 The interim Palestinian Government has refunded $A40 million in aid to the United States because the funds would have reached an authority led by Hamas, which Washington lists as a terrorist group.
"Here! Take it! We don't need your filthy lucre!"
"Thanks. Jones! Make sure you count it!" |
David Welch, assistant secretary of state for Near Eastern affairs, told lawmakers the money was returned on Wednesday and the Palestinian Authority had promised to refund a further $A26 million before Hamas took over. "There should be by the time this interim caretaker government leaves office, no US taxpayer dollars in their (Hamas') hands," Mr Welch told the US House of Representatives International Relations Committee.
"Mahmoud! Call Riyadh! Tell 'em we need more dough!"
"Yes, Your Corpulence!" |
The militant group Hamas, which is responsible for many suicide bombings in Israel, is listed as a terrorist organisation by the United States and the Bush administration cannot under US law give it any direct assistance. Since Hamas' victory in the Palestinian election in January, the US State Department has launched a review of its aid programs and the return of the $A66 million is part of that assessment. |