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Abbas warns of “social, economic catastrophe”
ANKARA - Palestinian leader Mahmud Abbas warned here Monday against a “social and economic catastrophe” in the Palestinian territories if economic assistance does not resume soon. “The loss of financial aid is the main problem, because it threatens to provoke a social end economic crisis in our country,” he told reporters before meeting National Assembly speaker Bulent Arinc.

Abbas told CNN-Turk television earlier that there is “a threat of possible famine” in the territories. Abbas hopes to convince Ankara to use its good relations with Israel, the United States and the European Union to find a compromise that will allow the resumption of financial aid to the Palestinian Authority.
'cause the Turks have such influence over us right now.
Both the EU -- the Palestinians’ main donor with some 500 million euros (about 620 million dollars) a year -- and the United States suspended their assistance after the arrival to power in March of a government led by the radical group Hamas. The West wants Hamas to renounce its armed struggle, accept the principle of a negotiated settlement with Israel and recognize past Israeli-Palestinian agreements; the radical group has so far rejected all three demands.
Posted by: Steve White 2006-04-25
http://www.rantburg.com/poparticle.php?ID=149715