeting.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed hope the conference will be productive.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (R) and Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad are welcomed by France's President Nicolas Sarkozy (C) as they arrive at the Elysee Palace in Paris December 16, 2007. REUTERS/Philippe Wojazer

Mahmoud Abbas, Palestinian President, said, "I think this conference will be very important, because it's coming after Annapolis, and has important objectives. This gathering of countries from all over the world is not only aiming at economic support but also political support. We hope that tomorrow the international community will be on the level of our expectations."

On November 27th, Abbas and Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Olmert met at the Annapolis conference. They agreed to renew the peace effort after seven years of diplomatic deadlock and bloodshed.

The Paris gathering will be the largest conference bringing together world donors to raise funds in support of Palestinian authorities.

But some argue that even if donors fulfill the unprecedented Palestinian aid request, it may still not be enough to stem the economic decline in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.

The World Bank and other financial institutions have said Israel must remove restrictions on Palestinian movement for the economy to improve. But Israel, putting its security first, has so far given no guarantees.

Editor:Zhang Pengfei