Archives for March 1st, 2006

What’s the sound of one euro flushing?

Here’s a timeline of some recent events, with regard to EU funding:

December 2005: Tightening the belt — EU president Britain suggests cutting regional aid to Eastern Europe by 10%. The EU needs to save money, the budget needs to be trimmed.

January 28, 2006: Hamas wins — The terrorist group Hamas wins Palestinian parliamentary elections. The group is on the EU’s list (pdf) of terrorist organizations. According to Article 2 of the EU’s common position (pdf) the European Community "shall ensure that funds, financial assets or economic resources… will not be made available, directly or indirectly, for the benefit of persons, groups or entities listed in the Annex." (i.e. Hamas)

January 30, 2006: The EU gets tough –The European Union threatens to cut off financial support unless Hamas renounces violence, recognizes Israel, and eats its vegetables. The EU also drafts a strongly worded statement that "violence and terror are not compatible with democratic processes."

February 1, 2006: The Cartoon Controversy — In the course of a few days, Palestinians, angry about Danish newspaper cartoons: take over the EU commission’s office in Gaza; throw a bomb at the French cultural center in Gaza City; briefly kidnap a German teacher; attack the German consulate; organize a boycott of European goods; burn a helluva lot of flags; and threaten to kill any Scandinavians they can get their hands on. (Many flee) EU officials wonder why people aren’t reading their strongly worded statements against violence.

February 5, 2006: ‘Tis but a scratch! — An internal investigation by Palestinian Attorney-General Ahmed al-Moghani reveals that $700 million dollars are "missing" from the Palestinian Authority coffers, most of it "squandered" and "stolen." Among some of the highlights: "a fictitious pipe factory funded by $2 million in Italian aid money."

February 21, 2006: Hamas PM — It’s announced that senior Hamas official Ismail Haniya will head the new administration as Prime Minister.

February 27, 2006: A generous offer — Haniya tells reporters that Hamas is "ready to consider talks" with Israel if it accepts all of its demands. The Hamas charter, which calls for the "obliteration" of Israel, remains unchanged.

February 27, 2006: It’s raining euros — The EU announces it will give 120 million euros in aid to the Palestinians. It also unblocks 17.5 million euros that were frozen in a trust fund. European External Relations Commissioner Benita Ferrero-Waldner says the EU isn’t sure if it will support the new government or not. She says: "We have to see what will be the programme of the government. We have to give them time."

Fun Facts! (clip ‘n’ save)

* The EU is the biggest donor to the Palestinians, giving 500 million euros last year. That’s roughly what EU members Slovenia, Estonia, Cyprus and Malta all got in cohesion funds, combined.

* Arafat managed to divert upwards of a billion dollars into private accounts during his tenure. The EU claims that (luckily) none of its funds were among those "diverted" or "used to finance illegal activities." Which is a relief.

* Why wasn’t Uno sciocco e il suo denaro son presto separati considered as an EU motto?