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Vote monitors begin mission despite Gaza chaos
 JERUSALEM - European Union monitors began Monday fanning out across the Palestinian territories for this monthâs elections despite the growing lawlessness which saw gunmen raid government offices in southern Gaza. Thirty-two EU observers were heading out to the major cities in the West Bank as well as the Gaza Strip where four Europeans have been kidnapped in the last week alone.
| So many hostage candidates, so little time ... |
Chief EU observer Veronique De Keyser told reporters at a press conference in east Jerusalem that the mission was making regular security assessments but would still send two teams to Gaza. âWe assess the situation hour by hour. We will never send people without experience,â said the Belgian MEP.
| Experience in what, being a hostage? |
âMy main concern is safety and security. I will go on Wednesday myself to Gaza to assess the risk... We would never deploy if thereâs a real risk of kidnapping or them being prevented doing their work.â
| Can't you guys observe from, say, Cyprus? |
Posted by: Steve White 2006-01-03 |
