World donors help Palestinians

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Source: CCTV.com | 12-18-2007 08:38

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad gestures during the closing press conference at an international donors conference for the Palestinian state, Paris, Monday, Dec. 17, 2007. (AP Photo/Thibault Camus)

The world has rallied to support the embattled Palestinian government. More than seven billion US dollars in financial support has been promised.

Palestinian Prime Minister Salam Fayyad has called it part of the process for establishing an independent Palestinian state.

About 90 countries and international organizations were in Paris for Monday's aid conference.

The Palestinian government asked for 5.6 billion US dollars in aid over three years to shore up its struggling economy.

And world donors have promised 7.4 billion US dollars.

Salam Fayyad, Palestinian Prime Minister, said, "Great effort on the part of all out friends in the international community, in terms of indications of support they made at the meeting today, indications of support that we in the Palestinian authority are proud of. We take it as a vote of confidence in our plan going forward."

Two key issues dominated the conference: the need for Israel to ease restrictions on the Palestinians while not compromising on its own security and the fate of Gaza, which has been virtually cut off from the world since Hamas seized control of it in June.

Meanwhile, Israel's Prime Minister has endorsed international effort to bolster the Palestinian economy. But Olmert says, he will not agree to steps that compromise Israel's security.

Israel's Prime Minister Ehud Olmert delivers a speech during a session of parliament in Jerusalem December 17, 2007. REUTERS/Ronen Zvulun (JERUSALEM)

Ehud Olmert, Israeli Prime Minister, said, "We'll do everything to help the development and strengthening of the Palestinian Authority infrastructure, but not at the price of giving up any vital security interests of the state of Israel."

The donors say Israel must ease checkpoints and other travel restrictions in the West Bank for the aid to be effective.

Israel says such measures are instrumental in combating Palestinian militants.

Monday's donor conference is part of international efforts to back re-launching Palestinian-Israeli peace talks after seven years of diplomatic deadlock.

French President Nicolas Sarkozy (C) welcomes U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice (L) as Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas looks on at the start of the international donors conference in Paris Dec. 17, 2007.(Xinhua/Reuters Photo)

Editor:Zhang Pengfei