Canada has ended all relations including aid with the new
Palestinian government, Ottawa announced Wednesday shortly after
the Hamas government formally took power.
The decision made Canada the first country besides Israel to cut
off aid to the new government of Palestine.
"The contingency is that until such time as we see a change in
position from the Hamas government and the Palestinian Authority,
there will be no direct contact, and there will certainly be no aid
flowing through that government," Foreign Affairs Minister Peter
MacKay told reporters on Wednesday.
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In an earlier statement, MacKay said the stated platform of the
Hamas government "has not addressed the concerns raised by Canada
and others concerning non-violence, the recognition of Israel and
acceptance of previous agreements and obligations, including the
roadmap for peace".
"A clear commitment by the Hamas government to the principles
that we and the international community have outlined remains an
essential precondition for Canada to resume any assistance to the
Palestinian Authority," he said.
Hamas opposes peace talks and has rejected international calls
to renounce violence, recognize Israel and accept previous
agreements designed to achieve peace in the Middle East, he
said.
In the same statement, International Co-operation Minister Josee
Verner stressed the distinction between aid to the Palestinian
Authority and to Palestinians, promising Canada will continue to
support the humanitarian needs of the Palestinian people.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas swore in the 24-member Hamas
cabinet Wednesday, ending a two-month transition period since
Hamas' election victory.
Youssef Rizka, the newly-installed Palestinian information
minister, said the Canadian position shows obvious bias.
He said the Canadian government should be asking Israel to admit
it is occupying Palestinian land, according to reports.
Israel suspended its monthly tax transfers to the Palestinian
Authority after Hamas' election victory last month.
(Xinhua News Agency March 30, 2006)
